Pet insurance: is it worth it?

As a nation Britain is known to treat its pets as part of the family, with many households that have cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, and other pets that become much loved members of the household unit. As such it is only natural that Brits want to provide their pets with the necessary protection to ensure that they stay fit and healthy for as long as possible, and this is where pet insurance can prove invaluable. Pet insurance is available on a number of levels and is available for all pets. This type of cover offers valuable peace of mind, as you know that if your pet requires treatment or medication you won’t have to find huge wads of cash in order to get them the treatment they need.

Treatment and medication for pets can be extremely expensive, and can run into thousands of pounds in some cases. However, like children pets can get themselves into all sorts of scrapes, and therefore it is important to have insurance cover in place so that you are not faced with the heartbreaking decision of whether you can afford to get your pet the treatment or medicine that it needs in the event of an injury or illness. If you are looking to get pet insurance cover for your pet here are a few commonly asked questions that could help you.

Where can I get pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance cover is available from a wide range of insurance providers, many of which are household names and others that are specialist pet insurance providers. Many of these companies operate online making it easier and more convenient to arrange your pet insurance cover. You can also get pet insurance cover directly from some veterinary surgeries that offer their own pet health plans. You will find that these are usually more comprehensive than standard pet insurance cover, but also more expensive.

What does pet insurance cover?

The things that are covered by pet insurance will depend on the type of pet and the level of cover that you take out. With most standard pet insurance policies the cost of major surgery or treatment is covered subject to an excess that comes from your pocket. With the specialist health plans offered by some veterinary surgeries annual boosters, consultations, and check ups are included, and you may also get discounts on medicines, food, and other items.

How much will pet insurance cover cost?

The cost of premiums will depend on a number of factors. The insurance company that you go through will partly determine the cost, as the cost of cover can vary from one provider to another. This means that you need to take the time to compare different policies with different insurance companies to find one that offers affordable premiums without compromising on quality. Other factors that can affect cover include the type of pet you have, the age and health of your pet, past claims and medical conditions, and the amount of excess that you set on the policy.

What is excess?

Excess is the amount of money that you pay from your own pocket in the event that treatment is needed. You can set the excess when you take out the policy, and the higher the excess the lower the premiums will be. So, if you set an excess of £250 the first £250 of any claim will come from your own pocket and if the treatment costs £250 or under you won’t make a claim as you will have to fund the full amount yourself. You will not usually have an ex cess with health plans from many veterinary surgeries but the premiums are usually considerably higher because the cover is so comprehensive – this can vary from one surgery to another however.

How do I arrange the cover?

You can arrange your pet insurance with ease, convenience, and speed these days simply by using the Internet. All you need to do is enter the details of your pet or pets online using the website of your chosen insurance company, and the insurance is arranged right away. However, there is usually a period of around fourteen days before the cover becomes effective. Often, if you are insuring more than one pet with an online insurer you can get a discount on cover because you are insuring multiple pets.

What sorts of pets are covered by insurance?

You can insure any household pet, and in fact it is advisable to arrange cover for your pet no matter what animal you have as most are prone to illness or injury that can prove to be very costly. Amongst the pets that can benefit from insurance cover are dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, hamsters, birds, rabbits, and rodents.