Temporary Insurance Cover for Puppies and Kittens - Factsheet

You may have been given temporary insurance cover by the person from whom you bought your pet. This is very useful and can be a godsend if your new pet becomes ill within the first few weeks. However some people decide to change to another insurer after this temporary policy runs out, either because the original insurance is not ideal or you have a preferred alternative.

However, we offer a word of warning about how best to go about doing this, based on our years of experience dealing with pet insurers. Hopefully we can help you avoid a problem that could be expensive!

All insurers have a period at the start of the policy during which you cannot claim for a condition. Typically this is 2-4 weeks, and if anything goes wrong in that period then you won't get your veterinary fees reimbursed. Not only that, should you have a claim at some future date for the same condition you won't be paid then either!

An example of this catch is seen when a puppy or a kitten is presented with a tummy upset. This is common because of changes in diet and feeding patterns and it usually only a minor problem that is easy to solve. However if you have only just started your insurance policy the problem is deemed 'pre-existing' so it will be excluded forever more. Every time you put in a claim your insurer in the future they will ask to see a copy of all clinical records that we keep so even if you do not declare the problem, or indeed you decide not to claim on this occasion, you will not escape!

But, if you are still covered by your temporary policy then you should get paid (subject to their terms and conditions).*

The upshot of this means….

…Start your new insurance two-four weeks before your temporary insurance cover runs out!

*If this happens you may be best staying with the original company but always ask our opinion, if this is a possibility and we will give you unbiased advice.

DID YOU KNOW?...We are one of only about three veterinary practices in the whole of the UK who are authorised by the Financial Services Authority to discuss pet insurance, so you might as well make use of our expertise in this, as well as in the usual animal heath matters!