Cover types

Types of pet insurance cover

There are four main types of pet insurance cover in the UK. They can look similar on a comparison page, but they work very differently.

Accident-only

Accident-only cover is usually the cheapest and narrowest option. It helps with injuries caused by accidents but does not cover illness. For many owners, that is a big limitation.

Time-limited

Time-limited policies cover a condition for a set period, often 12 months from when symptoms first appear. After that, the condition is excluded even if treatment is still needed.

Maximum benefit

Maximum benefit cover sets a cash limit per condition. There is no 12-month clock, but once the condition limit is used up, the policy stops paying for that condition.

Lifetime

Lifetime cover resets the vet fee limit each year when you renew. It is usually the most comprehensive option for ongoing conditions. Our full article on pet insurance types goes into more detail.