Time Limited Pet Insurance
Get vet fees cover up to £5,000 for short-term treatment. Save with your Clubcard.
97% of claims paid within 5 working days (Jan-Oct 2025).
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance Ltd.
Why choose Tesco Time Limited Pet Insurance?
24/7 vetfone helpline
Get pet advice by phone, live chat or video call whenever you need it - at no extra cost.
Direct payments to your vet
We can pay claims direct to your vet, if they accept direct payments. Excesses will apply.
Spread the cost of your cover
Pay your pet insurance premium monthly by Direct Debit - it won't cost any more.
What is Time Limited Pet Insurance?
Our Time Limited cover helps you to get short-term treatment for your cat or dog, if they get sick or have an accident.
It’s our entry-level Pet Insurance policy, available for cats and dogs from 8 weeks old.
What does our Time Limited Pet Insurance cover?
Time Limited pays for your pet’s condition to be treated by a vet for up to 12 months, or until you reach your vet fees limit, whichever comes first.
You can choose cover of up to £3,000 or £5,000 for your vet fees limit.
All our Pet Insurance policies cover:
- Accident, illness and injury coverAccident, illness and injury cover
- Dental coverDental cover
- Pet travel coverPet travel cover
Your pet insurance excess
Excesses will apply to your policy, which will affect the amount of premium you pay and how much you'll have to pay if you make a claim.
Your excess will increase when your dog turns 5 or 8 years old, depending on their breed. Or when your cat turns 10 years old. And you’ll need to pay 20% of any claim you make after they reach that age too.
Make sure you understand the excesses when you get a quote or start a new policy. You'll find all the information you need in the policy documents.
Vetfone included with Time Limited Pet Insurance
Get advice for your cat or dog, whenever you need it. For health questions, help with their behaviour and nutritional advice. Just call the vetfone helpline.
- Talk to vets and nurses registered with the Royal College of Veterinary SurgeonsTalk to vets and nurses registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
- 24/7 phone, live chat and video calls 24/7 phone, live chat and video calls
- Unlimited calls, at no extra cost Unlimited calls, at no extra cost
Flexible policy benefits
- Spread the cost of your policy - pay monthly by Direct Debit. The good news is, it doesn't cost you more.Spread the cost of your policy - pay monthly by Direct Debit. The good news is, it doesn't cost you more.
- Up to £2,000,000 on third-party liability costs such as injury or property damage (dogs only).Up to £2,000,000 on third-party liability costs such as injury or property damage (dogs only).
- Cover for repeat or emergency treatment when travelling with your pet abroad, as long as you're travelling in line with government guidelines. Check the latest government advice on taking your pet abroad before you plan your trip.Cover for repeat or emergency treatment when travelling with your pet abroad, as long as you're travelling in line with government guidelines. Check the latest government advice on taking your pet abroad before you plan your trip..
Monetary limits, excesses and exclusions apply.
Pet Insurance at Clubcard Prices
Buy or renew a Tesco Pet Insurance policy and save money with your Clubcard. Choose Time Limited, Maximum Benefit or Lifetime.
What your pet’s covered for
Compare our Time Limited, Maximum Benefit and Lifetime Pet Insurance to find the right cover for you and your pet.
Time Limited
Vet fees limit1
£3,000 or £5,000
Vet fees time limit2
12 months from the first treatment date or until you reach the vet fees limit, whichever comes first. As long as:
you renew your policy with no break in cover
your premiums are paid
Maximum Benefit
Vet fees limit1
£5,000 or £7,500
Vet fees time limit2
Until you reach the vet fees limit for each accident or illness. As long as:
you renew your policy with no break in cover
your premiums are paid
Lifetime
Vet fees limit1
£3,000, £5,000, £7,500 or £11,000
Vet fees time limit2
The limit will be reinstated each year. As long as:
we continue to offer you cover
you renew your policy with no break in cover
your premiums are paid
Our Time Limited, Maximum Benefit and Lifetime pet cover all include:
Accident, illness and injury cover.
Dental cover - for accident, illness and injury. As long as your pet has an annual dental check-up and any recommended treatment is done.
Finding your pet - up to £1,000, including any reward.
Theft and Straying - up to £1,500 towards the purchase price if your pet can't be found.
A £12 discount for each pet when you insure more than one with us.
Saying goodbye cover - up to £200. For arranging a cremation or burial.
Pet travel cover - up to your vet fees limit.1
Refunds up to £1,500 for death from an accident or illness.
Unlimited 24/7 pet advice from the vetfone helpline - available through Your Pet Portal.
Excesses will apply to your policy, which will affect the amount of premium you pay and how much you have to pay towards your pet's treatment.
An Overage Excess will apply to your policy when your pet turns a certain age (5 or 8 years old for a dog, depending on the breed, and 10 for a cat). After that, you'll have to pay 20% of any claim you make.
You can also set a Voluntary Excess to 'split the bill' and help reduce your premium. And there are some things you won't need to pay an excess on.
You'll find everything you need to know about excesses in the policy documents.
Notes:
1. The vet fees limit is the maximum amount we’ll pay towards your vet’s bill if you make a claim, once you’ve paid the excess.
2. The vet fees time limit is the amount of time we’ll keep paying towards your pet’s treatment. You need to make sure you renew your policy with no break in cover - we’ll send you a renewal reminder, or you can set your policy to auto-renew, so you don't forget.
Helping you to protect your pets and save money
Lifetime Pet Insurance
Cover for vet fees up to £3,000, £5,000, £7,500 or £11,000, depending on the limit you choose. Available from 8 weeks old.
Your vet fees limit will be reinstated each year, as long as you renew your policy and there’s no break in cover.
Save with a multi pet discount
Get a £12 discount for each pet when you insure more than one with us. Available with all policies. Terms and conditions apply.
What to think about when getting Time Limited Pet Insurance
Important terms for our cover
- Pets must be at least 8 weeks old when cover starts.Pets must be at least 8 weeks old when cover starts.
- Pre-existing injuries and illnesses are not covered. Pre-existing injuries and illnesses are not covered.
- Exclusion periods for injury and illness apply.Exclusion periods for injury and illness apply.
- Certain breeds of dog are not covered.Certain breeds of dog are not covered.
- Monetary limits, excesses and exclusions apply - see the policy documents for details.Monetary limits, excesses and exclusions apply - see the policy documents for details.
Budgeting for increasing renewal prices
As pets get older, they’re unfortunately more likely to get ill. That’s why your renewal price increases each year and your excess will increase when your pet turns a certain age (5 or 8 years old for a dog, depending on the breed, and 10 for a cat).
Please also note, an overage excess will apply to your policy when your pet turns a certain age (5 or 8 years old for a dog, depending on the breed, and 10 for a cat). After that, you'll have to pay 20% of any claim you make.
Making a claim
A claim being paid increases the likelihood of future claims. In turn, this may cause your renewal price to increase. That increase will depend on your pet’s breed, age and health, so there's no limit to how much your renewal price can increase over time.
Make a Pet Insurance claim
Find how to make a claim for your cat or dog, and what to expect from us when you do. You can keep track of your claim through your Pet Portal.
Time Limited Pet Insurance FAQs
Time limited pet insurance covers each illness or injury for a set amount of time, usually 12 months. Cover starts from the first treatment. The amount you’re covered for is a fixed financial limit, known as your vet fees limit.
Time limited means cover is limited to a set amount of time and cost per condition. After this, you’ll need to pay for ongoing treatment yourself.
Yes. Terms like short-term and temporary pet insurance can be used to describe time limited cover. It’s designed to provide affordable protection for new conditions, if your pet gets sick or has an accident.
Time limited pet insurance might suit you if you’re looking for lower-cost cover for your pet. It provides financial help with the treatment of unexpected illnesses or injuries in the short term.
Contact us
Got a question about your pet cover? We’re here to help. Our UK-based call centre is open Monday to Friday 8.30am-6pm, Saturday 9am-1pm.
Important information
Policy documents
Check that Tesco Pet Insurance is right for you
Please read the policy documents to make sure your policy and cover level meet your needs.
The Policy Booklet also gives you information about your right to cancel.
For policies starting on or after 21 January 2025
For policies renewing on or after 1 January 2025
Product information documents
For policies starting on or after 21 January 2025
Tesco Pet Insurance Policy Information Document - Lifetime (96.9kb, PDF)
Tesco Pet Insurance Policy Information Document - Maximum Benefit (240kb, PDF)
Tesco Pet Insurance Policy Information Document - Time Limited (96.1kb, PDF)
For policies renewing on or after 1 January 2025
Renewal costs
It's important to budget for increases to your policy as your pet gets older. Your premiums are likely to go up each year - there's no limit to how much they can go up, and the increase could be significant for you each year and over the policy's lifetime.
Sadly, as cats and dogs get older, they're more likely to get ill. That's why:
- your renewal price will increase each year.your renewal price will increase each year.
- an overage excess will apply to your policy when your pet turns a certain age (5 or 8 years old for a dog, depending on the breed, and 10 for a cat). After that, you'll have to pay your set excess plus 20% of the claim amount.an overage excess will apply to your policy when your pet turns a certain age (5 or 8 years old for a dog, depending on the breed, and 10 for a cat). After that, you'll have to pay your set excess plus 20% of the claim amount.
How much your premium goes up depends a number of things, including your pet's breed, age and health. And there's no limit to how much your renewal price can go up over time. If a claim's paid out on your policy, your premium could more than double at renewal.
How we use your data
Your Tesco Clubcard data
We'll search our records for your Tesco Clubcard number. If you have a Clubcard, we may access and use information from it (including your name, address and details about your transactions). This'll help us, and your insurer, to assess your premium - but don't worry, it'll only be used to make a positive impact on your premium.
How we collect and use your personal data
Tesco Personal Finance Ltd takes the security of your data seriously. You can find detailed information about how we collect and process your data, and your rights under data protection law, in our Privacy Policy.
We collect data when you browse our website (for example, your IP address), request a quote, partially complete a quote, don't purchase a policy or provide data indirectly via a price comparison website. We keep quote data for up to 7 years and may use this information if you apply for one of our products again in the future.
We'll use your data to give you quotes, provide our services to you, carry out eligibility checks, work out insurance risk, manage debt, protect you and us against fraud and financial crime, and manage and develop our business. Automated decisions may be taken to detect crime.
We use data such as your name and address to find any Clubcards that are linked to your address. That might be your Clubcard, the Clubcard of other family members, or the Clubcard of house or flat mates. We may use this information to tailor our communications to you, and to try to bring you better terms, deals or offers, which may include profiling on an on-going basis. We may also award Clubcard points.
Data may be obtained from and shared with the wider Tesco Group and fraud prevention agencies (FPAs). The FPAs will use it to prevent fraud and money-laundering and to verify your identity. If fraud is detected, this may be shared with other organisations and you could be refused certain services, finance or employment.
By proceeding with your application you acknowledge that we can use your data in this way.
Eligibility, exclusions and cover for all policies
Please note the following, which apply to all policies:
- Pets must be at least 8 weeks old when cover starts.
- Pre-existing injuries and illnesses are not covered.
- Monetary limits, excesses and exclusions apply.
We won't offer you cover if:
- Your dog is used for anything work-related. Working dogs would be security/guard dogs, gun dogs, farm dogs, racing dogs and emergency rescue dogs.Your dog is used for anything work-related. Working dogs would be security/guard dogs, gun dogs, farm dogs, racing dogs and emergency rescue dogs.
- Your dog's breed is registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and/or the Dogs (Muzzling) regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991 or any amendments, or any American Bull Dog, American Bully, American Indian Dog, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bandog, Boerboel, Bully Kutta, Canary Dog, Cane Corso, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Dingo, Dogo Argentino, Dogue Brasileros, Fila Brasileiro, Gull Dong, Husky Wolf Hybrid, Irish Staffordshire Blue Bull Terrier, Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, Saarlooswolfhound, Tosa, Tosa Inu, Wolf Hybrid, Wolfdog, XL Bully or any dog crossbred with any of these breeds.Your dog's breed is registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and/or the Dogs (Muzzling) regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991 or any amendments, or any American Bull Dog, American Bully, American Indian Dog, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bandog, Boerboel, Bully Kutta, Canary Dog, Cane Corso, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Dingo, Dogo Argentino, Dogue Brasileros, Fila Brasileiro, Gull Dong, Husky Wolf Hybrid, Irish Staffordshire Blue Bull Terrier, Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, Saarlooswolfhound, Tosa, Tosa Inu, Wolf Hybrid, Wolfdog, XL Bully or any dog crossbred with any of these breeds.
- You're looking for a policy that will not take care of your pet’s veterinary needs now and in the future.You're looking for a policy that will not take care of your pet’s veterinary needs now and in the future.
- You’re looking for vet fees to cover any treatment resulting from an endemic, pandemic, or disease that is legally required to be reported to the government.You’re looking for vet fees to cover any treatment resulting from an endemic, pandemic, or disease that is legally required to be reported to the government.
Pre-existing conditions that won't be covered include:
Our policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. It's important we know of any conditions and/or symptoms your pet's suffering from or has suffered from in the past before you take out a policy. Failure to tell us about any pre-existing conditions may affect future claims and your policy.
Cover for lost or missing pets
If your pet goes missing, all our pet insurance policies will cover your local advertising and reward costs up to £1,000. If the worst happens, and your cat or dog isn't found within 30 days, we’ll also cover the amount you paid or donated for your pet when you bought them, up to a value of £1,500.
Conditions and exclusions apply, so it's best to check the policy documents to find out exactly what you're covered for.
Cover for travelling with your pet
All of our policies provide cover for repeat or emergency treatment when travelling with your pet abroad, as long as you're travelling in line with government guidelines.
You should check the latest government advice on taking your pet abroad before you plan your trip.
Monetary limits, excesses and exclusions apply.
Multi pet discount is a minimum of £24 when insuring more than one pet as this is worked out at £1 per pet per month. Pets can have different cover levels. Discount deducted separately from any other offer.
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance Ltd. Tesco Personal Finance Ltd acts as an introducer to Pinnacle Insurance Ltd which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered Office: 4th Floor, Limelight, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 1JH. Tesco Personal Finance Ltd and Pinnacle Insurance Ltd are not part of the same corporate group.
Vetfone is provided by Vetsdirect Ltd.
Tesco Insurance is a trading name of Tesco Personal Finance Ltd, Registered Office: 2 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9FQ (registered in Scotland, no SC173199) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (register no. 186022).
We do not provide personal recommendations to customers.
Pet insurance guides
Have more than one pet?
If you have more than one cat or dog, you could get a discount with multi pet insurance. Find out more and see which policy's right for you.
Why get pet insurance?
Don't get caught out with unexpected costs. From lost pet cover to help if they're unwell, check out the benefits of pet insurance and find a policy that suits.
Pet insurance glossary
Our pet insurance glossary explains all the terms we use in our policies. Fnd out what everything means, from A to Z.