Pet insurance can feel confusing.

What does it actually cover? Do you have to use a certain vet? Is it only worth having when your pet gets older? And is the cheapest policy really the best option?

There are plenty of myths about pet insurance. And when it comes to looking after your dog or cat, getting the wrong idea about your cover could leave you caught out when you need it most. So, let’s separate the myths from the reality.

Myth 1: “My pet already has a health problem, so there’s no point getting insurance.”

Reality: You can still insure your pet, but pre-existing conditions are generally not covered.

This is one of the biggest misunderstandings about pet insurance.

Having a previous illness, injury or health issue doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t take out pet insurance. However, pre-existing conditions are generally excluded from cover.

At CoverMy, a pre-existing condition can include an illness, injury or symptoms that your pet had before your policy started or during the applicable waiting period.

That doesn’t mean your pet can’t be covered for anything else.

If your pet develops a new, unrelated illness or injury after your cover starts, it may be eligible for cover depending on your policy terms and conditions.

The important thing is to understand what your policy does and doesn’t cover before you buy.

Myth 2: “I have to use a specific vet if I have pet insurance.”

Reality: With CoverMy, you can choose any licensed vet in the UK.

Your pet doesn’t know the difference between an insurance-approved vet and their favourite vet. And thankfully, with a CoverMy policy, you have the freedom to visit any licensed vet in the UK.

That means if your dog has an accident while you’re visiting family, or your cat needs treatment while you’re away from home, you aren’t restricted to one particular practice.You can choose the vet that’s right for your pet.

Just remember that your policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits will still apply.

Myth 3: “My pet is insured as soon as I buy the policy.”

Reality: There are waiting periods.

We know. If you could switch on pet insurance like a light, that would be handy. But insurance doesn’t quite work that way.

CoverMy policies have waiting periods before certain sections of cover begin. Please refer to the CoverMy policy documents for further information.

This is one reason it’s worth arranging pet insurance before something happens, rather than waiting until your pet is already unwell.

If your pet starts showing symptoms during a waiting period, that condition may be treated as pre-existing under the policy.

So don’t wait for the suspicious limp, mysterious cough or “I definitely didn’t eat that” moment.

Myth 4: “All pet insurance policies are basically the same.”

Reality: The differences can be pretty big.

Pet insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Policies can differ in:

• The type of cover provided
• Vet fee limits
• How long conditions can be covered
• Excesses
• Complementary treatment limits
• Third-party liability
• Death from illness or accident
• Theft and straying
• Exclusions and conditions

At CoverMy, for example, you can choose between Time Limited and Lifetime cover.

Our Time Limited cover provides up to £3,000 in vet fee cover and covers eligible conditions for up to 365 days.

Our Lifetime cover provides £2,000 to £10,000 in vet fee cover, depending on the level selected, and can continue to cover eligible ongoing conditions year after year while your policy remains active and is renewed without a break.

That’s a pretty important difference. So when comparing pet insurance, don’t just look at the monthly price. Look at what you’re actually getting for it.

Myth 5: “I’ll just choose the cheapest pet insurance.”

Reality: The cheapest policy isn’t always the right policy for your pet.

We all love a bargain.

But when you’re comparing pet insurance, it’s worth looking beyond the number on the screen. A cheaper policy might have a lower vet fee limit, a different type of cover or restrictions that wouldn’t suit your circumstances.

For example, CoverMy’s Time Limited and Lifetime policies have different levels of vet fee cover and different approaches to ongoing conditions.

That doesn’t mean one is automatically right for everyone.

It means you should think about what you would want your policy to do if your pet developed an illness or suffered an injury.

Ask yourself: “If something went wrong tomorrow, would I be comfortable with the cover I’ve chosen?”

That’s a much more useful question than simply asking: “What’s the cheapest quote?”

Bonus myth: “Pet insurance is only worth it for older pets.”

Reality: You never know when your pet might need the vet.

Puppies and kittens might seem like tiny bundles of energy with an impressive talent for getting into trouble. And, well… they are.

But accidents and illnesses can happen at any age.

CoverMy offers pet insurance from 8 weeks old, so you can arrange cover while your new family member is still young. Getting cover early can also mean you’re putting protection in place before new health issues arise. 

Because nobody plans for their puppy to swallow something they shouldn’t. Or their kitten to turn a curtain into an extreme climbing challenge. But pets have other plans.

So, what should you actually look for in pet insurance?

Forget the myths for a minute.

When comparing policies, look at:

• The level of vet fee cover: How much could you claim towards eligible vet fees?
• The type of policy: Is it Time Limited, Lifetime or another type of cover?
• How ongoing conditions are treated: This can make a big difference if your pet needs long-term treatment.
• The excess: Check how much you would need to contribute towards a claim.
• The exclusions: Knowing what’s not covered is just as important as knowing what’s covered.
• The extra benefits: Depending on the policy, these could include complementary treatment, third-party liability for dogs, theft and straying, or death from illness or accident.

The bottom line

Pet insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. But it does pay to understand what you’re buying.

Your pet might spend most of their day sleeping, stealing your seat and staring at you while you eat. But when something goes wrong, they’re relying on you to get them the care they need.

The right pet insurance can help you prepare for unexpected eligible vet bills, so you can focus on your pet rather than the cost.

At CoverMy, we offer Time Limited and Lifetime pet insurance for dogs and cats, with different levels of cover to suit different needs and budgets.

Ready to put the myths to bed?

Take a look at our pet insurance options and find the cover that’s right for you and your four-legged family member.