How policy and payouts vary

LIFETIME COVER

IN theory this is the best cover because it is for a pet’s entire life. But as Tony Dearsley’s case confirms, premiums can escalate – just when you need cover most. This means many people simply give up cover when their pets get old.

Lifetime cover comes in two forms: per condition per year, and annual cover.

Per condition per year provides a maximum pot for each condition, which resets at the beginning of each policy year.

Annual cover has a maximum overall limit for all conditions that also resets each year.

Both policies will meet bills for continuing illnesses – subject to overall limits. Some providers offer a set pot for as long as insurance is purchased – £15,000 for example – until it is used up.

NON LIFETIME COVER

ANNUAL policies – ‘non lifetime’ – are cheaper. They come in two forms: per condition cover and timelimit per condition cover.

Per condition cover pays up to a set sum for each condition. After that it is excluded from cover. Timelimit per condition policies have both a condition limit and time limit, usually 12 months, after which the condition is excluded.

ACCIDENT ONLY

THESE cheap plans cover vet bills after an accident and public liability cover.