Why premiums rise with age
As pets get older, they are statistically more likely to need vet treatment. Insurers price for that risk, which is why renewals often rise even if you have not claimed. Older pets may also have higher excesses or co-insurance, where you pay a percentage of each claim on top of the fixed excess.
Renewal becomes important
If your pet has developed a condition while insured, staying with the same insurer may protect continuity of cover, depending on the policy. Switching can be harder because a new insurer may treat anything in the vet history as pre-existing. This is why renewal documents deserve a proper read each year.
Lifetime cover for older pets
Lifetime cover can be especially valuable for senior pets because ongoing conditions are more common later in life. If the annual limit resets each year and the condition remains covered, it can help with long-term medication and repeat monitoring. It usually costs more, but cheaper short-term cover may run out when you most need it.
Your options
For some older pets, a lower level of cover may be the only affordable option. For others, staying put and adjusting the excess may work better than switching. Read about lifetime cover, check the renewal terms and compare carefully before making a change.