Pet insurance policies can be divided into three categories: Annual Cover, Long Life Cover & Individual Condition offer.

Annual Cover Pet Insurance:

This policy is limited to a set period of, usually, twelve months. This is generally the cheapest type of policy but be aware that if your pet is in the middle of a treatment when the policy ends, the policy will not continue to cover it. Annual cover may be divided into two categories:

The policy will cover a condition for twelve months from the onset of the condition.

The policy may only cover the condition until the renew date.

Advantages

Less expensive cover against accidents and short-term illness.

Disadvantages

Medium- and long-term health-care conditions are not covered.

Once insured pets reach a certain age the insurance premium may rise and the policy excess will increase.

It is worth remembering that any pet health conditions claimed for will be excluded if you decide to upgrade the pet insurance cover.

Individual Condition Cover

This policy will cover any condition up to a certain amount. The treatment for the condition will end as soon as it reaches the financial cover limit so it may not give complete cover for a long-term ongoing condition.

Advantages

Less expensive premiums and should cover most short- and medium-term illness.

Disadvantages

May run out of cover for expensive long-term veterinary treatment .

Some companies may increase the premium and excess for older pets.

Life Long Cover

This policy provides a cover limit per condition per year so it renews each year for a condition even if a claim has been made and thus the pet is covered throughout its life. A premium is paid each year and the policy offers cover for vet fees each year per condition per year. This type of cover usually comes with other benefits too such as holiday cancellation, advertising and reward etc. This policy cover might be the most expensive but is most suitable for on-going, long-term conditions like arthritis and diabetes. It also offers the owner a lot of peace of mind. The pet insurance policy is renewed annually and conditions which have arisen since taking out the policy will continue to be covered; i.e. there are no exclusions placed on the policy once the animal insurance cover is in place.

Advantages

Short- and long-term treatment is covered.

Disadvantages

More expensive.

Some companies may increase the premium and excess for older pets