Guide to pet insurance

3 min Read Published: 21 May 2013
dog lying down
A sick pet can be expensive

Anybody who has a pet will know that a visit to the vets can be expensive. Covering this cost by buying pet insurance is an obvious option, but you need to be aware that there are different types of pet insurance with a variety of exclusions. So to help you, here is my guide of what to look for when buying pet insurance.

What types of pet insurance are there?

There are basically two types of pet insurance

  • Annual coverpolicy lasts 12 months and is renewable every year until your pet reaches a certain age. Some insurance companies  offer you a 'senior' policy with reduced cover and more conditions after this age.
  • Lifetime cover - the policy covers your pet for the whole of its life and needs to be taken out when the pet is young. The policy is renewable every year and cover will be provided as long as required up to the limits set out in the policy. Due to the length and range of cover provided this type of cover is usually more expensive.

What cover is provided by pet insurance?

Pet insurance provides a range of options  and you can choose the cover that best suits your needs and budget. Basically, the more conditions and restrictions you have on a policy the cheaper it will be.

Vet's fees

  • Reinstatement cover - the most flexible and expensive  type of cover with a cap on the amount of  cover for vet fees each year.
  • Condition limit cover - no annual limit on total vet fees but instead a limit on the amount that can be claimed one each condition that your pet suffers.
  • Monetary/time  limit - puts a monetary and time limit, usually 12 months, on how much you can claim from the onset of a condition. Cover will cease when one of the limits is reached.

Boarding fees

  • covers fees payable if your pet has to go into hospital as a result of illness or accident. There will be limits placed on the length of time per hospital stay as well as the frequency of claims.

Death benefit

  • usually pays out the original purchase price of your pet if it dies through illness or accident.

Lost pet fees

  • covers the cost of advertising for the return of  a pet and includes the provision of a modest reward. Normally it is a requirement that the pet has a microchip fitted to help in recovering the lost pet.

Third party liability/accidental damage

  • this cover will pay any successful claim against you for the damage caused by the actions of a pet such as causing an accident by running in the road or damaging property.

Holiday cover

  • will provide cover if you have to cancel a holiday due to your pet's illness or injury.

What exclusions are there regarding cover under pet insurance?

If ever there was one policy where you definitely need to read the small print then pet insurance  is that policy. The exclusions and conditions are many and varied but the main exclusions are:

  • pre-existing conditions
  • hereditary conditions and conditions that may be specific to the breed of animal
  • normal vaccinations and injections
  • spaying and castration
  • treatment for fleas and ticks
  • conditions arising through pregnancy and birth
  • dental cover (may be provided under separate policy)
  • insurers will not cover pets at either end of the age range due to the increased likelihood of illness
  • all policies will have an excess applied to deter small claims, there will also be an option to add a voluntary excess to keep the premiums within your budget

Are there any others things I need to be aware of when buying pet insurance?

  • always read the small print carefully so that you are fully aware of all the exclusions and limits on each policy then you can compare like with like
  • check the payment options, as paying for the policy annually rather than monthly will likely save you money
  • if you have more than one pet check out the insurers who offer a multiple pet discount
  • ask the insurer about how they will increase premiums over time, will it be age related, claim related, or both
  • closely read the details regarding any excess applied, will this be per claim or per condition
  • check what happens when a condition needs treatment over the renewal date of the policy as this treatment may be excluded in year two or a new excess applied
  • make sure you shop around to get the best deal

Summary

Pet insurance is a useful policy for pet owners, but it isn't cheap. However, you really need to do your homework to ensure you get the best deal, there are numerous options and exclusions that differ from insurer to insurer, and make sure you only pay for cover that you need.

You can get comparisons on pet insurance at www.gocompare.com or www.moneysupermarket.com

(Image: freedigitalphotos.net)