Managing the health of your beloved pets can be both rewarding and financially challenging, especially as vet costs can quickly mount up. In 2022 alone, over 1.3 million pet insurance claims were made, according to data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), reaching over £1 billion in payouts, showing that having a good policy for your pet pal can be essential.
One popular type of policy is lifetime pet insurance, which can make it easier to cover expenses as they happen with ongoing coverage throughout your pet’s life. When compared to other types of policies, which may only offer limited-term or specific-condition coverage, there is a lot to like, but is it right for you and your pet’s unique needs?
What is Lifetime Pet Insurance?
Lifetime pet insurance is quite simply designed to provide ongoing financial protection for your pet’s health care needs. As long as you renew each year, a policy will continue to provide coverage for illness and conditions for your cat or dog throughout their lifetime to a set annual limit. This type of insurance is especially beneficial for covering pre-existing or chronic conditions or illnesses that require long-term treatment, as it does not impose yearly limits on the coverage of specific conditions.
A key feature of lifetime pet insurance is its ability to renew each year with the same level of coverage, despite any claims made in the previous year. This means that, regardless of your pet’s health history, the policy’s scope of protection remains consistent, although premiums may increase with your pet’s age and other factors.
While lifetime pet insurance is one of the most inclusive policies available, it’s crucial to understand what is covered and what is not. Not all lifetime policies are equal, such as some may not cover pre-existing conditions or may limit how much you can claim for specific conditions. The annual limits between policies will vary too. If you can find the right lifetime policy, it can ensure you’ll never be out of pocket when needing to claim.
Benefits of Lifetime Pet Insurance
When you consider the average cost of owning a dog is anywhere from £10,000 to £16,000 during their lifetime according to Pets4Homes, and at least £11,100 for a cat according to the PDSA, having comprehensive insurance coverage will ensure that any costs related to vet bills can be covered. Pet ownership is expensive, so a lifetime insurance policy has many benefits:
- Comprehensive coverage for chronic conditions or pre-existing conditions – This can include long-term conditions such as diabetes or arthritis, which require ongoing treatment and can become costly over time. With lifetime insurance, these conditions continue to be covered year after year, providing consistent support regardless of the pet’s age or health status.
- Peace of mind with lifetime coverage – Knowing that your pet’s health care needs will be met without the burden of overwhelming vet bills can be immensely relieving. This can be especially important for breeds prone to specific hereditary conditions, where the likelihood of high medical expenses is greater.
- Lifetime policies often cover other treatments – Many policies will cover additional things and not just vet bills, such as dental accidents, behavioural treatments and also complementary therapy such as hydrotherapy or acupuncture. This provides even more coverage than a standard policy and may also provide you with other add-ons you may want to have.
Things To Consider With Lifetime Policies
While lifetime pet insurance provides extensive coverage, this does mean it can be more expensive compared to other types of pet insurance. You’ll need to consider that each year you renew may mean a higher premium.
This can be due to many things, which according to insurer Petgevity, may include an increase in veterinary costs in your area, as well as a higher chance of illness as your pet ages. As this type of coverage is more comprehensive, you’ll get lots more included in the policy than when compared to a cheaper accident-only policy.
You’ll also need to consider that pre-existing conditions are not always covered under new lifetime policies. Some may do so, but many policies don’t. This can be a major limitation for pet owners whose animals already have health issues. Some policies may also have breed-specific exclusions or may not cover certain hereditary conditions, which are common in specific breeds. Be sure to check this and find lifetime policies that can cover your pet’s pre-existing conditions if they have them.
Comparing Providers and Policies
As with any policy, you’ll want to consider coverage options, excess fees, and exclusions with pet insurance before choosing a provider. Comparing your options is the best thing to do before going ahead. It may take a bit of time to do, but it will ensure you can make the right choice.
- Think about the extent of coverage, the reliability of the provider, and the overall cost-effectiveness of the policy.
- Check the coverage limits and what is specifically included or excluded. This helps ensure that the policy matches the potential healthcare needs of your pet, particularly if they are predisposed to certain conditions.
- Reading customer reviews and checking ratings on insurance review sites can provide insight into the experiences of other pet owners with specific insurers.
- Compare the cost of premiums and the details about increases over time. Some policies might offer lower initial costs but have steeper increases as your pet ages.
Is Lifetime Pet Insurance Right for Your Pet?
Deciding whether lifetime pet insurance is the right choice for your pet will be different for everyone. For some pets, they can provide everything you would need to cover the annual costs of visiting the vet and paying for treatment. However, it also needs to match your budget as it may not be an affordable option for everyone, depending on the cost of premiums.
Some breeds are prone to specific hereditary conditions that may require ongoing treatment, making lifetime coverage more beneficial. Also, the younger your pet is when you start a policy, the more cost-effective it can be, as premiums can be lower for younger, healthier animals.
Evaluate your financial situation as well. Can you afford the potentially high premiums, especially as they increase with your pet’s age? Lifetime pet insurance can offer significant financial relief and peace of mind if your pet develops a chronic condition, but you’ll need to ensure the cost will be affordable in the long term if you renew each year. Hopefully, the value of lifetime pet insurance will pay for itself over time, and if it doesn’t, you can always change providers and find a better policy if you want to.
