Paws and Policy – What to Look for in a Pet Insurance Provider
May 9, 2025
Our pets are more than just companions, they’re family. But when they’re ill or injured, the cost of medication and treatment can soon add up and make a significant dent in your finances. That’s where pet insurance comes in, offering financial protection and peace of mind when your furry friend needs it most.
With so many providers and policies, choosing the right pet insurance for you and your beloved pet can be overwhelming. Let’s take a look at what to consider when selecting a pet insurance provider, so you can focus less on paperwork and more on belly rubs and wagging tails.
Coverage Types – What’s Actually Included in Pet Insurance?
Just like car and home insurance, there are many different types of pet insurance. One of the most basic types is Accident Only insurance, which covers injuries resulting from unexpected accidents such as broken bones, swallowed items and cuts. While it can be a good option for healthy pets with no underlying health issues, and has low monthly premiums, it won’t cover unexpected or ongoing illnesses. This means you may not have enough coverage if your pet develops a significant health issue, and you may face large bills.
Accident and Illness cover is one of the most popular types of pet insurance. It typically covers cancer treatment, infections and allergies, digestive issues and chronic conditions like arthritis or diabetes. While it is more comprehensive, Accident and Illness cover also has higher premiums, so you’d need to pay more each month or year. This type of cover is a good choice for pet owners who want broader coverage without going all-in on comprehensive plans. It’s ideal for pets that might face health challenges over time but aren’t yet dealing with major conditions.
Comprehensive or Lifetime cover includes everything in accident and illness coverage, plus extras such as prescription medication, surgery, diagnostic tests (such as MRI, X-rays and bloodwork) and some alternative therapies. It covers your pet throughout its life as long as the policy is renewed each year and can cover pre-existing conditions. As this is the most comprehensive cover, it has higher premiums.
Balancing Budget & Benefits
When it comes to pet insurance, it’s all about finding the sweet spot between what you can afford and the protection your pet truly needs. A cheaper policy might look appealing at first, but it could lead to high out-of-pocket costs later on.
Monthly premiums are the regular payments you make to keep the policy active. Premiums can vary based on your pet’s age, breed, species and the level of coverage you want. Premiums typically increase as your pet gets older, so you’ll need to factor this in when deciding which policy to get.
You’ll need to consider coverage caps, including annual limits, lifetime limits and per-condition limits. If your policy has a low cap, it could mean you end up paying more if your pet develops a serious condition.
What’s Not Covered – Understanding Exclusions
Although pet insurance can help with various costs, not everything is covered. Every policy has exclusions, although the exact exclusions depend on the insurer. In many cases, pre-existing conditions (illnesses or injuries your pet had before your policy started) aren’t covered. For example, if your cat has a history of seizures before you start a new policy, some insurers likely won’t pay for the ongoing medication for this condition.
Insurance policies don’t typically cover preventative or routine care, such as vaccinations, flea and tick treatment or spaying and neutering. Basic policies may also exclude hereditary or congenital conditions, although more comprehensive policies may cover them if they are diagnosed after the coverage starts. Depending on the policy, they may not cover behavioural issues or training for aggression, anxiety, or compulsive habits.
When Does Coverage Start?
While you may have signed up for a pet insurance policy, you can’t head to the vet for instant coverage. Most policies include waiting periods, which are set timeframes you must wait before certain types of claims are eligible. Coverage for accidents may start after 24 to 48 hours after your policy starts, while most illnesses have a 14-day waiting period.
If your pet shows symptoms or gets diagnosed during the waiting period, the condition is considered pre-existing and may be permanently excluded from future coverage.
Customisation & Add-Ons
Every pet is unique, which is why their insurance needs to reflect that. Many pet insurers offer customisation options and add-ons to give you more control over your coverage, whether it’s routine care or alternative therapies, preventative care plans or dental coverage.
Some insurance companies allow you to add-on prescription food and supplements to your plan, but only if they’re medically necessary. You may be able to add-on coverage for behavioural consultations and treatment, which is great for pets with anxiety, aggression, or compulsive behaviours.
Why Get Pet Insurance?
Part of your responsibility as a pet owner is to make sure your furry friend has the right vet care. But without insurance to cover vet fees, medication and treatment can cost you hundreds, if not thousands of pounds, as per MoneyHelper.
If your pet becomes ill or injured, you can focus on getting them back to full health, rather than the worry of finding funds to cover their treatment. With coverage in place, you may also be more likely to opt for advanced diagnostics, surgery, or long-term treatment plans which you wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.
Many policies offer lifetime or long-term condition coverage, which is especially helpful for chronic issues like diabetes, arthritis, or allergies. With the right plan, you can afford to cover your pet’s ongoing health needs year after year.
Protecting Your Pet, Planning for the Future
As pet parents, we do everything we can to keep our furry companions safe, happy, and healthy. Whether it’s regular vet checkups, a nutritious diet, or making sure they get plenty of exercise, it’s important to take care of their health and well-being. But when it comes to unexpected illnesses, injuries, or long-term health challenges, pet insurance provides a safety net that helps protect both your pet and your finances.
By choosing the right insurance policy, you’re protecting your pet’s health now and for the future, along with preparing for any unexpected costs. From covering dental accidents to handling major health emergencies, a well-chosen policy will make sure your pet receives the care they need without you having to make tough financial choices.
Disclaimer: healthcareforpets.com and its team of veterinarians and clinicians do not endorse any products, services, or recommended advice. All advice presented by our veterinarians, clinicians, tools, resources, etc is not meant to replace a regular physical exam and consultation with your primary veterinarian or other clinicians. We always encourage you to seek medical advice from your regular veterinarian.
