Types of Pet Insurance

There are four main pet insurance cover types:

Accident-Only

Accident-only pet insurance is a budget-friendly option that covers your pet if they get injured in an accident. It’s typically cheaper than other types of pet insurance, but it only covers physical injuries from accidents - not illnesses or diseases. So, while it can be a good option for an unexpected accident, you’ll need to think about how you might handle the costs if your pet gets ill or develops a long-term condition. The only exception could be if the illness itself is directly caused by an accident.

Time-Limited

Time-limited pet insurance gives you cover for individual illnesses or injuries for a set period of time (usually 12 months). After that time, or once the monetary cover limit is reached, your pet won’t be covered for that condition again - from then on it will be treated as a pre-existing issue. Time-limited pet insurance could be an affordable option for short-term health problems, but it might not be if your pet develops a long-term or chronic condition. If your pet needs ongoing care or treatment, this type of insurance might leave you with uncovered costs later on.

Maximum Benefit

Maximum benefit pet insurance covers your pet for illness or injury up to a set amount per condition, with no time limit on claims. You can keep claiming for the same condition year after year, but only until you hit the financial cap. It’s more flexible than time-limited insurance and works well for ongoing conditions that need regular care, but once the limit is reached, the condition is no longer covered. This makes it useful for managing chronic issues but might not cover high-cost treatments indefinitely.

Lifetime

Lifetime pet insurance provides ongoing coverage for your pet’s health, including chronic conditions, with cover limits that reset every year. Unlike the other pet insurance policy types, you can keep claiming for long-term or recurring conditions year after year, as long as you renew your policy. It’s the most inclusive option, but also the most expensive. This type of insurance makes sure your pet is covered for their health needs throughout their lifetime.