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A guide to pet insurance

Pets bring us love, joy and so many fond memories that it’s understandable many owners think of them as part of the family. Most of us would do anything to protect our pets and keep them healthy – yet bizarrely, many pet owners overlook pet insurance which could hold the key to getting our dogs or cats important treatments during their time of need.

What is pet insurance?

The main purpose of pet insurance is to help cover the cost of veterinary treatments should a pet fall ill or be injured in an accident. The bulk of pet insurance policies are designed for dogs and cats but there are also specialist pet insurance companies that will insure other animals including rabbits, horses and exotic pets.

In February 2010, a survey by a comparison website found that 20 per cent of cat and dog owners can’t afford big vet bills – which could leave them with difficult decisions about the future of their pet. Veterinary medicines have vastly improved in recent years and there is specialist equipment available that makes it possible to detect and diagnose problems that may have previously gone undetected. This is where pet insurance comes in – it not only provides peace of mind against vet fees but also gives you the chance to explore the treatment options available.

So does pet insurance just cover vet bills?

There’s a lot more to pet insurance than just help with veterinary bills although that is the primary reason why owners take out a policy. Remember that not all policies are the same and you should check to see what treatments are covered – for example, with some pet insurance policies you may be able to get cover for special diets, cosmetic treatments and complementary therapies.

However, in addition you may enjoy some added benefits with pet insurance such as:

• Death benefits: Recommended for those with pedigree dogs and other expensive pets, this provides a payout if a pet dies of an illness or accident subject to conditions. Some insurance companies will also help to cover cremation costs.
• Holiday cover: Imagine the dilemma if you are away from home and your pet falls ill or suffers an accident. With holiday cover, pet insurance helps cover the cost of travel and accommodation so you can get back home to your pet.
• Kennel and cattery fees: If you fell ill suddenly and required in-patient hospital treatment would anyone look after your pet? If not, look for cover for kennel/cattery fees in emergency situations.
• Missing pet cover: If a pet is lost or stolen, missing pet cover will help cover the costs of advertising and there may also be help with a reward.
• Pet travel scheme: Many pet owners enjoy taking their dogs, cats and ferrets abroad with them thanks to the Government’s Pet Travel Scheme. With some pet insurance policies you may be able to get cover for veterinary costs while you and your pet are abroad.
• Third party liability: If your dog injured someone or damaged their property you could be held liable as you are responsible for their actions – third party cover protects you against these costs. However, third party cover is not necessary for cats as they are “free spirits” and therefore you are not liable for their actions.

Are there any other differences between policies?

Just like with car or home insurance there can be significant differences between pet insurance policies depending on the company you choose. Levels of cover can vary, as can premiums. You should also pay close attention to when the cover ends and the limits that apply – usually there are three types of policy available:

• Cover for a set period: When the policy ends, treatments will no longer be covered.
• Cover limit per condition: A policy that pays out up to a set limit per condition meaning you may not get complete cover for ongoing treatments.
• Lifetime policies: This provides a cover limit per condition, per year and renews in line with renewing your policy. So as long as you keep renewing your policy your pet has cover for ongoing treatments, subject to conditions.
  In addition, pay attention to the excess levels that apply on the policy – the excess is your contribution towards a claim. You may have to pay an additional excess if you own an older pet (typically above the age of eight). In addition, if a pet has any pre-existing conditions these are unlikely to be covered under a policy.

How to find the right pet insurance policy

Shopping around is the key to finding a good deal on pet insurance and it needn’t be expensive – according to a comparison website in February 2010, cover started at just £39.60 a year for cats and £44.40 a year for dogs.

Comparison websites allow you to compare deals from a range of insurance companies so you can get an overview of what’s on the market. However, remember to not only consider the cost of the insurance but also the cover levels available to ensure you’re receiving value for money.