Pet insurance

When you take out a pet insurance plan, you’ll pay an annual or monthly premium to a pet insurance provider that’s bespoke to you and your pet. If they have an accident or fall ill, you can claim on your plan to cover the costs of any veterinary bills.

Although there are many types of pet insurance plan available, we only offer lifetime plans. That means whatever vet fee limit you pick, it’ll refresh each year when you renew your plan. You can claim up to the full vet fee limit every year and we’ll continue to provide cover for conditions your pet may develop during their lifetime.

A pet insurance plan will also usually cover some costs if your pet is lost or stolen, passes away, or has legal action taken against them.

Getting a pet insurance quote is easy. All you need to tell us is:

• Your details and address

• Your pet’s age

• Your pet’s breed

• Your pet’s gender

• Your pet’s name

• The price you paid for your pet

• Your pet’s neutered status

Self-insurance is when people put money aside to cover potential vet costs rather than paying for an insurance plan.

The risk with it is that you don't know when your pet might need treatment and how much it will cost.

If you've only been saving for a few months and your pet has an expensive operation it's unlikely you'll have enough set aside. And if your cat or dog needs regular treatment it can quickly chip away at any savings.

If you have a lifetime pet insurance plan your vet fee limit will reset every year you renew. For example, our Complete Care plan would give you £15,000 or £20,000 of cover every year depending on which limit you pick.

Even common issues like cuts and vomiting can cost hundreds of pounds to treat and more serious conditions can easily cost thousands. This is why many people choose to insure their pets.

It depends on your needs and if your pet has pre-existing conditions.

If your pet hasn’t shown signs or symptoms or needed vet treatment, medicine or advice two or more years before your policy start date, our plans should cover the condition (terms apply).

Our Standard Care Pre-existing plan can provide cover for a pet that’s had a more recent health issue. We’ll cover a condition as long as your pet’s been free from signs, symptoms, treatment, medicine or advice for three months before your policy start date.

No, vaccinations aren’t covered by pet insurance because they’re classed as routine procedures.

Self-insurance is when people put money aside to cover potential vet costs rather than paying for an insurance plan.

It's risky because you don't know when your pet needs treatment and how much it costs. You may not have enough to cover it.

For example, you likely won't have enough money to pay for expensive treatment if you've only been saving for a few months. And if your cat or dog needs regular treatment, it can quickly chip away at any savings.

We have more information about self-insurance in our article.

The excess is an amount you pay to an insurer when they pay for a claim. Our excess guide covers more.

Most insurers won't cover pets until they are a few weeks old. But you can get a quote before they reach that age and buy a plan that starts when your pet is old enough.

Our plans cover pets that are at least four weeks old. Other insurers may have different minimum age limits.

Most of our plans have no upper age limit and will cover pets of any age. But some companies may not offer new plans to older pets.

We do charge a 20% co-payment when your pet turns seven at renewal.

Co-payments are a fixed percentage you will pay for your pet's treatment. We calculate this percentage from your vet bill minus the excess.

Our co-payment guide explains more.