How Does Pet Insurance Work?

Whether you’re the owner of a cat, dog, hamster or parrot, it pays to keep your pets insured against whatever life throws at them. That’s why having the right pet insurance coverage and understanding how it all works is so important. We’ve compiled a guide for you to get a better understanding of how a pet insurance policy works and the things you should consider when taking out a policy…

What is pet insurance?

Firstly, we should probably run through what exactly pet insurance is. Essentially pet insurance is a type of insurance that covers veterinary expenses for your pets due to injury or illness. Just like health insurance for humans, pet insurance helps to mitigate the financial burden of unexpected health issues. Pet insurance typically covers accidents and illnesses, but some plans may also cover routine care such as vaccinations and annual check-ups. It is important to note that this differs from accident-only pet insurance. Accident-only pet insurance typically does not cover illnesses or routine check-ups, so it’s important to carefully consider your pet’s specific needs when deciding if this type of insurance is right for you.

Here are some key things to remember about pet insurance:

• Pet insurance is a type of coverage against the costs of illness or injury to your pet.
• It can help cover the cost of veterinary bills in the event of an unexpected illness or injury.
• There are different types of pet insurance policies available, including accident-only, illness-only, and comprehensive coverage.
• Some policies may have limits on coverage or exclude certain conditions, so it’s important to read the policy carefully and understand what is and isn’t covered.
• Pet insurance premiums are usually based on factors such as the age, breed, and health history of your pet, as well as the level of coverage you choose.
• While pet insurance can provide valuable financial protection, it’s important to carefully consider the costs and benefits to determine if it’s the right choice for you and your pet.

What does pet insurance cover?

What a pet insurance policy will actually cover you for can vary between the levels of coverage you’ve opted for in your policy. Whilst you should always check the coverage details on a potential pet insurance policy, here is a list of the common things that are generally covered by as standard:

• Accidents: Most pet insurance policies cover the cost of veterinary treatment for injuries resulting from accidents, such as broken bones, cuts, and ingestion of foreign objects.
• Illnesses: Pet insurance can cover the cost of veterinary treatment for illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, and infections. However, pre-existing conditions may not be covered, and there may be waiting periods before coverage takes effect.
• Hereditary and congenital conditions: Some breeds of dogs and cats are prone to specific health conditions. Pet insurance may cover treatment for these conditions if they are hereditary or congenital.
• Preventative care: Some pet insurance policies offer coverage for preventative care, such as vaccinations, heartworm medication, and flea and tick prevention.
• Prescription medications: Pet insurance policies may cover the cost of prescription medications that your pet needs to manage an illness or condition.
• Emergency care: Pet insurance can cover the cost of emergency care, such as overnight stays, surgeries, and intensive care.

While these things are typically covered under a standard pet insurance policy, coverage can vary across lenders and some may have certain exclusions and limitations. Pet insurance can provide you with the peace of mind that you have financial protection in the event of unexpected veterinary costs.

So how does pet insurance work?

Now that we’ve covered what pet insurance is and what it insures you for, how does pet insurance work? Well, it’s pretty similar to other types of insurance you may be familiar with such as health or car insurance.

With pet insurance, you’ll pay a monthly or yearly premium in exchange for your coverage. When you take out a policy, you’ll get to choose from different levels of coverage, each with its own premium, deductible, and reimbursement rate.

The premium is the amount you pay to keep your coverage active, while the excess or deductible is the amount you have to pay out of your own pocket before your insurance policy kicks in. For example, if your pet incurs £1,000 in vet fees and your excess is £200, you’ll have to pay the first £200, and your insurance will cover the rest. Similar to most insurance policies, pet insurance requires that you pay this excess fee. This fee is the amount you commit to pay towards any claims you make when you take out coverage for your pet. Each policy will have a mandatory excess fee, but you can also opt to set a voluntary excess fee at a higher amount. The higher the voluntary excess fee you choose, the lower your premium is likely to be. It’s important to remember however not to set your voluntary excess too high so that you won’t be able to pay it if you need to make a claim.

When you take your pet to the vet due to an insurable event, you’ll either pay for the services upfront and then submit a claim to your insurance provider or your insurer will pay the vet directly minus any excess or admin fees. The payment method you’ll use will depend on your policy details and your insurer. After the insurance company reviews your claim, they’ll determine if the services you received are covered under your policy. If they are, the insurance company will reimburse you for the covered expenses, minus your excess.

It’s essential to note that pet insurance policies may have certain exclusions and limitations. For example, pre-existing conditions are typically not covered however some specialist providers my offer you coverage. This means that if your pet has a condition before you purchase pet insurance, any treatments related to that condition won’t be covered. Also, some policies may have age restrictions, so older pets might not be eligible for coverage.

Things to consider

When you’re shopping for pet insurance, make sure to compare policies from different providers and read the fine print. Look for a policy that offers the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget. Doing your research can save you a lot of headaches and help you find the right coverage for your furry friend.

In short, pet insurance is a way to provide coverage for veterinary expenses in exchange for a premium. Policies come with excess and potentially some additional fees depending on your policy. You’ll either pay the vet upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement or leave the payment to your insurer depending on your policy. It’s important to research policies before making a decision, so that’s why here at Quotezone.co.uk we’ve compiled a panel of UK based insurance specialists to make comparing quotes easier. Our independent, non-biased comparison tool can help you find the right pet insurance at a great price.

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.