Pet Insurance: Help & Hints

Pet insurance is an insurance policy which covers your household pets. Mainly used for cats and dogs (but available for most pets!), it's there to cover the veterinary costs if your pet becomes ill or has an accident. There's also cover on pet insurance policies for expenses like theft, emergency kennelling costs, or even death.

When it comes to purchasing pet insurance, it's important to look out for the things which can affect your premium. All of the following might have an impact the amount you're looking to pay to keep your furry friend safe:

• The age and gender of your pet
• The breed and pedigree
• Whether they have been neutered or vaccinated
• Where you live
• The type and level of cover
• The excess
• How comprehensive the insurance is

You'll also need to consider a few things before you move forward with a pet insurance provider:

• What is the maximum the insurer will pay out, and what for? Is this annually, or per condition?
• Does the policy actually cover the entire lifetime of your pet? Bear in mind, some companies will stop the insurance or reduce cover as your pet gets older.
• Are long-term conditions covered for life, or will exclusions be made later down the line?
• If you make a claim, does your premium rise?
• Do you need additional cover for specific things? Such as dental work, behaviour therapy, nutritionists, veterinary specialists.