Pet Insurance Policy Types Explained

Annual policy

• Fixed amount per condition
• Condition no longer covered once limit is reached or 12 months from the onset of the condition
• Cannot claim for the same condition again
• Unsuitable for long term illnesses

Per condition policy

• Fixed amount per condition
• Condition no longer covered once limit reached however long it takes as no time limit is set
• Cannot claim for same condition again
• Unsuitable for ongoing illnesses

Life long cover

• Fixed amount per year
• Total claimed per year cannot exceed the limit. This limit is reset upon renewal
• It is possible to claim for same condition again with the same insurer
• Suitable for ongoing or long term illnesses

Cost

Obviously, every brand of pet insurance will have a cost associated with it. The higher the cost, the higher the vetinary fees that the pet insurance will cover. The insurance premium is usually paid monthly or yearly in some cases. Some policies cost as little as £4 per month but these are usually fairly basic policies - they still offer peace of mind but are obviously not as comprehensive as some of the more premium pet insurance policies.

Vet Fees

Depending on what you spend, your pet insurance will cover vet fees from £1000 to £7000. The pet insurance comparison above gives a breakdown of the maximum insured value for vet fees.

Other Considerations

Pet insurance policies can often offer cover for situations other than vet fees and medication - for example, lost & found notices, third-party liability, theft/straying, holiday cancellation and boarding fees. Typically the more expensive pet insurance policies have this sort of cover so it's important to read the small print.

Pet insurance gives peace of mind and security. Some insurance policies cost as little as £4 per month and could literally save you thousands of pounds. Latest figures show that one in three dogs/cats are ill or injured each year - if you consider the fact that the average vets visit is around £300 then pet insurance looks to be a very attractive option.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

It's no different from other forms of insurance - you pay a fee to the provider and then either claim the fees back or in some cases, the provider pays the vets direct. Obviously polices differ and the pet insurance comparison table above gives the options so you can select the most appropriate policy for your needs. It is important to note that some breeds of dogs or cats can incure an extra charge if they are renowned to have health issues.

Pet Insurance Comparison

The main reason most people take out a policy is to cover the uncertainty of vet fees - if your pet requires surgery the cost can literally run into thousands of pounds. If your animal injures a third-party some of the policies can cover you for this eventuality. Some policies pay out on the death of your pet to allow to buy another. Again, it varies but many policies cover the cost of advertising should your pet be lost or stolen. It goes without saying that the more benefits there are, the more (typically) the pet insurance policy will cost but for peace of mind, these premium policies are worthy of consideration.

Health insurance for pet owners

And if you're a human looking for health insurance then you can get a very competitive comparison quote from our friends at www.onlinehealthinsurancequotes.co.uk