Pet insurance glossary
Our jargon busting guide to pet insurance
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A
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is herbal or homeopathic medicine recommended by and prescribed by a qualified vet. Some complementary treatments may be referred to as alternative treatments.
C
Claim
You make a claim when you ask your insurer to pay the sum of money owed to you under the terms of your insurance policy.
Complementary therapy
Complementary therapy includes acupuncture, hydrotherapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy or chiropractic therapy where both the therapy and the suitably qualified therapist has been recommended by your vet.
Cooling off period
A cooling-off period (also known as the waiting period) is the time you have to change your mind when buying insurance or other financial products or services. The waiting period is the first 14 days immediately following the start date of the policy before any illness or behavioural problems, or any signs of illness or behavioural problems are covered, and the first 48 hours following the start of the policy for any injury.
D
Defaqto
Defaqto are a leading UK independent financial research company, specialising in rating, comparing and analysing financial products. Defaqto delivers timely and accurate information to all layers of the financial services sector including banks, insurers, advisers, comparison web sites, regulatory agencies and consumers.
Document of pet insurance
The document of insurance is the policy booklet containing the terms and conditions you'll receive with your other pet insurance documents.
E
Excess
The excess is the amount you must pay towards a claim before we’ll make any payment. The excesses that apply to your policy are shown on your schedule.
Exclusions
Exclusions are things your insurance won't cover such as fraud. Please refer to the Pet Document of Insurance for full details of the policy's general exclusions.
I
Insurer
An insurer is a provider of insurance. As an insurer, our details are: Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Limited, registered in England and Wales number 3232514, authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, register number 202965. Registered address: County Gates, Bournemouth, BH1 2NF,Tel 01202 292333.
L
Lifetime policy
Provides cover for long-term and recurring conditions such as arthritis or diabetes that need ongoing treatment throughout your pet's life. The policy still needs to be renewed every 12 months to continue cover. See also Time Limited policy.
P
Pet
Pet means the dog or cat specified in your schedule.
Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)
The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is the Government scheme allowing you to take your pet abroad to certain specified countries and re-enter the United Kingdom without the need for your pet to go into quarantine, as long as you meet the criteria of the scheme.
Policy
Your pet insurance policy is your contract of insurance with us. Please read the document of pet insurance, statement of fact and the schedule as one document.
Policy period
A period of 12 consecutive months beginning on the start date or the renewal date of the insurance as shown on your insurance schedule.
Policy term
The policy term is how long the policy runs; in other words, the period you're covered for.
Policyholder or Policy owner
The policyholder, is the legal owner of the policy, and the person legally entitled to the benefits from it in the event of a claim. They're the main/lead person named on the policy schedule.
Pre-existing condition
A pre-existing condition is a condition or symptom or sign of injury, illness or disease that occurred or existed in any form:
- Prior to the start date of the insurance for your pet
- Within the waiting period
- That was previously covered and has reached either the monetary or time limit that applied to that condition
Premium
A premium is the amount you pay for your policy. You can pay monthly at no extra cost or a one-off payment of the full premium.
R
Related conditions
An illness or injury that affects more than one part of your pet’s body, or occurs more than once, or that your pet is prone or susceptible to.
Renewal date
If you have chosen to pay by direct debit, a renewal date is the date that your policy will renew and you have agreed to pay the appropriate premium to continue with the cover, unless you contact us before this date to cancel the policy. If you have paid the annual premium by card, you won't need to call us to cancel the policy. If you don't call for us to take the next annual payment, your policy will lapse.
Renewal notice
A renewal notice is an invitation we send to you 21 days before your annual policy is up for renewal and due to expire.
S
Schedule
Your schedule includes the:
- period of cover
- details of the policyholder
- details about the insured pet
- excesses that may apply
T
Time limited policy
Provides cover for a condition for the 12 month period immediately following the date your vet first gives treatment for the condition (and provided you continue to pay the premium). See also 'Lifetime policy'.
Treatment
Necessary consultations, examinations, advice, tests, x-rays, drugs, medication, surgery, nursing or care, that is provided by or given under the instruction of a vet in a period of insurance.
V
Vet
A qualified veterinary surgeon registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to practise in the UK, or registered to practise in the country in which treatment is received if this is outside of the UK.
W
Waiting period
A waiting period (also known as the cooling-off period) is the time you have to change your mind when buying insurance or other financial products or services. The waiting period is the first 14 days immediately following the start date of the policy before any illness or behavioural problems, or any signs of illness or behavioural problems are covered, and the first 48 hours following the start of the policy for any injury.
Y
You or your or the policyholder
The person named on the pet insurance schedule who is the owner and legally responsible for the pet.