How cheap pet insurance can limit your pet's care

There is no shortage of cheap pet insurance policies out there. But if you want to avoid a nasty shock in the vet’s surgery, you need to look past the flashy headlines and promotional offers and find out what your pet insurance policy really covers.
a dog being examined by a vet
“We often find pet owners don’t know what their policy covers and can be surprised by some of the restrictions they uncover when making a claim," says leading veterinary specialist Professor Noel Fitzpatrick (best known as the Supervet). "This can mean the pet parent has to pay more towards the cost of their animal’s treatment than they expected.”
Professor Noel Fitzpatrick
And the small print doesn’t end there either. In addition to having restrictive cover that results in you having to use your own money to cover the cost of things your policy doesn’t, some seemingly cheaper policies significantly increase your premium when you make a claim. This doesn’t sound like that big a deal until you discover that it can be difficult to switch providers after your pet has had veterinary treatment, as pre-existing conditions are often not covered by new policies.

"I always advise families to think about the policy they are buying in terms of its value over many years rather than looking for a short-term deal" says Professor Noel Fitzpatrick.

Before you take out any pet insurance, go through the policy carefully. Are there any additional limits within the Veterinary Fees cover? Does the policy cover dental illness and injury? Will the insurance company charge you more if you claim? Check out Petplan’s Covered For Life® insurance at the link below and you’ll find that dental cover comes as standard and you won’t be penalised for claiming. Remember – the best value pet insurance is about long-term value, not short-term savings.

Find the best care for your pet. Check out Petplan's insurance policies below:
Just like their feline friends, dogs need proper care when they're ill or injured. It's sensible to plan ahead and get pet insurance to help cover the cost if your dog needs veterinary attention.
Just like their canine counterparts, cats need proper care if sick or injured. It's sensible to plan ahead and get pet insurance to help cover the cost if your cat does need treatment.
Rabbits may be small, but their vet bills can still accumulate. Petplan's Rabbit Plan provides £4,000 every year to help with vet bills helping you cover the cost of care for your pet.
Multiple furry friends? Get a £12 discount per pet every year when you insure more than one pet with us. You can tailor your cover for each pet and manage payments in a way that works for you.
Follow us

Petplan is a trading name of Pet Plan Limited (Registered in England No. 1282939) and Allianz Insurance plc (Registered in England No. 84638), Registered office: 57 Ladymead, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1DB.

Pet Plan Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 311969. Allianz Insurance plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register No. 121849. Pet Plan Limited is a subsidiary of Allianz Insurance plc. Fitz All Media Limited is an Appointed Representative of Pet Plan Limited.