This article explains before comparing pet insurance in plain English, so UK pet owners can understand the question being answered before comparing policies or reading the small print.
Comparing pet insurance is a lot more useful once you've done a bit of groundwork first. Without it, it's easy to end up looking at the wrong things, or choosing a policy that seems like good value on the surface but doesn't actually suit your pet.
Here's what's worth sorting out before you start.
Get clear on your pet's medical history
Any condition your pet has already been diagnosed with, treated for, or shown symptoms of before cover starts is likely to be treated as a pre-existing condition. Most policies won't cover those, at least not to begin with.
This doesn't mean insurance isn't worth having. It means knowing what will and won't be covered from the start, so you're not caught out when you come to make a claim.
If your pet had a health issue that's since fully resolved, some policies will consider covering it after an exclusion period. But this varies, and it's a policy detail to check the policy wording directly rather than assuming.
Know which type of cover you're looking for
It helps to have a rough idea of what kind of policy suits you before you start comparing. The differences between accident-only, time-limited, maximum benefit and lifetime cover are significant, and comparing across types without understanding them can be confusing. Our guide to pet insurance types covers this in detail.
Look beyond the monthly premium
The headline price is easy to compare, but it doesn't tell you much on its own. When you're looking at policies side by side, also check:
- The cover limit: how much the policy will actually pay, and whether that resets annually
- The excess: what you'll contribute to each claim, and whether it's a fixed amount or a percentage
- Co-insurance: whether you pay a share of every bill on top of the excess
- Sub-limits: some policies cap certain types of treatment at a lower amount, even if the overall limit looks reasonable
"The headline price is easy to compare, but it doesn't tell you much on its own."
Read the exclusions
All policies have exclusions and it's worth looking at them properly rather than assuming they're all similar. Breed-specific exclusions are a policy detail to check if you have a pedigree pet, as are any restrictions around dental treatment, hereditary conditions or behavioural issues.
Think about your pet's age and breed
Age matters when it comes to pet insurance. Premiums generally increase as pets get older, and some policies won't accept new applications for pets over a certain age. If you're insuring an older pet, it's a policy detail to check what's available and what the long-term renewal terms look like.
Breed can also affect cover and cost, particularly for breeds that are more prone to certain health conditions. This isn't a reason not to insure, but it's useful context when you're comparing.
Check what happens at renewal
Some policies change significantly at renewal. Premiums can rise, conditions your pet has claimed for may be excluded going forward, or terms can change. It's a policy detail to understand how a policy works over time, not just in year one.
None of this needs to take long. A bit of preparation before you start comparing makes the whole process quicker, and means you're more likely to end up with cover that actually works for you and your pet.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice of any kind.