It’s one of the most controversial issues when it comes to pet ownership. Should I buy dog insurance? Generally, you have to accept that with dog ownership comes responsibility, and one of those is how to pay for the Vets who things go undoubtedly wrong.
In almost every case, there’s an argument to be made for safeguarding against any problems.
Primarily, dog insurance can help you out when unexpected circumstances occur. Your dog may have a pre-existing health problem that you didn’t know about, or could simply be unfortunate and have an accident.
You may think you’ll get lucky, but what if your dog finds some chocolate in the park? That’s an expensive antidote you need to get from the Vet after some serious poisoning.
There are a number of different policies that account for all eventualities, as well as dog age, breed and your own individual circumstances.
Before you commit to a dog insurance policy, you need to understand what it covers, and how much it will cost. Take time to research the best insurance company for you, and don’t go in without considering these factors.
Factor one: insurance excess
This one often catches people out, and not just for dogs. If your dog needs a small procedure at the vets, this may not always be covered by your insurance policy. For example, the cost of extracting one tooth can be up to €$£75. Excess is generally around €$£100.
If these issues come up often, you could be paying out more. Likewise, if your dog has an ongoing condition that requires multiple vet visits over multiple years, you’ll have to pay the excess for every new year.
Ask yourself: if something small comes up and you need to visit the vet, how much can you afford to pay each time you go? It may be worth paying a little more for a smaller excess.
Factor two: age of dog
This can make a huge difference to your premiums. For example, if your dog is more than eight years old, you could pay up to 10 times as much for a life insurance package.
Those with older dogs may therefore prefer to try a limited-time package, for example 12 months.
Likewise, with puppies remember that standard procedures, like vaccinations, castrations, or de flea treatments aren’t part of your insurance. So you can’t rely on that in order to get through some fairly expensive couple of years.
Factor three: pre-existing conditions
Your insurer will let you take out insurance if your dog has a condition or pre-existing injury, but you will have to be honest.
They may not pay out if the condition ‘flares up’ once again, or you could risk invalidating your insurance if you do not tell them about an injury. In all cases, honesty is the best policy.
Factor four: breed of dog
As above, certain dog breeds may push insurance premiums up simply because they are pre-disposed to certain conditions.
For example, Basset Hounds may cost more as they are likely to develop health issues such as Osteochondrosis Dissecans or glaucoma.
Other factors affected by the breed of your dog include size – larger dogs are more expensive – and pedigree/mixed dogs. Pedigree dogs are likely to be more valuable, so will be more expensive to insure. Mutts, on the other hand will be cheaper as they tend to have less health issues.
Factor five: number of claims and time limits
Your policy may restrict the number of claims based on what you’re claiming for. For example, if you’re claiming for the same pre-existing condition over a 12-month period, your insurer may decline to pay.
You should read the terms and conditions on claim limits before you sign up. Some insurers will cover long term conditions (ie. cancer, diabetes) over multiple years, others will only cover for the first year you claim. The first cost more, the second costs less, but you’re gambling on how long your dog may be sick.
There are also time limits – for example, you can only claim for medical bills 12 months after an accident. So if you do end up paying for an expensive vet bills, start filling out the paperwork as soon as possible.
Factor six: advertising and reward cover
One kind of cover you may not have considered is missing pet cover. Approximately 70,000 animals go missing per year, so this is a fair concern for owners.
In some policies, you can claim for costs for advertising your missing pets, and in some cases, even rewarding whoever finds them. It’s offered in approximately three quarters of policies, but always check as you may have to pay extra.
Factor seven: accidental death or illness
If you’re fairly sure that your dog is a healthy and happy one, who is not over eight years of age, you may want to consider an accident only policy.
This can be very cheap, averaging around £5 per month. This is usually best if your pet survives an accident, but there can be contributions towards funeral costs and vet bills, depending on the policy.
Cover for unexpected illnesses will need a more expensive policy. This can cover your dog in the event of death, but if your dog is over a certain age or has a recurrent/pre-existing illness, your insurer will limit pay-outs.
Factor eight: dental cover
Many pet owners don’t consider that dental bills might be one of the highest costs for dogs. Our four-legged friends are often getting into scrapes by chewing on the wrong things, so accidental damage is common for their teeth. Vet bills can be expensive, so it might be best to take out an additional dental cover plan.
This can be a bolt-on or a package by itself. Be mindful, however, that most dental plans don’t include cosmetic treatment like cleaning – rather, they focus on mending teeth after accidents. Be wary that dental symptoms caused by pre-existing illnesses may not be covered.
Factor nine: travelling abroad
Before you travel with your pet, you should always check your current policy. For example, travelling in the EU will mean your dog is covered by the government’s pet passport scheme. This means that if you do face medical costs while abroad, your insurer should pay them providing you are in a country that follows this rule.
Be mindful that pet passports can be expensive, as you will need to demonstrate that your dog has been microchipped and vaccinated. Some policies offer cover for pet passports, so always check before you travel – and ask your travel insurance provider, too.
Factor ten: switching policy
Remember, if you do choose to go with another provider during your current policy period, you will not be able to claim for the first 14 days. This means that, if your dog has an accident or becomes ill, you will be liable for the medical fees.
It may be tempting to switch insurers as they tend to put premiums up every year in line with the dog’s age. However, it’s always worth shopping around, or negotiating with your insurer directly to help you get the best deal.
Is there one type of insurance that’s best for me?
As you can see here, there are multiple factors that affect your pet insurance premiums, so you’ll need to do your homework before you commit. Generally speaking, lifetime cover for dogs will cover all bases, but you’ll have to ask if there’s anything specific you need, like travelling abroad.
Individual circumstances like working with gundogs, adopting an older dog or even breeding a pedigree can all have an impact on your policy. What’s important is to be mindful of any loopholes before you sign up.
The best insurance policies for dogs will give you peace of mind no matter what happens. Whether it’s simply paying for ‘missing dog’ posters or shelling out for an expensive operation, your provider should make you and your dog feel safe.
Remember to look at a range of sources when searching for dog insurance options, beyond comparison sites alone. You may even want to speak to your friends and family and find out what worked best for them.
Some options include:
- Life insurance
- Multi pet insurance
- Older dog insurance
- Accident only insurance
- Dental insurance
Most providers will offer a cooling off period. Use this wisely and make sure you understand the terms and conditions!
