You might consider switching your pet insurance because you’ve found a different level of cover, want to change your policy type or are looking for a price that better suits your budget.
When comparing pet insurance, it’s also worth considering whether any illnesses, injuries, signs or symptoms your pet has experienced under your existing policy could be treated as pre-existing by your new insurer and may no longer be covered.
Why might I switch pet insurance?
There are several reasons you might consider moving to a different provider.
You may want a different type of cover or vet fee limit, your circumstances or budget may have changed, or you’ve found another policy that you feel better meets your needs.
Whatever the reason, try to compare the overall cover rather than price alone.
Look at the type of policy, vet fee limit, inner limits, excess, co-payment, exclusions and additional benefits alongside the premium.
Related guide: What type of pet insurance is right for me?
Can I switch pet insurance if my pet has an existing medical condition?
You can still change insurer, but this is one of the most important things to consider before switching.
Pet insurance is generally designed to protect against new and unexpected illnesses and injuries. A condition your pet developed while insured with your current provider may therefore be considered pre-existing when you take out a new policy.
Scratch & Patch policies do not cover pre-existing conditions.
This means that if you switch to Scratch & Patch, an illness, injury, sign or symptom that meets the policy definition of a pre-existing condition won’t be covered under your new policy.
Related guide: What is a pre-existing condition in pet insurance?
What if my pet’s previous condition has got better?
Don’t assume that a condition will automatically be covered by a new insurer simply because your pet has recovered or isn’t currently receiving treatment.
Previous illnesses, injuries, signs and symptoms can still be relevant when determining whether something is considered pre-existing.
For example, if your pet experienced symptoms before switching and later develops a related condition, your new insurer may need to consider that previous medical history when assessing a claim.
Always check the new insurer’s definition of a pre-existing condition before switching.
What if my pet has an ongoing condition?
This deserves particular consideration.
Imagine your pet develops an eligible ongoing condition while covered by a Lifetime policy. Your existing policy may continue to provide cover for that condition when the policy renews, provided continuous cover is maintained and the policy terms are met.
If you move to another insurer, however, that condition may be regarded as pre-existing under the new policy and therefore excluded.
The saving from switching could consequently be outweighed by losing insurance cover for an ongoing condition.
Before cancelling an existing policy, make sure you understand how switching could affect any current, previous or recurring medical conditions.
Should I switch pet insurance just because I’ve found a cheaper quote?
Price is important, but there are things to consider.
A cheaper policy could have a lower vet fee limit, different inner limits, a higher excess or co-payment, fewer additional benefits or different exclusions.
It may also work differently if your pet develops a condition requiring treatment over a longer period.
When comparing your current policy with a potential replacement, consider:
- The type of cover
- Overall vet fee limit
- Any inner limits
- Excess and co-payment
- Existing or previous medical conditions
- Policy exclusions and waiting periods
- Additional benefits
- The overall premium
This gives you a much more meaningful comparison than looking at the monthly price alone.
Related guides: How much does pet insurance cost? | How much pet insurance cover do I need?
Are there waiting periods when I switch pet insurance?
A new pet insurance policy will usually have rules governing when cover for accidents and illnesses begins.
With Scratch & Patch, the standard waiting periods are 48 hours for accidents and 14 days for illnesses, subject to the policy terms.
However, where you’re transferring directly from another insurer without a break in cover, Scratch & Patch doesn’t apply the standard waiting periods to new conditions, subject to the applicable policy terms. Pre-existing conditions remain excluded.
This distinction is important: removing a waiting period doesn’t mean a condition that already existed before your Scratch & Patch policy began becomes covered.
Should I cancel my existing policy before buying a new one?
It’s worth being careful about creating a gap between policies.
If you’re planning to switch, check when your existing cover ends and when the replacement policy will begin. A break in insurance could leave your pet without protection and may affect how the new policy’s waiting periods apply.
You should also make sure you understand how cancelling your current policy could affect any ongoing or previous conditions before you make the change.
Can I switch between different types of pet insurance?
When moving insurer, you may be able to choose a completely different type or level of cover.
For example, you might move from Time Limited or Maximum Benefit insurance to a Lifetime policy, or choose a higher vet fee limit.
However, changing to more comprehensive cover doesn’t retrospectively provide protection for conditions that are already pre-existing.
This is particularly important if you’re considering increasing your protection because your pet has recently developed a health problem.
Switching to Scratch & Patch
We offer a choice of Lifetime, Maximum Benefit, Time Limited and Accident Only cover, with different vet fee limits available.
If you transfer directly to us from another insurer without a break in cover, the standard waiting periods for new conditions don’t apply, subject to the applicable policy terms. However, it’s important to remember that Scratch & Patch does not cover pre-existing conditions.
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