Pet Insurance

Each company offering pet insurance will offer a different level of cover. It is important to check the wording carefully for each policy and to compare like for like when deciding which company to go for. 

Whilst some policys cover accidents only other policys will offer more comprehensive cover for veterinary fees up to a maximum amount that suits you. Some policys will even cover the cost of euthanasia should you lose your pet suddenly to illness or injury. 

Some policies may also go further and cover emergency boarding for your pet,  If you have a dog, your insurer may also cover third party liability should they cause an accident. 

It is important to be aware that Pet insurance companies will not provide cover for conditions that have already been diagnosed when the pet insurance was started, you will be provided with a list of exclusions and it is your responsibility to be aware of these to ensure you are prepared. 

Also it is important to note that your pet insurance is different to a pet health plan. Pet insurance does NOT cover routine healthcare for examples vaccinations, flea and worm treatments. If you would like to cover your routine healthcare via a simple direct debit, our Health Plans are specifically designed for this.

As with deciding the different types of cover available there is lots of choice on levels of pay outs. Some policies offer very little for vet bills and can be used up in one visit which is not ideal if your pet is diagnosed with a life changing illness or injury, yet others may offer tens of thousands. When choosing the right policy for you and your pet you will be able to see how much your policy will cover you for. 

When making this choice it is very important to check the wording carefully again. Although some policies may offer a large pot of money, they may only pay out a specified, smaller amount per condition, or will stop paying for a condition when the amount is reached. Some policies may also offer a large amount but only up to renewal date at which time payments stop regardless of how much money you had left. 

Many people choose policies that offer lifetime cover. This means you can use the set amount of money every year and offers peace of mind should your pet be diangosed with ongoing conditions such as diabetes or arthritis. In contrast ‘annual cover’ policies have to be renewed every year but annual policies will NOT continue to pay for a condition after 12 months.

 If your pet has become ill or injured and you wish to claim on your existing policy. There are a few things you need to do. Firstly let your insurance provider know as soon as possible, they will also confirm if there are any exclusions and give you peace of mind that your pet wil be covered. Similarly, some policies require you to notify them within a certain time frame of the condition starting. So better to do sooner rather than later.

Usually your insurance provider will send you, or direct you to download, a claims form. There is a section to be filled out by you, and a section for your us to fill out. This can be done at the end of treatment, for short term problems, or regularly throughout treatment for chronic, ongoing problems. Once you have completed your part of the form and we have seen your policy documents we can handle the rest of the claim on your behalf. For more advice please call us.