Pet Insurance helps protect you from unexpected vet’s bills. Paying a small monthly premium for vet cover means you’re protected from these expenses, while your pet is taken care of.

Look carefully at the type of cover offered. Some policies may appear cheap, but if your pet gets a long-term illness you may not be covered.

• Annual cover means each illness is covered for a year. If your pet's illness lasts longer than a year, the cover will end.
• Individual condition cover lets you claim up to a certain amount for each illness. A long-term condition may well go over this limit.
• Lifelong cover means that you can claim for a condition, no matter how long it lasts, up to a set total each year.

Cover for older pets

Some companies have an age limit on new policies - typically 9-10 years for a dog. This makes it more difficult to insure pets that come from rescue centres. John Lewis Pet Insurance covers your pet's vet fees from the age of 8 weeks and has no upper age limit for vet’s fees.

It's a good idea to insure your pet from an early age. If you insure your pet when it's older and has pre-existing medical conditions, you’re unlikely to get cover for those conditions.

Taking a pet abroad

You can take your pet abroad and they won’t need to spend time in quarantine if you’re visiting a country that's included in the Pet Travel Scheme (provided you obey all the relevant rules).

While some companies offer travel cover as an optional extra, John Lewis Pet Insurance covers it as standard.

Injuries or accidents caused by your dog

If your dog causes an accident or injures other people, you may be responsible for any expenses. As such your policy should include personal liability cover as standard.

John Lewis Pet Insurance covers you for up to £2 million in case of accidents and personal injuries caused by your pet.

Does your cover include full customer support?

It's important when choosing a Pet Insurance policy that you select one that comes with comprehensive customer service. When you’re faced with the stress and expense of an ill pet, you need to know that your insurance provider will do everything they can to support you.

John Lewis Pet Insurance pays your vet directly, rather than into your own account (provided your vet is set up to receive our payments).

Most policies don't cover routine check-ups and treatment for pre-existing medical conditions. You need to check your policy carefully to see what exclusions it might contain.

Pet Insurance covers a lot more than just vet’s fees. For example, a John Lewis Pet Insurance policy covers the following treatments for your pet:

• Physiotherapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Dental
• Behavioural training
• Nutritionist treatment

John Lewis Pet Insurance can also help with costs if your pet goes missing or is stolen. You are covered for up to £1,000 towards advertising for your lost pet, and up to £1,000 towards a reward. Our policy even provides compensation if you have to cancel a holiday due to the loss or illness of a pet.

Other extras include emergency kennels and cattery care for your pets if you have to go into hospital.