While some people opt against insuring their pet, it can offer you more than just peace of mind. It goes without saying that vet bills for your furry or feathered friend can be exceedingly expensive.
In this guide we look at all the various pet insurance policies on offer from E & L, so you can quickly decide if it has the insurance deal you’re after for your pet.
Who is E & L?
The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company has been offering pet and horse owners protection for their critters for over 20 years now.
Labelling themselves a “niche insurance” specialist, E & L has specially trained insurance teams that will make sure you get the right policy for your animals.
E & L pet insurance is underwritten by Equine and Livestock Insurance Co Ltd, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
What are E & L’s cover options?
When it comes to cats and dogs, E & L has three different levels of cover you can get, ranging from Silver to Diamond. If you have an older pooch or feline friend, it offers senior insurance policies too.
Should you be after protection for your feathered friend then you have less choice, but you can still get two types of cover: one policy is for small birds, and the other is for birds of prey or exotic birds.
Silver dog cover is the most basic level of protection you can get for your pooch and it will cover vet fees for up to £4,000 over the year.
There is a £1,000 limit per condition, plus an illness or injury won’t be covered for longer than 12 months. Watch out for this, as long-term or recurring injuries might leave you out of pocket.
Features of this policy include:
Cover up to a certain amount for vet fees following an injury or illness.
Cover for injuries and illnesses will stop 12 months from the date clinical symptoms first appeared.
Third-party liability cover up to a set amount.
Emergency kennel services if you go into hospital.
Compensation and financial help if dog is lost or stolen.
Up to 45% discount for policies bought online.
Discounts also available when insuring more than one pet.
If your dog is over the age of 8, you can get a Senior Silver policy.
Gold dog cover
With Gold dog cover you get all the same benefits as you would with Silver. However, you’ll get greater financial protection for each particular type of claim, whether it’s vet fees, holiday cancellation costs or paying for third-party property damage. Features of this policy include:
Cover up to a certain amount for vet fees following an injury or illness.
Cover for injuries and illnesses will stop 12 months from the date clinical symptoms first appeared.
Third party liability cover up to a set amount.
Emergency kennel services if you go into hospital.
Compensation and financial help if dog is lost or stolen.
Up to 45% discount for policies bought online.
Discounts also available when insuring more than one pet.
If your dog is over the age of 8, you can get a Senior Gold policy.
Diamond dog cover
Diamond dog cover is the most comprehensive policy you can get for your four-legged friend. If you’re willing to pay the higher premium costs, you’ll get the highest levels of financial help on offer. Features of this policy include:
Cover up to a certain amount for vet fees following an injury or illness.
Cover for injuries and illnesses will stop 12 months from the date clinical symptoms first appeared.
Third-party liability cover up to a set amount.
Emergency kennel services if you go into hospital.
Compensation and financial help if dog is lost or stolen.
Up to 45% discount for policies bought online.
Discounts also available when insuring more than one pet.
If your dog is over the age of 8, you can get a Senior Diamond policy.
Silver cat cover
This is the most basic level of insurance you can get for your cat. It will cover up to £4,000 in vet fees, although each specific condition and medical issue will have a financial cap of £1,000. Here are this policy’s key features:
Cover for all new injuries and illnesses up to the annual limit each policy year.
If you don’t reach the annual limit, cover for a specific illness or injury will stop 12 months from the day your pet first showed symptoms.
Cattery fees are covered, which means financial help with boarding, personal accident or a pet going missing.
Holiday cancellation or curtailment cover.
Financial help with finding a lost or stolen pet, including paying for advertising and a reward, up to a certain cost.
10% discount when you insure more than one pet.
If your cat is aged 8 or over, you can get a Senior Silver policy.
Gold cat cover
With Gold cat cover your feline friend will get all of the same benefits as Silver. However, Gold offers more financial help with any claims you might make, whether it’s vet fees, cattery bills or holiday cancellation costs.
Cover for all new injuries and illnesses up to the annual limit each policy year.
If you don’t reach the annual limit, cover for a specific illness or injury will stop 12 months from the day your pet first showed symptoms.
Cattery fees are covered, which means financial help with boarding, personal accident or a pet going missing.
Holiday cancellation or curtailment cover.
Financial help with finding a lost or stolen pet, including paying for advertising and a reward, up to a certain cost.
10% discount when you insure more than one pet.
If your cat is aged 8 or over, you can get a Senior Gold policy.
Diamond cat cover
This is the most comprehensive insurance policy E & L offers for your cat. You get all the same key benefits as with Silver and Gold. However, with Diamond you get the highest levels of financial protection available.
Cover for all new injuries and illnesses up to the annual limit each policy year.
If you don’t reach the annual limit, cover for a specific illness or injury will stop 12 months from the day your pet first showed symptoms.
Cattery fees are covered, which means financial help with boarding, personal accident or a pet going missing.
Holiday cancellation or curtailment cover.
Financial help with finding a lost or stolen pet, including paying for advertising and a reward, up to a certain cost.
10% discount when you insure more than one pet.
If your cat is aged 8 or over, you can get a Senior Diamond policy.
Bird cover
Whether you have a budgie or a parrot, E & L offers pet insurance for birds too. You’ll have to pay more money in premiums if your feathered friend is exotic or a bird of prey, however you will also get more financial coverage should anything happen. Here are the key features whatever your bird type:
Up to £3,500 in vet fees are covered for bigger or exotic birds.
10% multi-bird discount.
Cover for aviaries, birdrooms and equipment is available too.
Cover if your bird dies by accident, illness or disease.
Cover for theft, personal accident and public liability is also available.
What’s covered under my policy?
E & L’s policies will protect your pets against certain risks. We’ve looked in brief at some key features of its pet insurance deals, but if you’re after some more detail check out our table below.
It lays out exactly what you can expect from its Silver, Gold and Diamond policies for both cats and dogs.
Benefits
Silver Dog
Gold Dog
Diamond Dog
Silver Cat
Gold Cat
Diamond Cat
Injury veterinary fees
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Illness veterinary fees
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Third-party liability
✓
✓
✓
Loss and recovery of your pet
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Emergency boarding and pet minding services
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Holiday cancellation fees
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Death from illness
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Death from accident
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Accidental damage
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
What exclusions are there?
As with all insurance providers, E & L has a list of general exclusions which it will refuse to payout for:
Pre-existing conditions.
Any conditions which show clinical symptoms within the first 14 days of policy inception.
Any conditions excluded from cover.
Routine and preventative treatments like vaccinations, killing and controlling fleas, spaying, grooming and certain dental procedures.
Death if the animal is aged 8 years or over, plus costs relating to euthanasia.
Pregnancy and birth.
Any dog used for trade or business, unless specified when you took out your policy.
Any illness or injury that happens outside the UK.
If your dog or cat is aged over 8. Though, you can get a Senior policy instead.
Any of the following breeds: American Bandog/Bandogge Mastif, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Argentine Dogos, Canary Dogs, Cane Corsos, Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs, Dogo Argentinos, Dogue Brasileros, Fila Brasileros, Irish Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Korean Jindos, Perro De Presa Canarios, Pit Bull Mastiff, Pit Bull Terriers, Presa Canarios, Racing Greyhounds, Sarlooswolfhounds, Tosa Inus, Wolf Hybrids, any dogs that are bred with any of these breeds.
How much is the excess?
With any insurance, an excess is the amount of money you pay towards a claim before the insurer starts contributing. When it comes to pet insurance, you’ll have to pay an excess for each injury, illness or other claimable incident.
How much you pay in excess will depend on various factors, such as the number of claims you make, the age of your pet and where you live.
What is the claims process for E & L pet insurance?
To make a claim you will first need to obtain a claim form from E & L. You can download one of these from the claims section on the E & L website: www.eandl.co.uk. Or you can call E & L on 03300 243 438 or email the provider at claims@eandl.co.uk, and one of its representatives will send you a claim form in the post.
Along with the form you’ll need to provide relevant information, such as what illness your pet has and your vet’s contact information. E & L should then get back to you within five working days of you sending the form, letting you know the outcome of its decision.
How much will this cost me?
There are a number of factors that can affect the cost of your E & L pet insurance premium, including:
The level of cover you choose. A Diamond policy will give your pet more protection than a Silver insurance deal, and this is reflected in the price.
How many pets you would like to insure. While E & L offers a discount for insuring multiple pets, you will obviously pay more if you want to cover two critters or more.
Your pet’s risk. Factors such as where you live and the age of your furry or feathered friend will dictate your premium and excess costs.
E & L pros and cons
Pros
10% discount when you insure multiple pets.
Three cover levels on offer.
Senior policies available for pets older than 8.
It’s up to you whether you pay premiums monthly or annually.
Cover for birds too.
Cons
No policies that provide cover for pre-existing conditions.
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Esther Wolffowitz was a publisher at finder.com specialising in insurance. Esther holds an MSc in Media and Communication Governance from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). See full bio
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