Pet insurance

Policies may include a co-insurance element - if you make a claim, you'll be charged a percentage of the remaining vet fees after the excess has been deducted.

Premiums are likely to be higher for older animals, but generally there should be cover available for all ages. Cover for kittens and puppies tends to start at the age of six-to-eight weeks.

While insurance doesn't cover the cost of pet vaccinations, ensuring vaccinations are up to date has the potential to lead to a cut in premiums.

If vaccinations are not kept up to date and you need to make a related claim, you may find that your insurance has been invalidated.

As they have a higher value and are more likely to be stolen, pedigree animals generally will be more expensive to insure. Due to their breeding, they also tend to be more vulnerable to genetic complaints.

Third party liability insurance provides cover should your dog cause accidental injury or damage to someone else's person, property or pet. This can include paying for the bills if you're required to defend yourself in a legal case involving your dog.

Third party liability insurance does not apply to cats which are legally regarded as 'free spirits'.

If you own one of the types of dog specified in the Dangerous Dogs Act you must take out third party liability insurance, but it's not typically possible to take out additional pet insurance cover for banned breeds.

Yes. The level of veterinary fees associated with your postcode is likely to be reflected in your policy price and - generally speaking - urban areas are likely to be pricier than rural ones.

Pet insurers tend not to insure against accidental damage in the policyholder's home, largely because pets are temperamental and it's difficult for underwriters to assess how well an animal has been trained.

Many policies will cover the cost of damage caused to another person's property up to a specified amount, but watch out for exclusions - there are often a lot of them.