Your guide to buying pet insurance

Pet insurance can provide a safety net for your furry friends, ensuring they receive the best care when they need it without straining your finances. This guide will help navigate the world of pet insurance, making sure you choose the best coverage for your beloved companion.

1. Why Do I Need Pet Insurance?

Pets, like humans, can fall ill or get injured. Veterinary care, though essential, can be costly. Pet insurance helps cover these unexpected bills, ensuring your pet gets the treatment they need.

2. Types of Pet Insurance:

There are various levels of coverage:

• Accident Only: Covers treatment if your pet is injured in an accident.
• Time Limited: Covers specific illnesses or conditions for a set period, usually 12 months.
• Maximum Benefit: Covers illnesses or injuries up to a maximum monetary limit, with no time restriction.
• Lifetime: Offers comprehensive cover with a yearly limit, which resets every year when the policy is renewed.

3. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Policy:

• Type of Pet: Dogs typically have higher premiums than cats. Certain breeds might also be more expensive to insure due to hereditary conditions.
• Age: Older pets are more likely to require medical care, leading to higher premiums.
• Location: Veterinary costs can vary across the UK. It might be more expensive in urban areas like London compared to rural regions.
• Excess: This is the amount you pay towards a claim. A higher excess usually means a lower premium, but ensure it’s affordable.

4. What’s Generally Covered:

• Vet Fees: For illness, injuries, diagnostic tests, surgery, and hospitalisation.
• Third Party Liability: For dogs only, it covers legal costs if your pet injures someone or damages property (not applicable for cats in the UK).
• Loss or Theft: Some policies offer a payout if your pet is lost or stolen.
• Death by Illness or Injury: Provides a payout, usually based on the purchase price of your pet.
• Boarding Fees: If you’re hospitalised and can’t care for your pet.

5. Common Exclusions:

• Pre-existing Conditions: Conditions that existed before the policy started are often not covered.
• Routine Check-ups: Regular visits, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and dental care unless caused by injury or illness.
• Age Limits: Some policies won’t cover pets past a certain age unless they’ve been insured with them from a younger age.
• Waiting Period: There’s typically a waiting period (e.g., 14 days) from the start of the policy before you can make a claim.

6. Declaring Pre-existing Conditions:

Always declare any pre-existing conditions. Even if they’re not covered, non-disclosure can invalidate your policy.

7. Regular Reviews:

Pet needs and circumstances change. Regularly review your policy to ensure it still offers the best coverage. Remember, switching providers might mean pre-existing conditions won’t be covered under a new policy.

8. Making a Claim:

Keep detailed veterinary records and any related receipts. Notify your insurer as soon as you’re aware of any potential claims.

9. Think Holistically:

While insurance can cover unexpected costs, regular check-ups, a balanced diet, and preventive measures can keep your pet healthy, potentially reducing the need for claims.

Pet insurance provides peace of mind, knowing you can offer the best care to your pet without financial stress. Take your time researching, understand what you’re buying, and make sure the policy aligns with your pet’s needs and your financial circumstances.

FAQs For Buying Pet Insurance