Compare lifetime pet insurance

Pet owners can tell you how much their furry friend improves their quality of life. Owning a pet can reduce depression, stress and anxiety as well as provide companionship. That said, being a pet owner can also lead to unexpected medical bills should the pet get injured or fall ill. Find out more about lifetime pet insurance to avoid huge veterinary bills.

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What is lifetime pet insurance?

A lifetime pet insurance policy provides coverage for any medical treatment your pet might need throughout its lifetime. It’s the most expensive form of pet insurance, but it also provides the most coverage.

However, this doesn’t mean it provides for unlimited cover, which is why it’s important to read the terms and conditions of your policy.

Another feature you must keep in mind is lifetime pet insurance policies must be renewed every year as each policy only covers a 12-month period.

What does lifetime pet insurance cover?

• Vet fees
• Death of your pet
• Lost and found cover
• Third-party liability

Different types of lifetime pet insurance cover

Lifetime pet insurance policies come in two different types:

• Annual limit per condition. In this version of coverage the insurer sets a limit to the amount you can claim for each condition. For example, the insurer sets the annual condition limit to £5,000. This means if your dog develops arthritis, the maximum you could claim for medical treatment for the disease in any single year would be £5,000.
• Overall lifetime limit. This version of coverage sets a lifetime limit on the amount you can claim for each condition. For example, if the lifetime limit is £30,000, the maximum you can claim for treatment of your arthritic dog during its lifespan is £30,000. Any extra costs incurred for its treatment would have to be covered by you.

What affects the cost of lifetime pet insurance?

The cost of your lifetime pet insurance policy depends on a number of factors:

• The age of your pet. The older your pet is the more they’ll cost to insure as older animals are more likely to have medical issues.
• Pre-existing medical conditions. If your pet has any medical ailments at the time of buying insurance, they’re likely to cost more to insure.
• Cost of your pet. Pedigree pets cost more to cover than crossbreeds, because they’re more expensive to buy and can suffer from hereditary conditions.
• Type of pet. Smaller pets such as rabbits or guinea pigs are cheaper to cover as veterinary bills are also lower than those for dogs or cats.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I cover my older pet?

  Yes. But it’s likely to be more expensive to cover an older pet as opposed to a young one.

• What's the best pet insurance: lifetime or time limited?

  The best insurance policy is one that’s right for your needs and one you can afford. A lifetime policy may be more cost-effective if your pet is young, while a time limited policy may be more effective if you’ll only have the pet for a temporary period.

• What type of pets can I cover with a lifetime policy?

  You can get pet insurance for dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and exotic pets (reptiles, tortoises or parrots). Most insurers will only cover dogs and cats, but some insurers offer insurance for rare birds or reptiles.

• What are the common exclusions in lifetime pet insurance?

  Always check your policy’s terms and conditions carefully to make sure you have the cover you need.

  Some of the most common things pet insurance doesn’t cover are:

  Pre-existing illness or injury. Anything that relates in any way to something your pet had or showed signs of having before the policy started.

  Waiting period. New policies usually come with a waiting period, usually 14 days, during which the policy doesn’t provide coverage.

  Routine and preventative treatment. Any costs related to vaccinations, spaying, castration, flea, worm and tick treatments, grooming, claw clipping and teeth maintenance are usually not covered in pet insurance policies.

  Pregnancy and giving birth. Anything to do with pregnancy, giving birth and treatment of any offspring is not usually covered.

• How are pet insurance claims paid?

  In most cases, claims for vet fees are generally dealt with directly at the veterinary clinic.