Compare pet insurance

Many pet owners forget than animals need health care, just as people do, but for them there is no NHS. Unless you have a healthy enough bank account to pay up front for vet costs that can be in the thousands, pet insurance is a great way to ensure that your beloved animal gets the care it needs, as soon as it is needed.

How much does pet insurance cost?

The cost of pet insurance varies with the type of animal, and the cover desired. On average, you can expect to pay around £50-60 per year for a cat, and £110-120 for a dog. This doesn’t sound so bad when one considers that the average insurance claim is more than £750.

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance covers the cost if your pet falls ill or is injured. It can include dental care, death compensation, boarding fees if you are unable to care for your pet for a time, advertising fees if your pet goes missing, and third party liability if your dog injures someone or causes an accident.

What doesn’t pet insurance cover?

If your pet had a condition before you purchase the policy, that condition likely isn’t covered. Routine medical treatment is not covered (including spaying/neutering), but there are some programs with certain vets to make these costs more affordable. Coverage doesn’t extend to cosmetic treatments, and doesn’t normally include compensation for any international costs.

What is the best pet insurance?

This depends on the health, age, and temperament of your pet – and of course on the type of animal. You can choose from:

• Accident only – this covers your pet in the event of an accident, but not for illness.
• Time limited – covers illness and accident, but only for a limited time.
• Maximum benefit – as the name implies, this covers illnesses and accidents. There will be a cap on the amount paid out per condition, but there is no time limit.
• Lifetime pet insurance – this covers accidents and illnesses for the lifetime of your pet, but has some limits, depending on your provider. Read the small print.

What do I need to compare pet insurance?

Know your pet’s breed, gender, whether or not it has been spayed or neutered, the age of your pet, and how much you paid for it.

Pet Insurance FAQ

Is pet insurance worth having?

Unless you have more than £1000 set aside that you can use for treatment in the case of an emergency, then yes. Even if you have money set aside, third party liability insurance is a good idea if you own a dog, horse, or other potentially dangerous animal.

What things should I consider for pet insurance?

The amount of coverage you want, the type of coverage considering your particular pet, and the time period you wish to have the insurance.

When should I insure my pet?

Insure your animal as soon as you bring it home. In some cases, insurance will not take effect until the animal has reached a minimum age.

What does pet insurance normally cover?

Typically, it can cover accident and illness, dental care, lost-animal advertising, boarding fees if you become ill and can’t care for the animal for a time, and third party liability cover.

What does pet insurance not cover?

Regular health care is usually not covered, nor are cosmetic treatments and routine procedures such as neutering or spaying. It often will not cover conditions that could have been prevented by vaccination or reasonable care, or any fees incurred while abroad with your pet.

Insurance is available for small mammals and other small animals, exotic pets such as snakes and reptiles, and even for horses and other large mammals.