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Why is pet insurance important?

Owning a pet can be rewarding, but it can also be costly. The medical expense of treating illness or injuries can put you in a difficult financial position if you are uninsured. As the pet owner, you are also liable for any property damage or injuries caused by your pet to third parties. Pet insurance in the UK is an important investment as it offers financial support for multiple risks associated with owning a pet.

What is the best pet insurance option?

The best pet insurance in the UK should offer sufficient cover for your needs, and these will vary depending on you and your pet. The age, species, and pre-existing medical conditions of your pet will determine which type of pet insurance would be best for you. There are various types and levels of cover to choose from.

Lifetime pet insurance

Lifetime pet insurance offers some of the most comprehensive coverage for your pets. It protects them against illnesses and injuries they suffer throughout their life. This covers ongoing or chronic illnesses year on year, as long as the policy is renewed. It typically comes with coverage limits that reset annually.

Accident only pet insurance

If you are on a budget, accident-only is often the cheapest pet insurance option. This level of insurance usually has a limit for each claim and will only cover injuries or accidents. This means things like broken bones, poisoning or cuts are covered.

Annual pet insurance

Annual, or time limited pet insurance policies typically cover pets for illness or injury within a period of one year. After this time the policy can be renewed. At this point existing medical conditions may be excluded, so these are not the best option for chronic conditions or ongoing treatment.

Maximum benefit pet insurance

This type of pet insurance provides coverage for individual accidents or injuries to your pet. Each condition is subject to a pre-set claim limit, rather than time limited cover. So, with maximum benefit insurance, you can continue to claim for a condition until the limit is exhausted.

Instant cover pet insurance

While some pet insurance policies come with waiting periods – typically between 10 and 14 days – some insurers will offer immediate pet cover. In this case, instant cover pet insurance provides immediate cover for accidents or injuries. This is particularly useful if your pet needs emergency care.

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When you shop around for quotes, it’s important to compare policies tailored to your pet’s needs. For instance, pet insurance for a bulldog or labradoodle will be different to cat insurance.

Pet insurance for dogs

Depending on the level of pet insurance for dogs you’ve chosen, your dog could be covered for veterinary fees for illness or injury. There may be additional cover like death benefits, dental care, and payment for ads if your dog goes missing. Third party liabilities are typically covered by most policies for dogs.

Pet insurance for cats

Pet insurance for cats offers similar coverage. Many pet insurers have no upper age limits for cats, and some may also include cover for pre-existing conditions. It’s important to compare multiple options to find the best deal for your cat insurance.

Pet insurance for rabbits

Increasingly, rabbits have become more popular as pets in the UK. Pet insurance for rabbits is available as both accident-only or lifetime insurance. It caters to the unique health needs of rabbits covering conditions like GI stasis and respiratory disease. Rabbits can also be added to multi-pet insurance policies.

Pet insurance for multiple pets

It’s possible to get pet insurance for multiple pets. These policies typically cater for pets like dogs, cats, and rabbits and offer discounts for insuring multiple pets at once. Some insurers allow you to have different levels of coverage for each pet and may include coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Pet insurance for older dogs

From around the age of 7, dogs are considered to be older dogs. At this age, dogs can be more prone to developing age-related illnesses or diseases like arthritis or cancer. With these, vet bills can become expensive. This is where pet insurance for older dogs steps in. It provides focused protection for these expensive treatments.

Pet insurance for existing medical conditions

Many pets are diagnosed or have been treated for conditions before a policy is taken out. This is considered a pre-existing condition. In this case, insurers offer specialised pet insurance for existing medical conditions that cover these needs. This cover will usually be more expensive but can save you money on medical bills in the long run.

What does pet insurance cover?

The coverage provided by pet insurance will depend on the type and level of insurance selected. Always check the coverage details and any exclusions before you commit to a pet insurance policy. However, these are common risks that can be covered by pet insurance.

Veterinary fees for accident or illness

Prescription medications

Third party liability cover

Death or euthanasia

Theft or straying

Advertising and reward

Emergency boarding fees

Overseas travel

What is not covered by pet insurance?

Exclusions for pet insurance will depend on the terms and conditions of your policy. However, pet insurance typically does not cover:

  • Routine treatments like vaccinations, flea and worming treatments
  • Preventative care like neutering, spaying and dental checks
  • Pregnancy or breeding costs
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Behaviour problems and training costs
  • Some common hereditary conditions in specific breeds
  • Claims made as a result of ignoring vet advice or using alternative treatments

How much is pet insurance in the UK?

The cost of pet insurance will vary based on the pet, its breed, and its age. The level of cover will also affect the cost. We recommend comparing various pet insurance quotes. This could increase your odds of finding cheaper insurance.

Advice from our experts

“With research suggesting a dog can cost its owner as much as £30,000 during the course of its lifetime, it should come as no surprise that a pet’s veterinary bills have the potential to be quite sizable if the animal suffers an accident or is diagnosed with an illness. Pets don’t have the NHS to fall back on, of course, so a good pet insurance policy really is the best way to protect your furry friend… and safeguard your finances.” 

Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk.

How can I get cheap pet insurance quotes?

It’s important to do research using an insurance comparison platform like ours to explore your options. Carefully compare pet insurance policies and their prices. You could also have a better chance of finding cheap pet insurance by following these tips.

Maintain your pet’s health

You can do this by staying up-to-date with your pet’s routine check-ups and vaccinations.

Opt for multi-pet coverage

If you have more than one pet, then it’s usually cheaper to insure all your pets under one multi-pet policy. You can usually insure mixed pets like dogs and cats with the same policy, with coverage tailored to suit the needs of every different type of pet.

Adjust your excess

When you make a claim, you’ll typically have to pay an excess amount. By opting for a higher excess, you could lower your premiums. Just be sure it is an amount you are comfortable paying when it comes to making a claim.

Pay annually

Paying for pet insurance annually usually works out cheaper than paying monthly. When you use Quotezone, you can see exactly how much you will save by choosing this option before you commit.

Spay or neuter your pet

Spaying or neutering your pet has many benefits including making your pet less risky to insure. It can reduce health risks and behavioural problems. Keep in mind though that the procedure itself is not typically covered by pet insurance.

Shop around

Always shop around for multiple quotes from different insurance providers as they’re not all the same. Taking the time to compare quotes gives you a better chance at finding affordable cover for your pet.

Your insurer will need to know which level of coverage you want as well as the details about your pet or pets. This includes the species, age, breed, sex, vaccination history, medical background, previous claims history and current health status. As the policyholder, you will have to supply your personal details and location.

The process is fairly straightforward. Following a claimable incident you can use the insurer’s claim form. Simply complete and submit this with all the necessary documentation and receipts. It will then be processed by your insurer who will determine the outcome. When your claim is approved you will be reimbursed per the terms and conditions of your policy.

Pet insurance FAQs

How much is pet insurance per month?

This will vary depending on the level of cover you’ve selected, as well as the pets on your policy. Pets with pre-existing medical conditions could be charged more. It’s best to get personalised quotes to find out how much pet insurance will cost you.

What is a good annual limit for pet insurance in the UK?

A good annual limit for your pet will depend on your pet’s specific needs. Lifetime policies typically offer over £10,000 per year, whereas more basic policies can start as low as £2,000. These limits will likely affect your insurance costs, so getting a customised quote can help determine what pet insurance you should get.

When is it worth claiming on pet insurance?

This will depend on your financial situation and your policy. The cost of your vet bill, your insurance premium, and the excess amount will all play a part. It’s also important to keep in mind that claims can affect the price of future pet insurance premiums.

Which pet insurance provider is best?

There is no one best pet insurance provider. It will vary depending on you and your pet’s needs. Certain insurers will have policies dedicated to particular types of pets and their specific needs. By comparing different policies you’ll soon see which provider would best suit your requirements.

What is lifetime pet insurance?

Lifetime pet insurance is typically the most comprehensive type of pet insurance. Due to the range of coverage provided, it is also usually the most expensive. It covers your pet for a wide range of illnesses or injuries for their entire life, as long as you pay your premiums.

Does pet insurance cost more for pedigree animals?

Yes. Pedigree animals are generally more prone to certain hereditary health conditions. For example, a French bulldog can be susceptible to breathing problems due to its flat face. This increases the risk to the insurer and therefore, makes insurance costs higher.

Which pets are not covered by UK pet insurance?

Exotic pets like reptiles, birds, and small mammals are not usually covered by UK pet insurance. Some cat and dog breeds may be excluded as well as animals used for commercial or service purposes.

Does pet insurance cover dental?

It depends on what kind of dental care is necessary. Most insurers will provide accident or injury dental care. Coverage for dental illnesses like gum disease is far less common and may only be included in comprehensive policies. Many pet insurance providers offer dental cover as an optional add-on. However, this will increase the costs of pet insurance and may be harder to qualify for if there are pre-existing conditions.

Is it worth insuring an old dog?

If you have a lifetime policy for your old dog it may be advantageous to maintain the policy as it will continue to cover chronic conditions and other age-related injuries at your usual premium. If you are taking out a new pet insurance policy for an older dog, you may need specialist policies due to the high cost of premiums and possible exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

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