Pet
Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Do
I Need Pet Insurance?
Animal owners need pet insurance because most bills for vet
treatment can be very costly and often this problem leads
to animals being 'put down'. Pet Insurance makes sure that
you will never have the financial burden or this problem.
In insuring your household pet you can have peace of mind
for any illness or injury your pet may get. Your insurance
also offers peace of mind for damage or injury your pet might
cause to others. It gives you peace of mind knowing that your
pet will be able to receive the best medical treatment available.
What
Is Pet Insurance Used For?
Usually over fifty per cent of visits to vets are unplanned
and are due to either an accident or illness.Almost one out
of every three pets requires veterinary treatment each year
following injury or illness. Costs are increased if X-rays
and long-term treatments are involved especially of there
are repeat visits to the vets. These costs can quickly run
into £1,000's for broken legs and hip treatments. Injuries
to your pet can lead to you cancelling your holiday plans,
courts costs if your dog causes a road accident, or if it
bites someone. Reward and advertising costs if your pet is
stolen or lost can be included in some insurance policies.
What
is Pet Insurance?
Pet Insurance is an insurance policy that covers household
pets. Pet Insurance offers to pay vet bills if your pet is
ill or has an accident. Pet insurance can also cover other
things like theft, travel and even death.
Other
Animals and Pet Insurance?
Most Pet Health Insurance companies generally only cover cats
and dogs. There are a few insurance companies that cover other
animals such as birds, particularly exotic animals and reptiles
and rodents. This type of specialist insurance is available
for horses and is known as equine insurance.
Third
Party Liability?
Dog owners are not usually aware that they are legally responsible
for their animals. If the dog is involved in an accident with
a vehicle they are responsible for any damages incurred to
that vehicle because of the accident. In obtaining pet insurance
dog owners can be covered as part of their insurance policy
for this type of accident. This insurance is called Third
Party Liability Insurance.
The
Small Print?
When you take out pet insurance your insurance company will
normally send you:
- Insurance
Policy Document that sets out the terms and conditions of
your policy
-
Policy Handbook that contains further details about your
insurance
Read
these documents and make sure you understand them. If there
are terms you are not sure of then check them out. Check what
is covered under the policy and check the policy details,
especially for any exclusions.
Choosing
The Right Insurance Policy?
These are the main points you need to look out for:
- Cover
for a fixed term of for life
- Accidental
Damage
- Dental
treatment
- Vets
Fees
- What
excess payments are involved
- Death
from Illness
- Death
from Accident, Advertising & Reward, Theft or Straying
- Third
Party Liability and Legal Expenses
- Boarding
Kennel Fees
- Holiday
Cancellation Costs
- Overseas
Travel
- Emergency
treatments, cancer therapy, X-rays and lab fees?
- Amount
of Cover, for example 70 per cent or 100 per cent of the
medical bills
- Some
insurance companies insist on your pet having an assessment
performed by a vet before insurance is considered.
- Policies
can limit the amount they will pay out either by capping
the total sum they will pay out in a year or placing a limit
per illness or accident.
- Sometimes
the pet owner has to make a payment towards any claim ensuring
the insurance covers more expensive costs only.
- Pet
insurance will normally not pay for preventative veterinary
care like vaccinations, or elective veterinary care such
as neutering, as these costs are known and can be budgeted
for.
- Pet
Insurance agencies will not normally cover an animal for
a pre-existing medical condition, pregnancy, dental problems,
or congenital defects.
What
Happens If My Pet Is Ill Before The Insurance Policy Starts?
Check the terms of your pet insurance policy but usually insurance
will not cover any medical condition or symptoms that your
pet had before the start date or your policy or often any
problems that occur during the first few days of your cover.
A pre-existing condition in your contract is termed as usually
any medical condition or symptoms that your pet had before
the inception date of your policy.
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