Trips to the vet can become rather expensive. So, when it comes to looking out for your furry companion, pet insurance could offer an affordable level of protection.
At Compare Cover, comparing pet insurance quotes online has never been easier. All you need to do is tell us a little about yourself and your pet to compare quotes from our panel of over 20 UK pet insurance providers and find the right policy for your furry friend.
We offer pet insurance policies for both dogs and cats and we can help you find the most suitable and affordable cover to match your budget and requirements.
The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020. The transition period that was in place ended on 31 December 2020. The rules governing the new relationship between the EU and UK took effect on 1 January 2021.
On 3 December 2020, the EU voted in favour of giving Great Britain 'Part 2 listed status' for the purposes of non-commercial pet travel.
Under Part 2 listed status, EU pet passports issued in the UK will no longer be valid to travel to Europe.
To visit Europe with your pet after 1 January 2021, you will need to obtain an animal health certificate (AHC), issued and signed by an official vet. You must take your pet to your vet no more than 10 days before travel to get this.
An AHC is valid for:
These changes will affect any travellers with pets arriving in an EU Member State after 23:00 GMT on the 31 December 2020.
The government has published online a range of guidance and notes for travelling with your pet post-Brexit.
Typically covers vet bills or fees for a sudden and unexpected injury within the 12-month policy period.
Usually covers each new medical condition up to a financial limit for 12-months. If the financial limit is reached within the 12-month period, the insurance will stop paying for that condition.
Typically covers each new medical condition up to a financial limit for as long as the pet insurance policy remains in force, with no time limit on your claim. However, you will need to renew your policy if treatment for the same condition continues after the annual renewal date.
Covers all new medical conditions up to a financial limit. If the limit is reached during the insurance year, the cover stops until the policy is renewed. At renewal, the limit is fully reinstated and the condition(s) will continue to be covered in the policy the following year although the insurer may refuse or limit cover to exclude pre-existing conditions.
If you're lucky enough to have more than one cat or canine in your home, chances are you're looking to insure more than one pet. A number of pet insurance providers on our panel offer a multi-pet discount, so be sure to include details of all of your cats and dogs when you request a quote!
However, if you want to be completely sure that you're getting the right deal for you, it could still be worth comparing pet insurance policies for your pets separately, especially as some pet insurance providers do not provide a multi-pet policy.
Multi-pet insurance policies are available for households with a mix of cats and dogs, not just for 'multi-cats' or 'multi-dogs.' Compare Cover allows you to compare pet insurance quotes for up to 5 pets at a time.
Just like with motor insurance, your pet insurance policy renewal occurs at 12 months from your policy start date. Depending on your insurer or your contact preferences, you'll receive a letter or email close to the time, to confirm when your renewal will be due and how much your new premium will be.
Your renewal premium may be the best deal for you and your pet, but it's worth checking. It would cost nothing to compare pet insurance quotes again in good time before your policy renews, just in case a switch in providers or policies could save you money or offer more appropriate cover.
If you do find a better deal, don't forget to check for exit fees with your existing provider and make sure your new policy offers all the cover and benefits you require.
It's important to be aware that routine check-ups and vaccinations at the vet are not usually covered by a pet insurance policy; and this is also the case for procedures like spaying or neutering. It's also important to know that if your cat or dog is not vaccinated, they may not be covered for illnesses that might otherwise have been prevented by vaccination.
In other words, pet insurance usually covers illnesses or injuries, whereas vaccines are considered preventative measures, so will not normally be covered.
If paying for vaccinations and check-ups on the day is a concern, check with your vet or enquire with other vets in your area, to see if they offer a membership or payment plan. Many vets now offer these plans under a monthly direct debit, which can make paying for routine appointments more affordable or easier to consider when it comes to your monthly budgeting.
It may be possible to find pet insurance quotes for your cat or dog, even if they have a pre-existing medical condition. But this depends on the insurer and the type of condition or illness. It should be noted that very few pet insurance companies will provide full cover for pets with previous medical issues. When you apply for pet insurance, it's very important that you declare any medical conditions your pet currently has, or has recovered from, in the past.
If your pet has one or more pre-existing conditions, it doesn't mean that you won't find a policy but you must be completely honest with the insurer when you come to apply and be prepared that your premium may be higher as a result. Remember to make sure you check the policy wording carefully before you buy, so you know for certain whether or not the condition is covered.
Pet insurance companies usually consider your dog or cat to be 'old' at 8 years, but it's normal for cover to cost more as your pet gets older, even before they reach their golden years. For most insurers, 8 years old is set as their maximum cover age for new policies so if your pet isn't covered before this, they're unlikely to find a new policy.
In the majority of cases, however, existing pet cover will renew and continue at and beyond 8 years old. But be careful of exclusions and limitations, as your insurer may, for example, remove or restrict elements of the policy that would pay out for your animal's death from an illness.
It is also common for insurers to apply an additional excess, also known as co-payment and co-insurance, when it comes to cats or dogs aged 8 years or over. This means the policyholder will be expected to pay a percentage of the treatment cost in the event of a claim - typically 20% - in addition to the excess. The insurance provider then covers the rest. Co-payment can be a way for those who own older pets to find the cover they require at a more affordable price.
If you have an older pet, it's important that you don't cancel your existing policy if you're looking to set up new cover. Once you cancel your existing policy, you may be unable to get it back should the new cover fall through for any reason. Make absolutely sure your new cover is in place and right for you and your pet before you cancel your old one.
