Co-Payment on Pet Insurance Explained
A co-payment is a percentage of each claim you pay on top of the excess — here's how it works, especially for older pets.
In plain English
A co-payment is a percentage of each claim that you pay yourself, after the fixed excess.
Many policies add a co-payment once your pet reaches a certain age (for example 8 or 10 years old). This is because older pets are statistically more likely to need treatment.
Co-payments are separate from the vet fee limit. They reduce how much the insurer pays towards each bill, but they don't affect the limit itself.
A real-world example
Charlie the Jack Russell. Charlie is 11 years old and has a £1,000 claim for ongoing joint treatment. His policy has a £99 fixed excess and a 20% co-payment for older pets.
- Charlie's owner pays the £99 fixed excess first.
- The remaining £901 is split: 20% (£180.20) is paid by the owner as the co-payment, and the insurer pays £720.80.
- If Charlie's treatment continues in the same policy year, the co-payment usually applies to each new claim — even if the fixed excess does not.
Things to understand before choosing
Age triggers
Co-payments often kick in at a set age. The exact age and percentage vary by insurer — examples include 20% from age 8 or 10.
On top of fixed excess
You typically pay the fixed excess first, then the percentage co-payment on what remains.
Effect on your share
Higher co-payment percentages mean you pay more per claim. Some owners compare policies with different co-payment rules when their pet is approaching the trigger age.
Educational only. ClearPetCover does not recommend specific insurers or policies — always read the policy wording before choosing cover.
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