Insurance basics

Pet insurance explained

A plain guide to pet insurance: what it covers, the different levels of policy, and the terms and exclusions worth checking before you buy.

Pet insurance is a policy that helps pay for veterinary care for your pet. It can take the sting out of unexpected vet bills after an accident, an illness or an injury, which can be expensive and hard to predict.

What pet insurance covers

Policies come in different levels, depending on what the owner needs:

• Accident only policies cover treatment after an accident, such as a road accident or a broken leg, but not illness.
• Fuller policies add cover for illnesses, and some include extras such as routine check-ups or vaccinations.

The level you choose will affect both what you can claim for and how much you pay.

Why people take it out

Vet treatment can be costly, and you rarely get much warning. Pet insurance can help owners manage those costs and gives peace of mind that, if their pet becomes ill or injured, there is money available towards the treatment it needs.

What to check before you buy

When you are looking at pet insurance, it is worth reading the policy terms carefully rather than looking at the price alone. In particular, you may want to check:

• The level of cover and any limits on how much can be paid for each condition or each year.
• The premium, and how it might change as your pet gets older.
• The excess, which is the amount you pay towards each claim.
• Exclusions, especially for pre-existing conditions, which are often not covered.
• Breed restrictions, as some policies treat certain breeds differently.

Comparing a few policies side by side, on the same level of cover, makes it easier to see which one suits your pet's needs and your budget. You can check that any firm you deal with is authorised on the FCA register.

Kompare doesn't currently offer quotes for pet insurance. You can see the cover we do help with on our how we work page.