Pet FAQs
Everything you need to know about your best friends.
- I have never insured my pet, why do I need to?
- Can other pets such as birds or hamsters be insured?
- What vaccinations do I need and can I still apply if my pet's vaccinations are not up to date?
- Can I still apply if my pet has an existing condition?
- Do I get a discount if I insure more than one pet?
- Does this policy have a 12 month limit for vet fees cover?
- What should I do if I need to claim?
- How can I pay for my policy? and Is there any advantage to paying my premiums monthly by Direct Debit?
- Can I insure a pet of any age?
- Will my pet insurance help if my cat or dog is lost?
- Are there any dogs breeds that cannot be covered?
- Will all my vet's bills be covered?
- Will there be any delays if I have to claim for treatment by a vet?
- If I claim, will that affect my insurance?
- If anything happens to me does the policy cover looking after my pet?
- Am I covered if I have to cancel my holiday due to my pet going missing or needing surgery?
1. I have never insured my pet, why do I need to?
It's always important that you've got insurance in place for your pets. After all, it's reassuring to know you're covered should you suddenly face an unexpected vet bill. Simply supply us with your pet's details and see if we've a policy that's right for you.
2. Can other pets be insured? (eg birds or hamsters)
At the moment DirectCover Pet can only offer policies for cats or dogs.
3. What vaccinations do I need and can I still apply if my pet's vaccinations are not up to date?
You need to regularly vaccinate your dog to protect against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus and your cat to protect against feline infectious enteritis, feline leukemia and cat flu. You can still take out pet insurance if these routine vaccinations are not up-to-date, but you will not benefit from cover for any illness or condition relating to the above list.
4. Can I still apply if my pet has an existing condition?
Yes, you can still take out our pet insurance policy, your pet, however, would not be medically covered for the treatment of any condition that existed or showed signs of existing before the policy started.
5. Do I get a discount if I insure more than one pet?
Yes, if you insure more than one pet, you will receive a 5% discount for the second pet.
6. Does this policy have a 12 month limit for vet fees cover?
Our insurance policy is on a "per condition" basis with no time limit attached if you have paid all the premiums to keep your policy in force without a break in cover.
7. What should I do if I need to claim?
Please call a member of the Direct Cover Pet Insurance claims team on 0845 605 1933 for immediate help.
8 .How can I pay for my policy?
You can pay for your pet insurance policy in one amount each year or we can set up monthly Direct Debit payments which will equal the same total premium.
9. Can I insure a pet of any age?
Your pet will need to be at least 8 weeks of age for you to be able to take out a policy. There are no upper age limits for pets.
10. Will my pet insurance help if my cat or dog is lost?
Yes, if your cat or dog is lost or stolen, our pet insurance policy will provide you with up to a maximum of £1,000 Premier Plus or £300 Standard for local advertising, and up to a maximum of £600 Premier Plus or £250 Standard as a prior agreed reward amount. If your pet remains unfound, Direct Cover pet insurance will pay the purchase price or the market value for your pet, up to a maximum of £1,500 Premier Plus or £250 Standard.
11. Are there any dogs breeds that cannot be covered?
All breeds of dog can be covered except Sharpei, Pit Bull, American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasiliero Perro De Presa Canario (Dogo Canario) or a dog crossed with these breeds, wolves or wolf hybrid or any dog registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
12. Will all my vet's bills be covered?
Your vet's bills will be covered up to a maximum of £7,000 per condition for the Premier Plus policy and up to a maximum of £3,000 per condition for a Standard policy.
13. Will there be any delays if I have to claim for treatment by a vet?
If you return all the relevant completed forms to us with both yours and your vet's signature, your claim will be efficiently handled by a dedicated pet claims team. You can also request that the vet is paid directly and in this case, you will just have to pay any excess charge directly to the vet.
14. If I claim, will that affect my insurance?
Any claims on your pet insurance policy will not affect or relate to your future premiums. However, premiums may change at the time of your annual renewal purely because of general premium increases or because of a change in your specific circumstances.
15. If anything happens to me does the policy cover looking after my pet?
Yes, if you have to go into hospital for 4 days or longer for emergency medical treatment on medical advice, your pet insurance policy will provide you with a maximum of £1,000 Premier Plus or £600 Standard, so that you can board your pet in a kennel or cattery. With the Premier Plus policy only, you also have the option of taking the Daily Minding benefit, up to a maximum of £100 per week or £1,000 in total, so that you can pay someone else to look after your pet day or night.
16. Am I covered if I have to cancel my holiday due to my pet going missing or needing surgery?
Yes, you are covered up to a maximum of £4,000 Premier Plus and up to £500 Standard if you have to cancel your trip because your pet needs immediate surgery during the 28 days prior to your departure, and if you have to cut short your holiday for the same reason or if your pet goes missing while you are away. Your policy also allows you to cancel your holiday and receive the same benefits if your pet suffers from a serious injury or illness and is unable to be placed in pre-booked paid kennel or cattery boarding facilities.
