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Time Limited Pet Insurance

Provided by Pinnacle Insurance plc

As an alternative to Lifetime and Maximum Benefit, our Time Limited Pet Insurance could be the cover you’ve been looking for. Take out a Time Limited Dog or Cat Insurance policy, and we’ll help look after those furry little paws whenever they get themselves into a scrape or come over a little poorly.

Argos Pet Insurance want to be with you and your pet whenever we can be, not just when they’re a bit under the weather. Though we realise that’s when you need us most. All our policies come with a full complement of benefits to help look after you and your pet.

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Collage image that includes a close-up images of a black and white dog and a ginger cat along with the quote 'Time limited cover limits from £2500'

 

Why choose Time Limited Pet Insurance

 Range of cover levels to choose from across Cat and Dog Insurance

 Vet fees and a full range of benefits included as standard

 24/7 access to qualified vet nurses with Argos Vet Assistance

 Manage your policy in one place with the Argos Pet Portal

A well-behaved Spaniel puppy sitting down

What does Time Limited Pet Insurance mean?

Time Limited means just that really, it’s pet insurance that’s limited to a period of time. In this case, each condition is covered for 12 months from the first treatment date, or until the vet fee limit is used up, whichever is sooner. That’s why it can sometimes be known as 12 month pet insurance. When you take out a Time Limited plan, your pet will be covered for illnesses and injuries up to the vet fee limit of the policy per condition.

Where Time Limited differs from other policies is that as soon as your pet has that first treatment, the time limit on the policy kicks off. From that point, the condition will be covered for 12 months or until the vet fee limit is reached. Reach the limit, or the 12 months expires, whichever is first, the condition is no longer covered. But it is only for that condition, if your pet suffers from a different condition, you can make a new claim, and the process will start again.

What is included with Time Limited Cover?

Time Limited Insurance cover is available for dogs and cats from as soon as they turn 8 weeks old, though there are upper age limits on taking out new policies. There are two cover levels to choose from, giving you either £2,500 or £4,000 to spend per condition on vet bills and treatment for your pet.

Included with every Argos Pet Insurance policy are our features and benefits, that are ready when you need them. If your pet goes missing, we can help with a reward and local advertising to help reunite you with your furry friend. And if you ever have a worry about pet’s health or even their behaviour, our vet nurses are available 24/7 through Argos Vet Assistance.

Got a question?

Getting your head around pet insurance can sometimes can be a little tricky. If you have a question, then the Argos Virtual Assistant and our support FAQs can help.

Visit our FAQs

Compare Time Limited Pet Insurance Cover

So you can easily see the benefits on offer with our Time Limited Pet Insurance cover levels, we’ve created this comparison table for you to review. So you can do a true comparison, we’ve included all our cover types.

Time Limited
Lifetime
Maximum Benefit

Cover for 12 months or up to max amount, whichever occurs first…
Policy Documents
Benefits
£2.5k £4k
Veterinary Fees
Up to £2.5k
per condition
for 12 months		 Up to £4k
per condition
for 12 months
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness
Up to £250 Up to £750
Death from Accident
Up to £250 Up to £750
Finding your Dog
Up to £250 Up to £750
Loss by theft or straying
Up to £250 Up to £750
Third party liability and legal costs
Up to £2m Up to £2m
Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Kennel fees
Up to £150 Up to £500
Holiday cancellation
Up to £250 Up to £1.5k
Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £150 Up to £500
Excesses Payable
£99 per condition £99 per condition
Benefits
£2.5k £4k
Veterinary Fees
Up to £2.5k
per condition
for 12 months		 Up to £4k
per condition
for 12 months
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness
Up to £250 Up to £750
Death from Accident
Up to £250 Up to £750
Finding your Cat
Up to £250 Up to £750
Loss by theft or straying
Up to £250 Up to £750
Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Cattery fees
Up to £150 Up to £500
Holiday cancellation
Up to £250 Up to £1.5k
Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £150 Up to £500
Excesses Payable
£99 per condition £99 per condition

Covers up to max amount each year…
Policy Documents
Benefits
£2k £4.5k £7k
Veterinary Fees
Up to £2k
per year		 Up to £4.5k
per year		 Up to £7k
per year
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Death from Accident
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Finding your Dog
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Loss by theft or straying
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Third party liability and legal costs
Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m
Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Kennel fees
Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k
Holiday cancellation
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £3k
Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k
Excesses Payable
£99 per condition
per year		 £99 per condition
per year		 £99 per condition
per year
Benefits
£1k £3.5k £7k
Veterinary Fees
Up to £1k
per year		 Up to £3.5k
per year		 Up to £7k
per year
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Death from Accident
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Finding your Cat
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Loss by theft or straying
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Cattery fees
Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k
Holiday cancellation
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £3k
Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k
Excesses Payable
£99 per condition
per year		 £99 per condition
per year		 £99 per condition
per year

Covers up to a max amount per condition…
Policy Documents
Benefits
£2k £5k
Veterinary Fees
Up to £2k
per condition		 Up to £5k
per condition
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness
Up to £750 Up to £750
Death from Accident
Up to £750 Up to £750
Finding your Dog
Up to £750 Up to £750
Loss by theft or straying
Up to £750 Up to £750
Third party liability and legal costs
Up to £2m Up to £2m
Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Kennel fees
Up to £500 Up to £500
Holiday cancellation
Up to £750 Up to £750
Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £500 Up to £500
Excesses Payable
£99 per condition £99 per condition
Benefits
£2k £5k
Veterinary Fees
Up to £2k
per condition		 Up to £5k
per condition
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness
Up to £750 Up to £750
Death from Accident
Up to £750 Up to £750
Finding your Cat
Up to £750 Up to £750
Loss by theft or straying
Up to £750 Up to £750
Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Cattery fees
Up to £500 Up to £500
Holiday cancellation
Up to £750 Up to £750
Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £500 Up to £500
Excesses Payable
£99 per condition £99 per condition

Time Limited

Cover for 12 months or up to max amount, whichever occurs first…

Lifetime

Covers up to max amount each year…

Maximum Benefit

Covers up to a max amount per condition…
Benefits Benefits Benefits
£2.5k £4k £2k £4.5k £7k £2k £5k
Veterinary Fees Veterinary Fees Veterinary Fees
Up to £2.5k
per condition
for 12 months		 Up to £4k
per condition
for 12 months		 Up to £2k
per year		 Up to £4.5k
per year		 Up to £7k
per year		 Up to £2k
per condition		 Up to £5k
per condition
Argos Vet Assistance Argos Vet Assistance Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal Argos Pet Portal Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness Death from illness Death from illness
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Death from Accident Death from Accident Death from Accident
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Finding your Dog Finding your Dog Finding your Dog
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Loss by theft or straying Loss by theft or straying Loss by theft or straying
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Third party liability and legal costs Third party liability and legal costs Third party liability and legal costs
Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m
Cremation & burial costs Cremation & burial costs Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Kennel fees Your Hospitalisation / Kennel fees Your Hospitalisation / Kennel fees
Up to £150 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k Up to £500 Up to £500
Holiday cancellation Holiday cancellation Holiday cancellation
Up to £250 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £3k Up to £750 Up to £750
Emergency Expenses Abroad Emergency Expenses Abroad Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £150 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k Up to £500 Up to £500
Excesses Payable Excesses Payable Excesses Payable
£99 per condition £99 per condition £99 per condition
per year		 £99 per condition
per year		 £99 per condition
per year		 £99 per condition £99 per condition
Benefits Benefits Benefits
£2.5k £4k £1k £3.5k £7k £2k £5k
Veterinary Fees Veterinary Fees Veterinary Fees
Up to £2.5k
per condition
for 12 months		 Up to £4k
per condition
for 12 months		 Up to £1k
per year		 Up to £3.5k
per year		 Up to £7k
per year		 Up to £2k
per condition		 Up to £5k
per condition
Argos Vet Assistance Argos Vet Assistance Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal Argos Pet Portal Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness Death from illness Death from illness
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Death from Accident Death from Accident Death from Accident
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Finding your Cat Finding your Cat Finding your Cat
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1k Up to £750 Up to £750
Loss by theft or straying Loss by theft or straying Loss by theft or straying
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Cremation & burial costs Cremation & burial costs Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Cattery fees Your Hospitalisation / Cattery fees Your Hospitalisation / Cattery fees
Up to £150 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k Up to £500 Up to £500
Holiday cancellation Holiday cancellation Holiday cancellation
Up to £250 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £3k Up to £750 Up to £750
Emergency Expenses Abroad Emergency Expenses Abroad Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £150 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k Up to £500 Up to £500
Excesses Payable Excesses Payable Excesses Payable
£99 per condition £99 per condition £99 per condition
per year		 £99 per condition
per year		 £99 per condition
per year		 £99 per condition £99 per condition

Other Excesses

When your dog reaches 8 years old (for restricted breeds of dog this is 5 years) your excess will change from £99 to the greater of £99 or 20%
contribution toward each vet claim made.

When your cat reaches 10 years old your excess will change from £99 to the greater of £99 or 20% contribution toward each vet claim made.

Please note that we won’t cover any pre-existing conditions and that terms, conditions, excesses, exclusions and limitations apply. Also, you should note that there is a £100 excess for Third Party Liability. Please note these values are subject to change. Please find further information on restricted breeds here.  Please note these values are subject to change. You can find out more about the terms of our cover in our policy documents.

Which pet insurance, Time Limited or Lifetime?

Deciding which pet insurance to choose from, Time Limited or Lifetime Cover is one thing, but there is also Maximum Benefit as well as Accident Only to consider. However, we don’t offer Accident Only, so you will need to look at another provider if it’s a consideration.

Now you’ve read up on Time Limited, we’ll jump to Lifetime and Maximum Benefit. Lifetime protects your pet up to a set vet fee limit, which resets every year, and gives you peace of mind new conditions will always be covered. Maximum Benefit covers every new condition your pet comes down with up to a set vet fee limit per condition, reach the limits and then conditions are no longer covered.

We understand it can be a difficult decision when it comes to pet insurance, Time Limited or Lifetime or Maximum Benefit? Take your time, get some pet insurance quotes, and make the choice based on the needs of you and your pet, then you should be fine.

Frequently asked questions

What happens after 12 months?

If you have your pet covered by Time Limited Pet Insurance, have not made a claim and continue to renew, and your pet will be covered for any condition it comes down with.

If you do make a claim, within the 12 months of the time limit, you can make ongoing claims up to the vet fee limit. However, if the 12 months is up or if you max out the benefit first, the condition is no longer covered. You won’t be able to claim for that condition again, instead, you’ll need to cover the costs.

What are the ins and outs of Time Limited Pet Insurance?

While a time limit may sound a little restrictive, there can be benefits to every kind of cover. Here’s a breakdown of Time Limited Pet Insurance.

 Cover tends to be less expensive than Maximum Benefit or Lifetime Cover

 Each condition has its own vet fee limit

 Ideal for one-off short-term illnesses or injuries

  • Single conditions are only covered for 12 months or up to the vet fee limit
  • Conditions are no longer covered once the 12 months is up or the vet fees have been spent, whichever is first
  • Pre-existing conditions are not covered
  • Routine care like vaccinations or procedures like neutering are not covered

Should I get Time Limited Pet Insurance?

Deciding which pet insurance is down to you, we can’t offer a recommendation of one over the others. Just read all the info for all the different cover types so you can make the choice. Armed with that information, then you should consider your pet and their history.

Types of pet insurance are similar but different at the same time. They all have vet fee limits included and come with a full range of features and benefits, so why should you choose Time Limited over more long-term, comprehensive cover like Lifetime Pet Insurance?

You and your pet might be in a position where you’re switching providers and are comfortable with pre-existing conditions being excluded from a new policy. It might be the case that as you know your pet’s medical history inside out, that you only need to cover your pet for one-off short-term conditions. Or it could be that it’s the only affordable option for you.

If this applies to you and you’re comfortable to cover costs if your pet suffers the same condition after 12 months, then Time Limited Pet Insurance could be the right cover for you.

You should be aware that your premiums will go up every year, and some of the rises can be significant. We’re not making a recommendation, just giving you all the info on all the different covers so you can make the choice.

Terms and Conditions

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.

Argos Limited is an Appointed Representative of Home Retail Group Insurance Services Limited (HIS). HIS is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (register number 314050). Registered office: 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no 04109436).  HIS act as an introducer to Pinnacle Insurance plc, who sell, administer and underwrite the policy and who are authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered office: Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 2XX (registered in England and Wales, no 01007798) . HIS and Pinnacle Insurance plc are not part of the same corporate group.