Pet Insurance Advice

POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A PET INSURANCE

LIFE COVER
If you want a policy which will cover any new medical condition for the life of your pet, check the terms a conditions carefully on your policy. Some ‘life cover’ policies will indeed cover your pet for life but will only actually cover a medical condition for a set period, usually twelve months from the onset of the condition.

COST
There are many companies who offer a wide range of different types of pet cover. Some companies offer budget policies with very low monthly payments. These policies are good for short term conditions such as a cut pad needing stitching or an ear infection, however they are not suitable for more serious long term conditions such as diabetes and arthritis which can be very costly over a long period. Please keep this in mind when choosing the type of policy you would like for your pet.

EXCESS
Some companies will apply a fixed excess of around forty five pounds, so if your bill was three hundred pounds you would only pay forty five pounds. Other companies apply a percentage excess based on the amount you are claiming for, so the more you claim the more you pay.

EXCLUSIONS
Different companies apply different exclusions. Some may refuse cover for older animals or certain breeds if they feel they are too high a risk. Other companies may refuse cover for your pet for certain conditions such as arthritis or hip trouble which certain breeds of dog are especially prone to. Make sure you check the exclusions to make sure the cover provided meets your needs.

PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
Most insurance companies won’t cover your pet for any condition which it was suffering from before you took out the policy.

CHANGES IN TERMS FOR OLDER PETS
Check what happens to your policy when your pet gets older. Some companies may increase your premiums as your pet gets older or sometimes they increase the excess on the policy. Some companies may change from a flat rate excess to a percentage excess instead.

AGE LIMITS
Most companies won’t start pet insurance if your pet is above a certain age. This is normally eight or ten however it can be as low as five depending on the breed of dog. Once a policy has begun most companies will insure the pet for life, however some won’t and once your pet reaches a specified age cover may stop or be restricted.

COMPANY REPUTATION
You may be better off choosing a company that has a proven and good reputation that you can trust to deliver a reasonable level of service.
Remember that the company name on the policy is not necessarily the company that underwrites the risk or administers the sales and/or claims process.

Does the cost of the policy suit my budget?
• Is the level of veterinary fees appropriate for me?
• What are the exclusions and how will they affect me?
• What are the excesses and how are they applied?
• Does my pet have any pre-existing conditions that affect the cover?
• Do the terms of my policy stay the same at the renewal stage?
• What happens to the policy’s terms and conditions as my pet gets older?
• Will my insurance cover my pet for the whole of its life?
• Will my insurance company cover a condition for the life of my pet?
• Do I want to pay my premium on a monthly or annual basis?
• Should I have third party liability cover?
• What additional benefits are important to me?
• What do I know about the company’s reputation?