A Brief Guide to Dog Insurance

Ownership of a dog brings with it many joys and special moments. It can however also bring the unforeseen costs and the resultant anxiety that comes with having to deal with veterinary emergencies. It is because of this that dog insurance is so highly appreciated by many dog owners.

There are many dog insurance products on the market ranging from very basic emergency cover to comprehensive insurance policies. The following types of cover are often included in dog insurance policies:

• Medical Emergency Cover: This will cover you against vet bills arising from illness or injury. Basic policies will only cover a certain percentage of the actual treatment cost while more comprehensive policies will cover the full treatment amount, related testing costs (e.g. x-rays) and medicine. It is important to note that pre existing conditions, pregnancy and congenital conditions will normally be excluded from policies. Your dog may also have to undergo a medical examination before cover can commence.
• ‘Life Cover’: More and more companies are offering insurance products that can only be described as ‘life cover for dogs’. Under the terms of such polices an amount will be paid out when a dog dies. Some policies even offer access to bereavement counselling at the loss of your dog.
• Liability Cover: It should always be remembered that the owner of a pet can be held liable for its actions. Many dog owners find it prudent therefore to take out liability insurance to cover against injuries or damage caused by their dogs.
• ‘Theft/Loss Cover: The costs associated with the loss or theft of a beloved family dog can be immense. A great deal of peace of mind can therefore be gained by taking out a policy that will make the best possible search for your pet possible. This kind of cover will provide resources to fund the search for a missing dog (e.g. through placing ads in local newspaper, or through providing the money for a reward to be posted). In some cover can also be arranged for the ‘cash value’ of very valuable dogs (e.g. pedigreed dogs, breeding males or members of very rare breeds).

The sheer variety of what is available can make choosing the right dog insurance policy rather difficult. It would be prudent to shop around and do a bit of research before making your final decision about which policy, and level of cover, to go with. Some of the things that you may want to consider are:

• Track Record: There are unfortunately many ‘fly by night’ operators in the dog insurance industry. Going with an established player with a positive reputation can help protect you against unpaid bills.
• Recommendations: Recommendations from friends or animal welfare charities can be a significant factor in helping you to decide on the right provider.
• Clarity and simplicity in communication: Do your best to find a company that clearly spells out cover levels and premiums in plain English.

After all that were said it is important to remember that having a good dog insurance policy in place is not an optional extra since it can mean the difference between giving your dog the best and having to make some heart wrenching decisions because you are struggling to afford the cost of treatment.

Summary:

• Dog Insurance will cover you against some of the most common contingencies related to owning a dog.
• Medical cover forms a key component of many dog insurance policies
• ‘Life cover’, theft/loss cover and liability cover can also be arranged
• Dog owners would do well to shop around for the best possible policy, from the best possible provider at the best possible rate

Protect your four legged friend with dog insurance

A pet dog can sometimes need a trip to the vets and run up to considerable bills. Some major accidents can end up with surgery, and thousands of pounds to pay if someone does not have the right dog insurance policy in place. Cover is not terribly dissimilar from human health insurance, and does not need to be massively expensive.

Policies are available from a wide number of providers and therefore there is competition between quotes. Typical things to look for might be the limits on policies and what exactly is included.

Most dog insurance policies can reasonably be expected to cover things like any treatment needed after having an accident or illnesses. Some common handy extras include cash towards advertising in the local press if an animal goes missing or is stolen.

Most policies will not only payout to cover large vet fees, up to set limits, but will also provide someone with a cash lump sum in the event of the dog’s death. Dogs cannot time when they get ill, and this means sometimes they need treatment just before someone goes on holiday. If someone needs to cancel their break, many policies will provide a cash lump sum by way of compensation.

Many pet care centres are now open and run along the same lines as a GP’s surgery. Dogs can expect a high standard of care and can also usually be seen to promptly. Of course, all this costs cash, and it is important to make sure that a policy goes high enough. If it does not cover the costs of a major stomach operation, for example, it may be worth getting a quote for something a little more expensive.

As with humans, companies do not usually pay out for existing conditions. This means you can expect not to be able to claim if a dog has to go to the vets for a condition which was diagnosed before the policy was taken out. As with people, younger dogs usually attract lower premiums than older ones.

When comparing dog insurance policies it is also worth looking out for any regular kind of treatment that may or may not be included. Things like worming and flea treatments can add up over time, and what is known as a routine care plan can be included in a policy to help pay for these. It’s also worth taking a close look at exactly the kind of problems a policy covers. This normally should include emergency treatment after a road accident, bites, treatment if they have swallowed something inappropriate, ear infections, gastroenteritis, and cuts, plus growths and abscesses.

A dog insurance policy normally involves someone paying for the treatment themselves and then filling out an application form in order to claim the money back. Therefore someone also needs look at their own finances to make sure they have the least some means to pay for an expensive procedure in the short-term until they can claim that the money from an insurer.