As pet owners, we cherish the companionship, love, and joy our furry friends bring into our lives. But just like us, pets can face unexpected health issues or accidents—and vet bills can quickly spiral into hundreds or even thousands of pounds. That’s where pet insurance comes in: offering financial protection and peace of mind when you need it most.

This guide breaks down how pet insurance works, what it covers, and how to choose the right policy for your pet and your budget.

What is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance is a type of cover that helps pay for vet bills if your pet gets sick or injured. Depending on the policy, it may also cover additional costs like complementary treatments, behavioural therapy, or dental care.

It won’t usually cover routine care such as vaccinations or neutering, but it’s designed to help when the unexpected happens.

Types of Coverage

1. Lifetime Cover (Most Comprehensive)

Covers your pet year after year, including long-term or chronic conditions, as long as you keep renewing.

Ideal for young pets, as conditions diagnosed while the policy is active are covered for life.

Usually the most expensive, but also the most robust option for peace of mind.

Tip: Insure early while your pet is young and healthy to avoid exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

2. Maximum Benefit

Covers each condition up to a set monetary limit, with no time restriction.

Once you’ve hit the limit for a condition, you can’t claim for it again—even if you renew.

Offers a good middle ground for pets with occasional but treatable issues.

3. Time-Limited

Covers treatment for a condition for a set period (often 12 months) or until the claim limit is used up—whichever comes first.

Once the time or financial limit is reached, the condition is no longer covered—even if symptoms return later.

More affordable, but less useful for ongoing or chronic health problems.

4. Accident-Only Cover

Covers emergency treatment if your pet is injured in an accident. Does not include illness or routine healthcare.

The cheapest type of cover, but also the most limited. Suitable for very healthy pets or as a budget fallback.

Optional Add-Ons You Might Consider

Dental cover: For injury-related or non-routine dental treatments.
Complementary therapies: Covers physio, hydrotherapy, acupuncture etc.
Travel cover: If your pet becomes ill or injured abroad.
Third-party liability: For dogs only—covers damage or injury to others.
Lost pet advertising & rewards: Helps recover costs for finding a lost pet.
End-of-life care: Some insurers contribute towards euthanasia or cremation costs.

Note: Pet insurance is designed for unexpected illness or injury. It generally doesn't cover routine checkups, vaccinations, neutering, or flea/worming treatments. You still need to budget for these ongoing care costs separately.

Self insure with savings vs insurance policy?

Some pet owners wonder if it’s better to skip insurance and just save money each month. Here’s how they compare:

Saving

You set aside money in a savings account and use it if your pet needs treatment.

Works well if your pet remains healthy and only needs minor care.
But unexpected vet bills (e.g. £2,000 surgery) can be hard to cover if you haven’t saved enough.

Pros: No monthly premiums, you keep what you don’t use.

Cons: Risk of not having enough saved if major health issues arise early on.

Insurance

You pay a monthly premium, and the insurer covers vet bills when you claim.

Designed to cover big, unexpected costs like surgery, scans or long-term treatment.
Some insurers offer perks like 24/7 vet helplines or discount schemes.

Pros: Peace of mind, protection from large bills.

Cons: You might pay more in premiums than you claim back if your pet stays healthy.

In Practice

Many owners combine both approaches: take out insurance with a higher excess to keep premiums low, and set aside savings to cover small or routine costs.

What Affects the Cost of Pet Insurance?

Several factors can influence the price you’ll pay for pet insurance. Some are out of your control—like your pet’s breed or age—but others can be managed or tailored to reduce your premiums. Here’s what to know:

🔹 Fixed Factors (You Can’t Control)

Breed: Pedigree and purebred pets tend to cost more to insure due to hereditary risks.
Age: Older pets typically come with higher premiums due to increased health risks.
Health history: Pre-existing conditions may be excluded or come with higher costs.
Location: Vet fees vary by region—urban and high-cost areas often mean higher premiums.

🔸 Adjustable Factors (You Can Influence)

Type of Coverage: Match the level of cover to your pet’s life stage and breed.
Excess & Reimbursement: A higher excess or lower payout % can cut premiums—but balance it with affordability.
Waiting Periods: Most policies won’t pay out in the first 10–14 days. Cover early to avoid exclusions.
Vet Networks: Check if the policy restricts which vets you can use or how it reimburses.

Tip: Don’t overpay for features you don’t need, but avoid underinsuring—it could cost you more later.

Pet Insurance Tips

Not all policies cover the same things. Always check the small print—look out for limits, exclusions, and customer reviews before choosing. Cheaper policies may miss important features.

If your pet has developed a medical condition, a new insurer may not cover it as it will likely be classed as a pre-existing condition. Stick with the same provider if you want continued cover for ongoing issues.

Comparison tools make it easy to see multiple quotes side-by-side. This can help you find better value and identify policies with stronger features or fewer exclusions.

The younger and healthier your pet, the lower your premium—and the fewer conditions that might be excluded. If you wait until they’re older or unwell, insurance can be more expensive and less useful.

Some insurers won’t pay out if your pet isn’t up to date with vaccinations or routine preventative care like flea and worming treatment. Always check the policy conditions.

Some policies charge a fixed amount per claim, others a percentage of the cost. Some combine both. Understand what you’d pay before committing—it can make a big difference when claiming.

How to claim

1

Check your policy documents

Before making a claim, review your pet insurance policy to confirm the condition or treatment is covered and that any waiting periods have passed.

2

Speak to your vet about direct claims

Some veterinary practices offer direct claims, meaning they invoice your insurer directly and you only pay the excess. This can save you from having to pay the full bill upfront. Not all vets offer this, and some may charge a small admin fee, so always ask first.

3

Contact your insurer or log in online

Let your insurer know you want to make a claim—some allow online forms or app-based submissions. They may ask for pre-authorisation for certain treatments.

4

Get a detailed invoice from your vet

Ask your vet for an itemised invoice and any clinical notes. These are usually needed for the claim. If not doing a direct claim, you’ll need to pay the bill first and then submit for reimbursement.

5

Complete the claim form

Fill in your section accurately. Your vet may also need to complete part of the form. Double-check everything before submitting to avoid delays.

6

Submit your claim

Send the completed claim form, invoices, and any supporting evidence to your insurer. Many now accept claims via email or through their portal. Always keep copies for your records.

7

Wait for processing

Most insurers process claims within 10–14 working days. First-time claims may take longer if additional medical history is requested.

8

Escalate if needed

If your claim is rejected and you believe it's unfair, file a formal complaint. If unresolved, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Finding a Pet Insurance Policy

We can’t recommend specific insurance policies, but there are several comparison sites available that let you quickly compare prices, features, and cover levels to find a policy that suits your trip.

Conclusion

Pet insurance helps protect your finances while ensuring your pet gets the care they need. Whether you choose a fully comprehensive lifetime policy or a basic accident-only plan, the key is to get cover in place before problems arise. Compare quotes, understand what’s covered, and tailor the policy to suit your budget and your pet’s lifestyle.

Investing in pet insurance is one more way to show love and responsibility for the furry family members who give us so much joy.

Pet Insurance