Standard or lifetime insurance

A question about : Standard or lifetime insurance

I've always gone for the basic insurance, but now that my dog has reached the grand old age of 8, the policies seem to have shot up with a substantial excess. Which is all fair enough as more can go wrong with an older dog.

With lifetime insurance, does this mean she will be covered for life (I.e. Until she dies) or does it mean something else and I'll still be trying to shop around next year for another policy when she's even older?

Any recommendations on what I should do?

Best answers:

• "For life" means the dog is covered for the duration you keep paying the premiums, subject to policy T&Cs. In theory, for life, but there will be limitations (a money limit - generally Јx per year or per condition), the premiums may increase beyond what you feel is reasonable, and so on.
  So if, for example, you take a lifetime policy that is Ј4000 per condition. Your dog developed arthritis in year one, you will be covered for treatment in year 2, 3, 4, etc. until you've reached the Ј4000 over however many years it takes (bear in mind you'll usually be subject to the excess in each policy year). However, when the Ј4000 is gone, it's gone - you can't switch companies and get cover for it, because it will be a pre-existing condition.
  If it was a lifetime 'per year' policy, you'd still get the cover for as long as you keep the policy, but it will renew each year. If you spent Ј2000 in year one, it tops back up to Ј4000 in year two. However, if you ended up spending that Ј2000 on the arthritis in year one, it only leaves you Ј2000 for any other conditions (stomach bug, eye infection, case of bloat, etc.) or claims in the year.
  For a standard non-lifetime/12-month policy, once your dog had that arthritis diagnosis, you'd only be covered for the remainder of that policy year - come year 2, it's a pre-existing condition that will be excluded.
  You'll probably find it tough finding insurance at 8 - it's one of the upper cutoff ages for senior dogs, many places will have higher excesses or won't offer new policies at all. www.pet-insurance-surveys.co.uk is a good site for comparing features - just be wary of cheap places that seem too good to be true, they often can be.
• In my opinion, I would either stick with the cover you have got, or put some of your own money aside to cover potential issues. Trying to get good affordable cover for an older dog is going to be pretty much impossible. As you are experiencing, the premium and excess amounts are likely to render it pretty redundant.
  Not sure if it helps, but I wrote an article last month on dog costs, particularly detailing out my vet bills vs. potential insurance payout.
  How much does it cost to own a dog?.
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