Depending on whether you have a Dog, Cat or Rabbit we have slightly different age limits which will apply when you are taking out Pet Insurance.

For Dogs you can start insurance from 8 weeks up to their 8th birthday. However for certain breeds of dogs (see below) insurance can start from 8 weeks up to their 5th birthday. For Cats you can start insurance from 8 weeks up to their 10th birthday.

For Rabbits you can start insurance from 8 weeks up to their 5th birthday.
Dog breeds: Beauceron, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Deerhound, Dogue de Bordeaux, Estrela Mountain Dog, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, Leonberger, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Old English Bulldog, Old English Sheepdog, Poodle (Standard), Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Shar Pei, St Bernard, Standard Poodle, Tibetan Mastiff, Utonagan.

Once insured you may continue your pet's cover for life provided you continue to pay your premiums

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is a government scheme allowing pet animals to travel between specific countries and re-enter the UK without the need for the pet to go into quarantine.  For more information on this you can talk to your vet or contact the PETS by one of the following methods:

Online: www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/overview

Pet Travel Scheme helpline: 0370 241 1710 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (closed on bank holidays)

First contact the rescue centre, as most reputable centres will have had the pets vaccinated and they should be able to tell you for certain. If the rescue centre hasn't vaccinated your pet or does not know your pet's vaccination status, we would advise to take your pet to the vet and they will be able to advise you of their recommendations for vaccination.

Yes, an excess is payable, per condition. For Lifetime policies this will be payable per condition, per year. This forms part of your quote and as with your premium, is also based on your pet's species, breed, age and where they live.

Your vet fee excess is fixed until each annual review but can change if your circumstances change. We will let you know what your excess change is before it is applied when you contact us to change your personal details. Also, please note when your pet reaches a certain age (see below) it will change from a defined amount to a sum that will be the greater of the defined amount or a percentage contribution.

•  Cats - 10 years
•  Dogs - 5 to 8 years, depending on the breed
•  Rabbits - 5 years

We will write to you to give you more information a year in advance of the change.

Accidental injury is covered after the first 3 days of the policy. Illness, including poisoning is covered after the first 14 days of the policy

These policies offer per condition cover but with a time limit on claims. So, a particular condition will become excluded under the policy either when the maximum amount has been paid out or 12 months from first date of treatment, whichever is the sooner.

This is the most comprehensive form of pet insurance and offers vet fees cover up to a maximum amount, which is reinstated each year. This means that if your pet develops a long term chronic illness such as diabetes or an ongoing skin condition, provided it didn't pre-date the policy; this will be covered for the rest of your pet's life.  

These policies impose a maximum benefit per condition. So, to take the example of an ongoing illness such as diabetes or dermatitis, once that maximum is reached, that condition will then be excluded from further claims and you will need to be prepared to fund the ongoing treatment yourself.

Pet insurance policies vary, but a Post Office policy will typically provide cover for vet fees, the death of a pet from an accident or illness, holiday cancellation in the event your cat or dog is unwell, advertising fees and reward money if they go missing, theft or straying, boarding fees if you have to stay in hospital, overseas travel and access to a veterinary helpline. You’ll find more information on the levels of cover for each above. Please check the policy wording for full details and exclusions.

If you’ve taken out a Post Office Pet Insurance policy, there are four main steps involved in making a claim on it:

Step 1: Before your pet is treated, check your vet is prepared to complete a claim form, provide invoices and a full medical history.

Step 2: If they are, download a claims form or call our claims team to request one on 0330 123 1921. Complete your sections of the form and ask your vet to fill in their part. Remember, both you and your vet must both sign the form.

Step 3: Send us your claim form within 6 months of the first date of treatment or within 6 weeks of the end of the policy year if the treatment is not complete by that time. Not doing so will mean your claim won’t be paid except in exceptional circumstances.

Step 4: Return the claim form to us together with any invoices showing the costs/fees you have incurred.

No, we're unable to cover pre-existing conditions that are known before you take out your policy.

When you get a quote, we’ll ask if your dog or cat has seen a vet for any reason other than their annual health check, routine vaccinations or other preventative care. We’ll request a few details about their condition and your vet, and explain what we’ll cover and any exclusions that might apply on the policy.