Policies will normally fall into one of the three categories below. 

Each policy is different – so check the terms and conditions carefully to ensure it meets your needs.

‘Lifetime Cover’ These policies typically provide the most comprehensive level of cover. Veterinary Fee benefits ‘re-charge’ each year that the policy is renewed. Depending on the provider, the benefit limit may apply in one of two ways:

1. The benefit limit is applied to ALL conditions per year e.g. £5,000 in total per year. 2. The benefit limit is applied PER CONDITION per year e.g. £5,000 per unrelated condition per year. For example, if your pet was unfortunate enough to have three unrelated conditions you could benefit from up to £15,000 per year.

All Vetsure policies fall into the ‘lifetime’ category and benefit limits are ‘per condition per year’.

‘Maximum Benefit’ These policies typically provide cover per condition, but up to a maximum financial amount. Once the financial limit has been reached, no further claims for that condition will be paid.

‘Time and Benefit Limited’ These policies typically provide the most basic level of cover and are usually amongst the cheapest available. Each condition is covered for 12 months from its onset up to a set financial limit. The condition will stop being covered after 12 months or when the financial limit is reached – whatever happens first.

• Anything that relates to a pet’s medical history before the policy started (pre-existing medical conditions).
• Age of your pet – many companies will not insure new pets when they reach a certain age, typically 8-10 years.
• Any routine, preventative and elective treatments e.g. flea and worm treatments or vaccinations.
• Anything related to pregnancy or birth.
• Most policies have an illness claim exclusion applicable at the start of the policy, often called a ‘waiting period,’ which typically ranges from 10 to 30 days.

If you decide to change your insurance after a medical condition has occurred, that condition will almost certainly be excluded under any new insurance – even if you haven’t submitted a claim for it. For this reason, it is worth taking all factors into account when making your selection as, unlike with other types of insurance, it may not be viable to change provider at a later date.

As a pet ages the premium and policy excess are likely to increase because, like humans, the risk of illness increases. With many providers there is a tiered increase in premiums once the pet becomes classed as ‘senior’, but the approach taken by insurers varies widely. Some breeds can be more expensive to cover than others because many have a predisposition to certain medical conditions.

Most policies have an ‘excess’. This is a sum that the policyholder must pay towards the cost of their insurance claim. Excesses can vary greatly so refer to the policy terms and conditions.

For ongoing conditions most insurers will apply the excess once per year per condition. In addition, insurers commonly ask for co-payments – where the policyholder also pays a percentage of the over all veterinary treatment bill. This commonly applies for ‘senior pets’, but can be seen much earlier on some policies.

Normally, payment for treatments is made by the client to the vet at the time of treatment. The treatment costs are then claimed back from the insurer by the client. Most insurers suggest that they will ‘allow’ direct claims – meaning that the client would only have to pay the vet the excess and any co-payments for eligible treatments. However, vets are not obliged to offer this and it is entirely at their discretion.

Vetsure policies are cover for life, so ongoing conditions will continue to be covered each year (provided you continue to renew your policy and your premiums are kept up to date).

Vetsure policies are per condition per year e.g. on our Premier Plus Policy you can claim up to £5,000 for each unrelated condition per year.

Vetsure can tailor your excess to suit your budget – either £69, £109 or £149. For Vetsure, pets over the age of 8 years will require a 15% ‘co-payment’ towards the cost of each claim.

Vetsure will only charge the excess once per unrelated condition!

Vetsure-accredited practices like ours are happy to accept ‘direct claims’ from Vetsure.

Always read any policy documentation carefully to ensure it meets your needs. Always answer the insurer’s questions to the best of your knowledge.