Choosing the right insurance for your pet can be a tricky business. With the cost of vet bills rising year by year, owners are taking a huge risk if they do not choose to insure their pet - but with so many options out there, making the right choice for your loved one can be a daunting task for some. -
As your pet grows older, the cost of insuring them and subsequently paying for their treatment rises. You will find that some companies will refuse to insure your pet as they reach old age, and some will limit the form of treatment that they are allowed to receive. -
To help you choose the right insurance policy that is right for you and your pet, we have put together a few guidelines that you can follow... -
Make sure your pet can be covered for its entire lifetime. Some insurance houses will not insure pets as they grow older, so it is imperative that you use a company that will provide you with a policy that can be renewed for each year of your pet’s life. -
Be careful to check how much the policy will pay. Depending on your pet’s treatment, veterinary bills can be quite costly and it is important to that you understand exactly how much they will pay out in times of trouble. Most policies are clear about this, but it always pays to understand exactly how much will be paid out! -
Are there any limits to the number of times a policy pays out? Some pet insurers will only cover you for a set amount of veterinary treatments a year, and you may find yourself out of pocket if your sickly pet takes one trip too many to the vets... -
Check to make sure your pet insurance can pay the vet directly. Once you have completed a claim form, many insurance companies can offer to take the hassle out of paying vet’s bills by paying them directly. It is best to avoid the ones who do not, as this can be added stress for many owners at a time when all they really want to do is look after their pet.
- Are you covered if your pet has an ongoing condition? It is important to find a policy that covers your pet if they are diagnosed with an ongoing condition or illness. If your pet is diagnosed with continued ill health problems, it may break the terms of your policy and you could find that you will no longer be covered. -
Take care to read the small print. A lot of policies are filled with ‘get-out’ clauses should your pet suffer ill health, and it is imperative that you read your pets policy thoroughly before you sign anything. That way, there will be no nasty surprises when you’re least expecting them, and you can be sure of exactly what your pet is covered for or not. -
Beware of cheap premiums. It is always tempting just to go for the least expensive option when choosing any form of insurance, and pet insurance is no exception. However, some companies will only offer this as a substitution for low levels of cover or extortionately high rates of excess. It is far better to look for a standard rate of excess across all policies and to be in full control of the rate of cover you have, being able to choose the one to suit your pet’s needs. -
Communication is key. Bad customer service can make or break an insurance company, so before you take out a policy with them, try and do a little detective work first to see how reliable they are when dealing with claims. Do you know of any friends who have a similar policy with them? What are their experiences of the company? Would they recommend them? -
By using these guidelines, you should be able to find the right insurance company for you, ensuring you and your pet have many happy (and worry-free!) years together in the future. -
Since 1997, Healthy Pets Insurance has remained independent and specialist choosing to trade on the trust of its policyholders to gain one of the highest renewal rates in the industry. Healthy Pets policies are very competitive and 100% underwritten through Underwriters at AMTrust International. -
Healthy Pets Ltd is located in Ridgeway Office Park, Petersfield, Hampshire. The company can be contacted on
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, 01730 268592 or online at www.healthy-pets.co.uk.
