What should you look for when choosing insurance?

● Limits on the maximum amount for any one condition.

● Limits on the total amount to be claimed in any one year.

● Ensure that the policy includes cover for the loss of your pet by theft or straying.

● Check that dental problems are covered.

● Look at the amount of excess you will have to pay, and particularly watch out for policies that have 'co-excesses' where you pay a percentage of any claim. Some treatments can cost more than £1,000 so if you agree to pay 10 per cent of any claim as an excess you might find yourself paying a large amount towards your pet's treatment.

Factors that can affect your premiums

● Pet's age - most insurers will not accept puppies aged less then eight weeks of age or dogs more than twelve years old. If a company does accept older pets then they are likely to charge a higher premium and the owner will have to pay more in excess.

● Postcode - premiums can vary depending on where you live because vets fees are more expensive in some areas than others. (Inner city compared to a rural area, for example).

● Owner's details - surprisingly, the cost may vary depending on the gender, age and marital status of the dog's owner.

● Care - dogs that have been neutered and microchipped often have a lower premium because a microchipped pet is more likely to be returned if he gets lost and insurers regard this as a sign of a caring owner.

● Pedigree status - some breeds are genetically more prone to certain conditions than others.