As with all insurance types everywhere for absolutely anything, you will find that there are loopholes to be learned and once you are familiar with them it makes it much easier to understand the plans available.

Pet insurance is no different, so it’s worthwhile taking a few minutes to check out terms & conditions before you make an order.  We have put together a comprehensive list of loopholes to look out for, but always take the time to read the finer points of any provider’s policy details.

Vet fees – Check your entitlement

No matter which policy you choose, there will be some kind of cap of the vet fees, either per year or per condition.  The value of coverage will often depend on how much you are prepared to spend on the cover, and most policies will have different levels available at a different price.  If a policy has a limit of £4,000 per condition, then any treatment that exceeds that amount will not be covered.

Have you selected third party liability?

Whilst many providers will include a level of third party liability as standard, this is not always the case.  If your dog injures someone or causes damage to property then you are responsible, but third party liability will cover this.  However, you need to check that it is either included automatically or you have chosen to add it to the policy details.  It is no good simply assuming that your pet insurance will cover you, and asking a provider to include it after an incident will not work!

Up to...

Don’t forget that any vet fee coverage, as well as other potential payouts, will always be quoted as ‘up to’, which means that the full amount is not necessarily payable.  In the unfortunate event of a pet’s death through injury or illness, many providers will offer a compensatory figure, but this is often dependent on the purchase price.

Pre-existing conditions

It is very unlikely that any provider will cover against pre-existing conditions, and your pet may need to be in good health before a policy can be put in place.  There may also be age restrictions, so make sure you check before ordering.

Online discounts

If you see an advertised discount for joining online, it will usually only apply to complete web-based applications; if you phone the pet insurer you may not be getting the same price, so it’s best to order online.  There are plenty of discounts available, and they are a great way to get better value for your policy, but make sure you are eligible.  If you see a quoted total discount on offer, it may be dependent on extra animals being added to the cover, and if you only have one pet then you will not be able to receive the maximum discount.

Watch out for excess!

Many types of insurance come with excess, which requires you to pay a small amount towards any payout.  This is not the case for every insurer, but by checking the policy details before you order you can put your mind at ease.  A surprisingly cheap policy may come with high excesses, making it less value for money, so assess all the options available and make sure you know the finer details of your pet insurance policy.