1) Type of animal
It is always worth questioning whether or not it is worth insuring your pet. Consider how much vet bills be when compared to the monthly premiums; if you have a dog, cat or horse, the answer is likely "yes". If you have a hamster or gerbil, however, it is less likely to need medical attention, while it only has a life expectancy of around three years. Naturally, if your choice of pet is more rare or exotic, it will cost more to insure; it may, however, be very much worth it.

2) Age
Many companies will not insure a pet once it has passed a certain age. With dogs, this is usually around eight or ten years old, though other breeds can be as low as five years old. Once your pet is insured, insurers will continue to provide cover for the rest of its life, though many reserve the right to have a cut-off for age. Before buying pet insurance, check a policy because some insurers may increase premiums or excesses as pets get older.

3) Breed
The cost of owning pedigree pets can be much more expensive than owning a cross-breed, due to higher day-to-day costs and vet bills. This is because a lot of them are open to hereditary conditions, so this may essentially cost more in the long run. In this case, it is best to insure pedigrees when they are puppies or kittens to provide adequate levels of long-term cover.

4) Risk factor
Consider the day-to-day risk factors of your animal before buying pet insurance. If, for example, you have an indoor cat, it is unlikely to be involved in a car accident though could be hurt by fittings and items around the house. If you live on a busy road, meanwhile, it is very important to consider these risks.

These factors, alongside many others, will give you a better idea of what your pet needs in terms of insurance. Don't discount the idea of investing in your pet entirely, though - only you can put a price on your pet's life. Try searching dog insurance quotes with www.petsathome.com..