Time-Limited Pet Insurance

This type of policy will only cover individual health conditions for a limited time, which is usually 12 months.

In addition to this, there will be a maximum amount that you can claim for each condition. Your cover will cease when you reach the end of your time limit, or when the maximum value of your condition limit has been used up.

Making a claim

Be aware that insurers have different rules about when your claim starts.

Some of them will consider the 12 month claim period to begin when your pet first shows symptoms. Others will start your claim period from the date of a vet's diagnosis or first treatment.

You will also need to be a current policy holder to qualify for cover.

So if your claim starts when you are 6 months into a policy, your cover will end after a further 6 months. You will only receive the full 12 months of cover if you renew for another year.

Advantages of time-limited pet insurance

• It's cheaper than lifetime or maximum benefit policies
• The coverage is limited, but probably better than an accident-only policy.

Disadvantages of time-limited pet insurance

• There is a time limit AND maximum value limit for each condition.
• You may have to renew your policy in order to claim for a full 12 months.