Before signing up for pet insurance, you must be aware of what you are paying for.  The following checklist will help you make an informed decision.

•    Go through the fine print.  Know exactly what is covered and not covered by the policy.

•    Find out if your policy has a limit on the age of the pet.

•    Is preventive care covered by the policy?

•    Check if the policy covers pre-existing conditions.  Some policies do not cover pre-existing problems; if your pet fell ill due to a previous condition, the policy would not cover the expense.

•    Check the background of the company providing the policy.  See how many years they have been in the business.  Always pick a more experienced company.

•    Find out what the policy does not cover so you can be prepared when those particular conditions crop up.  Some policies do not cover check-ups and dental care.

•    Check if the policy covers bone scans, reconstructive surgery, CAT scans – which are all very expensive procedures – and medications.

•    Make sure you know what the excess is going to be.  Also check if any specific kind of accident or illness is not covered by the policy.

•    Some policies have a higher excess.  Look for one that tenders the same coverage, but for a lower excess figure.

•    Ensure that you are not paying for cover that you do not need.  For example, some policies cover pet travel; this would be an unnecessary expenditure if you do not plan to take your pet abroad.