What is an excess?
Think of your excess as your share of the vet bill. You only pay the excess once per condition, per policy year.
It's the fixed amount you agree to pay towards each new condition when you take out your policy. After you've paid it, we step in and cover the rest (up to your cover limits).
Example: Diarrhoea and vomiting
Let's say your dog has an upset tummy and needs a vet visit, medication and fluids.
Total vet bill: £400
Your excess: £100
You pay the first £100. We cover the remaining £300.
What is co-payment?
Co-payment (sometimes called "co-pay") is the percentage of a claim you're responsible for paying, on top of your excess. It's one of two contributions you might make towards the cost of a claim, the other being your excess.
How does co-payment work?
When you make a claim, we work it out in two steps:
We deduct your excess first, a fixed amount, if applicable to your policy.
We then apply your co-payment percentage to whatever's left.
Unlike excess, which you only pay once per medical condition per policy year, co-payment applies to every claim you make.
Worked example
Let's say your policy has a £149 excess and a 10% co-payment, and your vet bill comes to £800.
Step 1: Deduct the excess £800 − £149 = £651 remaining
Step 2: Apply the co-payment 10% of £651 = £65.10
Step 3: Add up what you pay £149 excess + £65.10 co-payment = £214.10 total
Step 4: We pay the rest £800 − £214.10 = £585.90 covered by us
Where do I find my excess and co-payment?
Your specific excess amount and co-payment percentage are shown on your policy schedule. You can choose an excess of £49, £99, £149, £199 or £249, and a co-payment of 0%, 10% or 25%, when you take out or renew your policy. These can also vary depending on your pet's age.
Does co-payment ever change?
If you've opted for a co-payment, it applies to every claim as normal. It can also increase if your pet is 9 or older, from your first policy or renewal after your pet's 9th birthday, a minimum co-payment of 25% (and minimum excess of £99) applies, unless your pet has been insured with us continuously for 3 years or more before that renewal.