What lifetime cover means
With lifetime cover, the vet fee limit refreshes each year when you renew. If your pet develops a covered condition in year one, it can continue to be covered in later years, as long as you keep renewing and stay within the policy terms.
Why it is useful
Long-term problems such as allergies, arthritis, diabetes, epilepsy or recurring skin issues can cost money every year. Time-limited cover may stop after 12 months. Maximum benefit cover may stop when the condition limit runs out. Lifetime cover is designed to keep going.
Why it costs more
Because the insurer is taking on the possibility of years of treatment, lifetime cover usually has higher premiums. That does not make it right for everyone, but it does explain why comparing it directly with accident-only cover is misleading.
What to check
Look at the annual vet fee limit, excess, co-insurance and renewal wording. The phrase lifetime cover is useful, but the detail still matters. Our jargon buster page gives a shorter definition if you need one.