Pets are a huge part of many peoples’ lives in the UK. There are millions of cat and dog owners throughout the country who make the wellbeing of their pet their top priority.
A big part of owning a pet is taking it for regular visits to the vet. This can get expensive, especially for ongoing medical treatments or surgery, which is why so many people choose to take out lifetime pet insurance.
Some of the benefits of lifetime pet insurance include:
- The best treatment for your pet
- Flexible payment options
- Peace of mind
- Quick and easy quotes
A guide to lifetime pet insurance
Lifetime pet insurance is one of the main types of pet insurance policy you can take out. As the name suggests, a lifetime policy will provide cover for your cat, dog or rabbit for the entirety of its life.
Unlike an annual or condition-only pet insurance policy, with a lifetime policy you don’t have to worry about the cost of your cover increasing to the same degree.
Getting lifetime pet insurance quotes is a very quick and easy process. To get quotes now, simply click the green button.
Below you can find more information about lifetime pet insurance, such as what’s included and not as well some great ways to save money.
Did you know?
When should I take out lifetime pet insurance?
The ideal time to take out a lifetime insurance policy for your pet is when they’re young and healthy. For cats and dogs, it’s much easier to find affordable cover when you get a lifetime policy in the first 2-3 years of their life.
Unfortunately if you wait until they’re older, it can be much more difficult to find affordable cover, particularly if your pet has pre-existing conditions. In fact, once your cat or dog is over 10 years of age, many insurance providers will not offer a lifetime policy.
What is covered by lifetime pet insurance?
Some of the main types of things that are covered by lifetime pet insurance include:
- Medical treatments – Medical treatments for any new health conditions that your pet might develop are usually covered by most lifetime pet insurance policies. If you take out a lifetime policy when your pet already has pre-existing conditions though, there’s a good chance they won’t be covered unless stated otherwise.
- Injuries – If your pet is knocked over or injured in some other way, then the medical treatment required, including surgery, is usually covered by your insurance. There may be an excess to pay in the case of surgery however.
- Emergency dental treatment – If dental treatment is required due to an accident, then it will usually be covered by pet insurance. Other types of dental treatment though, such as cleaning and extraction, aren’t usually covered.
- Advertising and reward cover – Some lifetime pet insurance plans will include advertising and reward cover in the event that your pet was lost or stolen.
Did you know?
Are there any exclusions?
Although lifetime pet insurance will provide cover for many of the most expensive types of vet visits, there are certain exclusions. These include:
- Spaying and neutering
- Vaccinations
- Claw clipping
- Grooming
- Flea or worming treatments
Saving money on lifetime pet insurance?
When taking out a lifetime pet insurance policy, it’s always recommended that you take any steps you can to keep the costs down. Below are some excellent ways to do this:
- Take out a policy when your pet is young – The best way to get lifetime pet insurance at a good price is by taking out a policy when your pet is still very young. Younger cats and dogs are much less likely to have any serious health conditions, so insurance providers can offer lifetime policies at much cheaper rates compared to older pets.
- Increase excess on the policy – Some types of claims, such as surgeries, will require you to pay an excess. By increasing the amount of your excess, you can lower your monthly payments.
- Get your pet microchipped – Getting your pet microchipped could help you save money when taking out pet insurance. This is usually only the case with cats though, since it’s been a legal requirement since 2016 to have your dog microchipped, so as a dog owner this probably wouldn’t save you any money on your cover.
- Reduce the chances of accidents – Accidents are a big source of the vet expenses that pet owners have to pay. Whether your pet falls from a high place, is knocked over by a car or attacked by another animal – the associated costs involved with the medical treatment afterwards can be quite steep. Any steps you can take to make your pet’s environment more safe then, should be considered. If you have a cat and live on a main road for example, you might consider keeping them as an indoor pet to reduce the chances of them getting knocked over. Doing this could help you save on your insurance.
- Get quotes from multiple providers – One of the most reliable ways to save money on lifetime pet insurance is to get quotes from several different insurance providers. By doing this, you can easily compare them next to each other and pick the one that’s the best value for money.
In summary: Buying lifetime pet insurance
Although you’re not required to have pet insurance in place if you’re a cat or dog owner, it does give you peace of mind that if your pet needed medical treatment for ongoing conditions or due to an emergency, you wouldn’t have to bear the full cost on your own.
If your pet is still relatively young and healthy, then you shouldn’t have a problem finding quotes for a reasonable price.
Compare lifetime pet insurance quotes now!
If you want to get lifetime pet insurance quotes from a panel of specialist providers, you’re in the right place. Simply click the green button now and you can have your tailored quotes within minutes!
Lifetime Pet Insurance FAQs
What type of pets can you insure on a lifetime pet insurance policy?
The most common type of pets people get lifetime pet insurance for are cats and dogs. You can get cover for most types of pets on a lifetime policy though, including rabbits and other small mammals. There may be some pets that aren’t eligible for cover though, such as illegal breeds or those that are very prone to health problems.
Is a lifetime pet insurance policy the best option?
Lifetime pet insurance policies are generally the best option if you take them out when your pet is still young and free of any health conditions. If you wait until your cat or dog is much older, then you might find the cost of lifetime insurance no longer worth it.
Is everything covered under a lifetime pet insurance policy?
No, there are things that are nearly always excluded from being covered by your policy. These usually include things such as grooming, vaccinations, claw clipping and neutering/spaying.