If you are considering taking out pet insurance to protect yourself against the unexpected costs of pet ownership, or to help spread the cost of routine veterinary care for your pets, these tips will help you to select the best one for you and your pet:

1. First, consider how much you are currently spending on vet bills, and the likely cost of unexpected expenses, such as treatment for injury.  This will help you to decide whether pet insurance is worthwhile, and how much you are prepared to pay in premiums.
   
2. Compare the policies on offer from different companies, and their overall costs, taking into account current and future premiums and any co-payments or deductibles.  Find out whether the company offers any special pet insurance discounts, e.g. for more than one pet. 
   
3. When calculating the overall cost of the policy, take account of any limitations on claims within a specific period, or for particular conditions. If you have to pay a high proportion of vet bills yourself, the policy might not be worthwhile. 
   
4. Consider whether you need a comprehensive policy, which covers both routine and emergency treatment and other events such as theft, or whether a limited cover policy, e.g. for emergency treatment, will be sufficient.  In general, the wider the coverage, the more expensive the premiums will be. 
   
5. Make sure you know exactly what is included. Check whether a policy covers routine veterinary care, how this is defined in the policy, and whether there are any exclusions.  For example, does the policy include vaccinations, dental care, or neutering and spaying?  Also find out whether prescription charges will be reimbursed, as these can form a significant proportion of pet medical costs.
   
6. Be sure to read all the small print relating to any exclusions.  Many policies do not provide cover for pre-existing or hereditary conditions, or for animals below or above a certain age, although some companies will waive certain exclusions for an additional charge.
   
7. Find out whether there is an initial waiting period before you can make a claim.  Normally, accident or injury coverage is provided immediately but sickness cover only after a specified time period.
   
8. Consider whether to take out life-long cover or annual cover.  Annual policies are usually cheaper, but the cover provided for specific illnesses or injuries may be limited to 12 months or less.  A life-long policy will usually continue to provide ongoing cover for conditions which have arisen since the policy was taken out, although there may be an annual limit on the amount which can be claimed.
   
9. If you are insuring a valuable or exotic pet, find out whether any insurance companies offer specialist policies for this type of animal, as their policies may suit your needs better and they may be able to offer you a better deal than companies offering more standard pet insurance.
   
10. Find out whether you are allowed to use any veterinarian or whether you have to use one selected by the insurance company?  If you have to use a vet a long way from home, take into account transport costs and inconvenience when considering the pros and cons of different policies.
    
11. Check what the procedure is for making a pet insurance claim, and whether you have to pay the vet first and be reimbursed or whether the vet can claim direct from the insurance company.  If you have to pay up front, try to find out how long it takes for the company to process claims. 
    
12. If you are taking out a limited-cover policy, find out whether there is an optional wellness plan to complement the insurance.  This could be a good investment if it protects the health of your animal and reduces your likelihood of needing to make an insurance claim.