Pet insurance

Taking out pet insurance should have the needs of your pet front and centre. A pet policy protects the furriest - and arguably most adorable - member of your family. Should they suddenly need medical attention after an accident or illness, could you meet the costs of their treatment? The last thing you want to be worrying about is vet fees when your pet is unwell. 

Above all, having cover in place could give you peace of mind knowing that your cat or dog is well-protected.

There are four main policy types you might want to consider for your pet:

• Lifetime – to ensure your pet is covered you must renew your policy every year. This type of policy should cover any new medical illness or injury up to a set amount each year. As long as the policy is renewed it should provide cover for long-term or recurring illnesses for the length of the policy.
• Maximum benefit – a maximum set amount of money is made available to cover each illness or injury your pet may suffer. Once the amount has been paid out, the treatment won’t be covered again.
• Time limited - also known as a 12-month policy. This is different from a maximum-benefit policy as there’s a fixed sum of money made available for each separate illness or injury. The policy will only cover treatment for a specific period of time, usually 12 months from the start of the illness or injury.
• Accident only – this type of policy provides a fixed sum of money for each accidental injury to help towards your pet’s treatment. This usually only covers accidents and not illnesses, with some policies having a time limit on treatment.

• Do your research - if you already own a pet then we know you wouldn't change them for the world. However, if you’re looking to buy one it might be worth doing some research to find out which breeds are prone to certain medical conditions. 
• Keep your pet healthy – if you have to claim on your policy because your pet has fallen ill, your next insurance renewal may be more expensive.
• Multi-pet insurance - if you have more than one cat or dog, consider taking out a multi-pet policy. Some providers offer a discount if you take out more than one pet insurance policy with them. 
• Vaccinations - keeping your pet’s vaccinations up-to-date will not only help protect them but could also lower your premium.
• Excess - If you can afford to pay an increased excess, it could lower your premiums.

How much is pet insurance?

It really depends on the animal, its medical history and the type of cover you’re looking for but some policies start from as little as £3.56* a month.

What details do I need to get a pet insurance quote?

As well as details about yourself e.g. name, date of birth, email address and address, make sure you have these details to hand:

• Your pet’s personal details eg name, breed, gender, their date of birth and whether they’ve been neutered.
• Their vaccination history - are they up to date with their vaccines? 

My pet has a pre-existing medical condition. Can I still get cover?

Most insurers won’t offer cover to a pet with pre-existing medical conditions, as it’s more likely that you’ll have to claim more than once for the original problem. It’s best to get your pet insured when they are young, so that if any health problems occur later in life, you’ll have peace of mind that they’ll be covered.

Does my pet need to be microchipped to get pet insurance?

Microchipping your dog is a legal requirement, and it makes life much easier if your dog goes missing. Although it’s not required by law, microchipping your cat is also a good idea. Not only does it make finding a missing pet much easier, it could also lower your premiums as you could be seen as a responsible owner.

Will I still be able to travel in Europe with my pet after Brexit?

The UK is set to leave the European Union on 31 January 2020, unless a further extension is agreed.

To visit Europe with your pet after Brexit you may need to take some extra measures before you travel. This includes getting a new pet passport, a successful rabies antibody blood test and an animal health certificate by an official vet. The process should take around four months.

For more information around how Brexit may impact travel to Europe, the government has issued guidance if there is a no-deal Brexit. Visit this guide from GOV.UK.