By: Nicholas Hunt

A dependable pet insurance policy can be a literal life-saver if your pet has to have veterinary care that you couldn't otherwise afford. Whether it's down to an injury or condition, the large vet charges could easily force you into having your pet euthanised if it wasn't for the financial support that insurance provides.

Nonetheless, as with all affairs economic, things aren't always so easy. Pet insurance products can vary widely in what exactly they'll approve a claim for, and so it makes sense to read the fine print before taking out a policy to make certain that everything you need to be covered is so. It's a good idea to look at what's expressly barred from cover as well as what's covered, and some examples of standard exclusions are discussed below.

Everyday Maintenance: The prices of pet grooming, teeth hygiene, flea control and general exams are not commonly covered by pet insurance.

Vaccinations: Although it is a good idea to immunize your pet against common illnesses, the cost will commonly have to be carried by yourself and not the insurance company.

Small Costs: Most offerings have an 'excess' sum under which claims will be rejected. Lower excess levels usually mean higher premiums.

Existing Conditions: Charges resulting from conditions or illnesses which were already present when the insurance policy was issued will not usually be allowed.

Lifetime Treatments: Some policies will only allow claims for the first 12 months of a long term intervention such as that for diabetes.

These are only a sampling of the more popular exclusions present in pet insurance policies, and naturally each insurance policy will have its own small print to interpret. However boring it may well be, it's essential to read this before selecting the policy if you want to be certain your policy won't end up being worthless when you want to call on it.

About the author: Nicholas writes for http://www.petinsuranceinfo.co.uk/ where you can read more information on choosing a good pet insurance policy.