Understanding how to change your pet insurance cover
We understand that your pet insurance needs may change over time. If you’re considering making a change we recommend you contact us beforehand as there are a few things you should consider.
When you can change your cover
This is one of the most common questions we’re asked. While there is some flexibility on when you can make changes, the best time to make a change is during the six-week period before your policy renews (your policy renewal period) as this will result in the least disruption in your policy.
What you can change on your pet insurance policy
When reviewing your needs for your pet’s cover, it’s important to know what changes you can make.
Changing your plan type
You can change your pet’s plan, but doing so means cancelling your existing policy and starting a new one.
- You can change from AcciPet (accidental injury-only cover) to PetCare (cover for accidental injury & illness) only if your pet is less than seven years old.
- You can change from PetCare to AcciPet when your pet is any age.
Changing your level of cover
Other things that you can change include:
- Annual benefit limit
- Annual excess
- Co-payment
- Extra cover option/s, for example consult care extra.
Some limitations apply to some of these changes, for example, if you increase your annual benefit limit any health conditions you have already claimed for will only be covered to the lower, original annual benefit limit. We can talk you through these when you phone to make changes.
How you can make changes to your cover
To make changes to your pet’s insurance policy, you need to call us and we can talk to you about your options, the impacts on your premium, what you can claim for and when any changes will come in to place.
Making changes outside your policy renewal period
If you choose to increase or decrease your cover outside your policy renewal period, we’ll cancel your existing policy and issue you with a new one.
This means we won’t cover any health conditions (including signs, symptoms, or events) you first knew about, or should reasonably have known about:
- before the new policy starts or
- during your new policy’s stand down period, even if they occurred while your existing policy was active.
The only exception is if we agree to cover these health conditions and they are listed in your new certificate of insurance. That’s why the best time to make changes is during your policy renewal period.
This is general information only. We’re happy to answer any questions you have – just get in touch.
