What kinds of vet visits a policy actually pays out for. And why 'accident only' leaves the bigger gap uninsured.
What kinds of vet visits the policy actually pays out for. "Accident only" plans cover accidental injuries, (for example, being hit by a car, swallowing something they shouldn't, a torn ligament from a bad landing) but not illness. "Accident & illness" plans cover both, so conditions like cancer, diabetes or an ongoing chronic condition are covered.
Within that, plans vary on what's included as standard versus offered as a separate paid add-on. Things like consultation fees, dental care, emergency boarding or overseas travel cover. FurWise shows how broad that standard cover is.
It's worth knowing that illness, not accident, drives most vet claims. Southern Cross Pet Insurance has reported that around 80% of the claims it pays out are for illness rather than accidental injury. An accident-only plan, despite sounding like solid protection, leaves the more common and often more expensive category of vet bills entirely uninsured.