What does pet insurance do?
These are policies that help you cover the cost of veterinary treatment and medical expenses if a pet is injured or sick.
Available policies can vary significantly in cost, what they cover and what they don’t.
More comprehensive policies cover:
Dental cost
Loss of a pet through theft and third-party liability – where a pet has caused harm or damage to property or a person.
We have been working with pets and their owners for over 40 years and we know that each year more people claim their pet insurance than their home or car insurance. So, if you’re preparing to bring home a new puppy—or even revisit an old one—you can’t leave insurance off your to-do list.
A good policy will cover you against accidents, diseases, property damage and much more. Some policies may seem inexpensive initially but may place restrictive limits on the terms you can claim or the amount they will pay in vet fees.
Avoidance of chronic conditions
Long-term or chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes can mean that your dog needs lifelong treatment. What’s more, they can have more than one different health condition at the same time. Costs can really add up and insurance is the best way to ensure that your dog gets the treatment they need.
However, not all policies are created equal. Some insurers’ plans don’t pay for long-term or recurring health conditions or even dental work. As well as the restrictions on cover, some insurers have even lower limits on the amount to be paid for veterinary charges. This could mean that you will have to pay a large portion of the bill out of your own pocket, even if you are uninsured.
Take Petplan’s Covered for Life® policy and we’ll pay ongoing costs for any new illnesses your dog develops as long as you renew without a break in cover, as long as you’re insured with us. Your dog will receive the best care year after year.
Do I need pet insurance?
If you’re not sure if pet insurance is worth it, consider how you’ll deal with an unexpected bill.
The cost can vary depending on the treatment and where you are, but it can go into the hundreds and often thousands of pounds.
You have to balance this with the cost of your premium and what you are likely to claim.
Whether or not pet care adda insurance is worth taking depends on many different factors.
for example:
How old is your pet?
Older animals can cost more to insure, but they are often more likely to need medical attention.
What kind of pet do you have
Most policies are taken out for cats and dogs, and insurers for these animals are easy to find.
You can also get insurance for small mammals, such as gerbils, rabbits, and hamsters. But their short lifespan means it’s not necessarily a good value in credit card processing.
Exotic pets such as lizards, snakes, and parrots are difficult to insure
because there are not many companies offering this service. But it is worth shopping around.
Can you insure yourself?
It’s a valid option, but you need a lot of discipline to make sure money is always available, especially if you’re covering expensive, ongoing care.
how risky is your pet
for example, pedigree dogs and cats may be more susceptible to congenital diseases and hereditary conditions.
They are also more likely to be stolen. Similarly, certain breeds are more susceptible to specific problems – for example, larger dogs are more likely to suffer from joint problems.
In many cases, it is possible to obtain pre-authorization for the treatment that your pet needs, which means you do not need to pay for your pet’s veterinary treatment before claiming it back.
For example, our innovative, award-winning Pawtal system allows veterinarians to obtain pre-authorization for treatment within hours (as long as applications are sent before 5 p.m.) to ensure prompt treatment.
The risk that an owner will be faced
Without adequate cover, there is always a risk that an owner will be faced with making medical decisions based on what is best for their pet. In some cases, having pet insurance can literally be a lifesaver.
Here at Animal Friends we strongly believe that every pet should have some level of cover, which is why we offer a range of policies at different price points. It is important to find a policy that best suits your pet’s needs and your budget.
The cost of veterinary treatment is rising every year, so the millions of owners who don’t have insurance must ask themselves: Can I really not insure my pet?
Self-insurance can leave you high and dry
Some pet owners decide to ‘self-insure’ – in other words, to take out money themselves each month for vet bills. But sadly, it’s not just large dogs that get sick or injured.
If your puppy requires an operation in its first few years, you may find that you do not have enough money left over to cover the cost of their care.
And if they develop a chronic condition that requires treatment and medication over many years, insurance will provide better value over the long term.
Know your breed
We love our dog’s quirks, but certain breeds are more prone to ongoing health conditions because of their genetics. Don’t let your policy take you out of your pocket.
For example, we find that smaller breeds like Border Terriers and Cockapoos are prone to disorganized knee flexion, also known as patella luxation.
while Labradors often eat things they shouldn’t thanks to their large appetites And end up with gastrointestinal problems.
Your dog’s breed also affects how much you will pay for insurance. For example, owning a pedigree will usually mean a higher premium.
This is because such breeds are more prone to long-term health conditions, which can result in increased veterinary costs.
Ensuring that your policy covers everything you might need will enable you to avoid unexpected bills and focus on keeping your dog happy and healthy
Find out what to look for with our dog breed advice pages below.
dog breeds
We cover loss, theft, and property damage Not only do we cover vet fees as standard but we also offer many other benefits that you might never think of needing to claim.
For example could you pay a reward if your dog was lost or stolen.
if you fell ill and were unable to care for them if they needed to be in the kennel? Are? Pet insurance can help cover you in such cases.
In addition to vet fees, our policies also cover you for:
Hospital overnight fees while your dog is recovering from veterinary treatment.
If there are some complementary treatments recommended by the vet.
Advertising and reward costs if your dog is lost or stolen – we may also cover the purchase price if you are not able to recover them.
Contribution to the accommodation fee if your dog is lost overseas.
requires you to stay in the country as a result. Third-Party Liability Insurance If your dog damages someone’s property and you are legally liable.
What can pet insurance cover?
Like other forms of insurance, pet insurance policies can vary widely. Available cover can be broken down into the costs.
associated with vet bills and the items included on top of them.
vet bills
These can be unpredictable and often costly. Covering them is the main reason people take out pet insurance.
Go through your policy carefully to understand what can be claimed, how much you will get and for how long.
Some of the treatments that may be covered are listed below:
General vet costs – including a range of treatments for accidents, injuries, and illnesses.
Hereditary and congenital conditions – generally, these are not classified as existing or ongoing conditions. However, you will need to make sure that the cover is ‘unrestricted’ rather than just under certain circumstances.
Long term and ongoing terms – Generally covered only if you have a lifelong policy. Check out the individual policy to know how much coverage you have in this area.
Dental care – covered on some pet insurance policies, but not all. Dental care required usually due to accident, illness, or injury is covered, but not for cosmetic work.
Alternative treatments – such as homeopathy, acupuncture.
physiotherapy – may be covered through your pet insurance if recommended by a veterinarian.
Breeding Risks or Costs – If you plan to use your pet for breeding, you need to make sure it is covered. Spaying or neutering your pet will generally reduce insurance premiums.
