There are lots of factors which can affect your pet insurance in the UK, from the type of pet you want to insure to where you live and what sort of area that is. With so many things to consider, organising pet insurance can leave you with more questions than you may have expected, which you want clearing up for your own peace of mind. So, we’ve covered a few of the more frequently asked questions around transferring policies and how your location can affect the cost of insuring a pet.

Can a pet insurance policy transfer to a new owner?

If you no longer own a particular pet, maybe after finding a new home for your cat or dog due to unavoidable circumstances, you will need to contact your pet insurance provider about what you can do about your policy. Sometimes family members can no longer look after a beloved pet, so by taking them in you can keep them in the family and potentially take over the existing pet insurance policy.

Depending on who is taking over ownership of the pet, you may be able to request that your existing policy is transferred to whoever is giving your pet their new home. However, this is entirely at the discretion of your provider and they’ll likely want all the details of the new potential policyholder including payment information in order to consider this option.

Does a pet insurance policy transfer if you move home?

Yes - when you move home, you’ll need to update your pet insurance details so that everything is up to date so your insurer knows your current address if you need to make a claim. You’ll likely need to update your pet’s microchip details at the same time, so it makes sense to do it all at once. Your existing pet insurance policy will remain in place, but the cost of your policy may change based on your new location.

Is pet insurance more expensive in cities?

The cost of living is relatively higher in cities, as is the cost of operating a business – both of which factor into the price of vets’ bills. The amount you’ll pay to have your pet treated will vary up and down the country, from town to city to village.

Vets practices may have to charge more in cities in order to cover their operational costs and pay the wages of the practice staff. This can mean that pet insurers will need to pay out more in order to cover the cost of treatment for vets in urban areas when compared to rural areas, which could then be reflected in the excess and premiums you’ll pay on your pet’s insurance policy.

Why does the cost of pet insurance change with different UK postcodes?

As you might expect, the cost of pet insurance has more layers to it that just whether the place you live is urban or rural. Pet insurance providers look at lots of data about your specific postcode to determine how much you might pay for your pet’s treatment and average claim prices in the area, helping to set your premiums and excess at a level which will match these figures.

If these answers have helped you to reach some conclusions about pet insurance then that’s great, but we also have answers to many more questions about pet insurance right here. If you’re looking to insure a pet then take a look at our Time Limited and Lifetime pet cover policies, which can help give your four legged friend the cover they need.