Time Limited Pet Insurance
Time limited pet insurance covers your cat or dog's vet fees for 12 months from when each new illness or injury starts, up to a fixed limit per condition. Once the 12 months are up or the limit is reached, that condition is no longer covered, but new, unrelated conditions still are.
Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
- A fixed vet fee limit per condition, up to £2,500 on Essential Extra
- Cover for 12 months from when each new condition starts
- Free 24/7 vet advice and our Perks & Offers included on every policy
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What is time limited pet insurance?
Time limited pet insurance is a type of cover that pays vet fees for each new illness or injury for up to 12 months from when it was first noticed or treatment started, whichever comes first, up to a fixed limit per condition. Whichever comes first, the time limit or the vet fee limit, ends cover for that condition. That makes it a budget-friendly policy, sitting between accident only and maximum benefit cover. It is usually more affordable than lifetime cover, and new, unrelated conditions can still be claimed for after an older one ends. The trade-off is that once the 12 months are up, the condition becomes a pre-existing condition and will not be covered again, even when you renew, which makes it less suited to chronic illness than lifetime pet insurance. Essential cover works for dogs and cats alike, there’s more on our cover for cats page. Whatever you choose, every Essential policy comes with free 24/7 vet advice, a low £90 excess, direct payments to your vet, and money off top pet brands through our Perks & Offers.
Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 
12 months of cover per condition
- Claim up to £2,500 per condition on Essential Extra
- Cover starts when each new condition first develops
- Keep claiming for 12 months or until the limit is reached
Simple, affordable protection
- Usually cheaper than lifetime or maximum benefit cover
- Suited to short-term illnesses and injuries
- New, unrelated conditions each get their own cover
Packed with extras
- Free 24/7 Vet Assist on every policy
- Average savings of 57% on prescription meds
- Perks & Offers, included at no extra cost
Compare our essential time limited policies
Compare the Essential range of time-limited pet insurance – 12 months of straight-forward protection for vet fees, helping you manage unexpected costs when your dog or cat is unwell or injured.
| Essential | Essential Extra | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet fees (per condition) | £1000 | £2500 |
| Third party liability (dogs only) | £1000000 | £1500000 |
| Complementary treatment | ✓ | ✓ |
| 24/7 vet advice | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overseas holiday cover | £250 | £500 |
| Holiday cancellation | £250 | £500 |
| Missing and stolen | £250 | £500 |
| Advertising and reward | £250 | £500 |
| Emergency boarding | £250 | £500 |
| Death from illness or accidental injury | £250 | £500 |
| Excess | £90 per condition, per policy year, except for Third Party Liability claims where an excess of £250 per claim applies. | |
Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
What does time limited pet insurance cover?
Time limited pet insurance covers vet fees for each new illness or injury for up to 12 months from when it first develops, or until your chosen limit per condition is reached. Alongside vet fees, every policy includes complementary treatment like physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, 24/7 vet advice, third party liability for dogs, overseas holiday cover, holiday cancellation, emergency boarding, cover if your pet goes missing or is stolen, and death from illness or accidental injury.
Vet fee cover helps with the cost of veterinary treatment if your pet becomes ill or injured.
With our time-limited policies, each new condition or injury could be covered for 12 months from when it first develops or when the policy limit is reached, whichever one comes first.
Once that ends, claims for the same condition can no longer be made.
Third party liability cover protects you if your dog causes injury to another person or damage to their property.
It can help cover legal costs and compensation claims, giving you reassurance if the unexpected happens while out walking or at home.
This cover is included for dogs only.
Cover for vet-recommended therapies like physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment and osteopathy, to help support your pet’s recovery.
Speak to a qualified vet by phone or video any time, day or night, about a worrying symptom, an injury or a change in behaviour. No appointment needed, and it never counts as a claim.
If you’re travelling with your pet, this helps with emergency vet treatment should they fall ill or get injured in approved European countries under the UK Pet Travel Scheme.
Helps you recover non-refundable travel or accommodation costs if you have to cancel or cut short a trip because your pet is ill, injured, goes missing or sadly passes away.
If your pet goes missing or is stolen, this helps with the cost of advertising and offering a reward to bring them home.
Helps with kennel or cattery fees if you’re unexpectedly admitted to hospital and can’t look after your pet while you recover.
With time limited cover, each new illness or injury is covered up to your chosen vet fee limit and for up to 12 months from when it first develops. Once either the time limit or the vet fee limit is reached, whichever comes first, that condition is excluded from future claims, even if the policy is renewed. New, unrelated conditions are still covered, each with their own limit and 12-month period.
Time limited insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, meaning anything your pet had or showed signs of before the policy started or during the waiting period (14 days for illnesses, 5 days for accidents and injuries). It also won’t cover a condition once its 12-month period or vet fee limit has been reached, so it’s less suited to chronic or long-term illnesses that need ongoing treatment. If that’s a concern, lifetime pet insurance may be a better fit.
Why choose Perfect Pet Insurance?
Explore what comes with every Essential Time Limited policy, from trusted vet support to everyday savings.
97% of claims settled within five working days
We can pay your vet directly, so you’re not left finding the money first.
A vet in your pocket, 24/7
Free, round-the-clock advice from a real vet or vet nurse, by phone or video. No appointment, no charge, and it never counts as a claim.
Physio, hydro and more
Cover for vet-recommended complementary therapies like physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and osteopathy, to help your pet recover.
A low £90 excess
You pay one £90 excess per condition each policy year – one of the lowest around.
Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
We’re here for you and your pet
All of our time limited policies come with trusted tools and expert help that make health worries easier to handle and everyday care more affordable.
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Dog symptom checker
Check your dog’s symptoms and get rapid guidance with our free, vet-approved symptom checker.
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24/7 Vet Assist video and phone calls
Get trusted triage advice and find out what might be wrong. Fast, professional help with no appointment needed.
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Save on prescription medication
Save an average of 57% on prescribed medication, trusted pet meds delivered straight to your door.
Explore cover
for every pet
Whatever you are insuring, explore cover for dogs, cats, new arrivals and multi-pet homes.
Dog Insurance
5 Star rated cover with up to £5,000 in vet fees per condition, plus exclusive discounts from leading pet brands.
Cat Insurance
Up to £5,000 in vet fees per condition, with 24/7 vet video calls and savings through our Perks & Offers.
Multi-pet insurance
Cover all your pets under one policy with a 15% discount and a single renewal date.
Puppy insurance
5 Star rated cover from just 4 weeks of age, so your puppy is protected from the start.
More memories, less worry
Join thousands of UK pet owners who trust us to be there for the long haul. A quote takes about 2 minutes.
Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Time Limited
Pet Insurance FAQs
Find out more about time limited cover for dogs and cats with these common questions from UK pet owners.
Time limited pet insurance is a type of cover that pays vet fees for illnesses or injuries for a fixed period of time, 12 months from when the condition was first noticed or treatment started, whichever comes first. After that time limit ends, the condition is no longer covered, even if you haven’t reached the policy’s financial limit.
With time limited cover, each new illness or injury is covered up to your chosen vet fee limit and for up to 12 months per condition.
Once either the time limit or the vet fee cover limit is reached, that condition is excluded from future claims, even if the policy is renewed.
Time limited pet insurance is often more affordable than lifetime pet insurance, making it a popular choice for owners looking for lower monthly premiums.
However, it’s important to understand that ongoing or chronic conditions won’t be covered long term, which can increase costs later on.
A pre-existing condition means any health problem your pet has had or is having treatment, medication or advice from a vet for prior to the start date of your pet insurance policy (or within the waiting period – 14 days for illnesses and 5 days for accidents and injuries).
This also includes any undiagnosed accidental injury or undiagnosed illness which is showing any clinical signs or symptoms, or exists in any form which your pet has prior to the start date of your policy.
An example of this would be if your pet was limping before your policy started (or within the waiting period) and your vet later confirmed your pet was suffering from arthritis. We would consider this to be a pre-existing condition.
Once the time limit ends, that specific illness or injury becomes a pre-existing condition and won’t be covered again under a time-limited policy.
New, unrelated conditions can still be claimed for, provided they occur after your policy starts.
If you make a claim on your pet insurance, you may need to pay an excess.
Our excess is one of the lowest around at £90 and you will need to pay this once per condition claimed for, during each policy year.
For dogs aged 8 and over and cats aged 10 and over, a 15% co-payment applies in addition to the excess. This means you would pay the excess first, and then 15% of the remaining eligible claim amount.
Your policy schedule confirms the excess and any co-payment that applies to you.
Third party liability claims have an excess of £250.
To get the 15% multi pet discount, start a quote online and add all of your pets.
You can then pick and choose which cover you’d like for each of your pack.
Enjoy peace of mind for your whole pet pack – all in one place!
How time limited compares to other types of pet insurance
Time limited is a budget-friendly cover, but it is not the only option. Here is how the others compare, so you can weigh up what is right for your pet and your budget.
Lifetime Insurance
Lifetime pet insurance provides an annual vet fee allowance that refreshes each year you renew. It helps cover long-term and recurring conditions as well as new illnesses or injuries, offering the most comprehensive level of protection throughout your pet’s life. Discover Lifetime
Accident Only Insurance
Accident-only pet insurance covers injuries caused by accidents, such as cuts, broken bones or road accidents. It does not cover illnesses, third party liability or long-term health conditions. This is the most basic type of pet insurance, offering limited cover for unexpected accidents only, often at a lower cost. Discover Accident-Only
Time Limited Insurance
Time-limited pet insurance covers each new illness or injury for up to 12 months from when it was first noticed or treatment started, whichever comes first, or until the vet fee limit is reached, whichever comes first. After that period, the condition is no longer covered. This option can be a lower-cost choice, but it offers less protection for ongoing or recurring health issues over time. Discover Time-Limited