Not so very long ago, the idea of insuring a pet was almost laughable. It was the sort of thing reserved for those who owned posh pooches, the cr'me de la cr'me of the pet world. It made sense to insure pedigreed pups and their feline companions when they cost so much. Things have taken a turn, though. Rising vet fees and publicity about the expenses of owning and caring for a pet have prompted many people to invest in insurance for their pets.

Of course, the trick is to find the right pet insurance policy - the one that offers the best cover for your pet at the lowest price for you. The internet makes the process of comparing and choosing the best pet insurance policy far easier and quicker, and allows you to purchase and pay for your choice instantly online. Here are some tips to help you find and choose the best pet insurance.

1. Evaluate your needs and prioritise.

This is always a good first step, but especially so for pet insurance which covers so many different options. Do you need a policy that will cover a lifelong condition like diabetes? Do you have a pedigree pet? Is your pet a breed that has a higher chance of snapping or biting others? In each case, you'll want to be sure that the insurance you choose covers specific claims. So know what you need before you start searching.

2. Search for "pet insurance reviews" in your favorite search engine.

A search for "pet insurance" will bring up lots of individual insurers. That's helpful, but it's not much better than calling around to each insurer. By searching for reviews, you'll come up with a list of internet sites that allow you to check out and compare many different insurers at once. Some may even compare policies side by side for cost and benefits, and many include reviews from people who have used the firm's insurance. Some of the criteria you might use for comparison are:

-Premiums - how much does the policy cost per month?

-Voluntary Excess - do you pay an excess for each condition, or an overall excess per annum?

-Benefit Caps - how much will the policy reimburse in total? Is that per condition, per incident or overall?

Other benefits - policies offer a wide variety of other benefits from discounts on pet care products to paying kennel fees if the owner is hospitalized overnight. They may include reimbursement for expenses to find a lost pet or for canceled holiday tickets if your pet becomes ill and you return home early.

3. Narrow your choices and investigate further.

Read any reviews offered by customers on the review site, then check the company's own web site. Do a further web search to check for any complaints that might be on discussion forums.

4. Apply for the policy that suits you best.

Before you enter any personal information, be sure that you're on a legitimate web site and that the page on which you enter and submit your information is secure. Most insurers will confirm the acceptance of your policy immediately, and some will even email your policy documents.