All pet insurance policies will vary, but it is important to insure your pets to protect yourself against unforeseen costs, and to ensure that your pets can receive the best care available to them if they need it.

Insuring your pets means that if your pets were to be involved in an accident or develop an illness, for which they need treatment or a series of expensive operations, you will have the time to worry about them rather than veterinary bills.

• Always read the small print before committing to any policy
• Check what is covered in your chosen policy. Procedures such as vaccinations, deworming and neutering probably won’t be covered
• Check when your policy will stop paying out. Some pay out for the lifetime of your pet, others stop after 12 months following the accident/diagnosis
• Some dogs may not be eligible for cover, such as racing dogs and those registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act
• If you own a pedigree animal, be aware of any long term illnesses or conditions that the breed is prone to, and if they may need continuous care. You will need an insurance policy that will accommodate this

Pet insurance policies will vary from policy to policy, but you can expect most to provide cover against:

• Veterinary fees
• Third party liability (covering you against costs caused to other people by your pet)
• Accidental damage
• Holiday cancellation
• Boarding fees (in case you are hospitalised and unable to look after your pet)
• Theft and straying (cost of advertising, rewards)

Premium policies

• Offer ‘lifetime’ cover - perfect for animals with long term illnesses who need continuous treatment
• As long as you renew the policy each year, the policy will pay out
• These policies have a maximum cover limit which is reset each year
• Particularly suitable for pedigree animals who are likely to suffer from ongoing health problems

Mid-level policies

• These policies have no time restriction, but put a monetary limit on treatment per condition
• So, if your policy offers £4,000 per condition, once the treatment has reached the point, the policy stops paying out, although this could take many years
• The premiums will be less expensive than those of the premium policies

Basic policies

• Offer the lowest premiums so are the cheapest option
• These policies put a time limit on your claim (usually 12 months) as well as a monetary limit
• Once 12 months is up, the insurance will no longer pay out