When Is It Worth Claiming On Pet Insurance?

It’s something most pet owners hope they will never have to do, unfortunately however life happens and your pets may at some point fall sick or suffer an injury. In situations like this you may be wondering whether it is appropriate to claim on your pet insurance policy or not.

When to claim

Technically you are able to claim on your pet insurance for any insurable condition or event covered by your policy. However there are some situations where claiming on your pet insurance, whether it be for a cat, dog or even an exotic pet, may not be the best option.

Firstly you should consider the impact of making a claim. By claiming on your pet insurance you will substantially increase the cost of your premiums. This will not only apply to your current insurer but also to other insurers who you may take out a policy with in future. This is because pets that have had claims previously made on them are considered more risky by insurers.

Another factor to consider is that of excess…

Consider your excess

It is likely not worth making a claim if your excess is near to the cost of the treatment or service you wish to claim on. This is evident when you factor in the costs of increased premiums further down the road. If your excess amount exceeds the cost of the treatment or vet visit then it is worth simply covering these incidents out of your own pocket.

Common reasons for a claim

You should make a claim when your pet requires treatment such as surgery or a veterinary visit that is of a significant cost. For example the cost of surgeries on a cat in the UK is on average over £1000 pounds. This is obviously an amount which many Brits would consider a significant expense. Long-term treatments due to an injury or illness that your pet suffers after you’ve taken out an insurance policy are also usually claimed on.

*Note – Most insurers will not cover a pet that has a pre-existing medical condition. For coverage on a pet with a pre-existing illness you should consult a specialist provider.

Conclusion

Ultimately it is up to you to decide when it is worth claiming on your pet insurance policy. Although it might be tempting to avoid taking your pet to the vet through fears of raised premiums should you need to make a claim, it is important to remember that your insurance policy is there to cover you for getting your pet the treatment it needs. You should consider the costs of the treatment that your pet requires and whether it is significant enough for you to claim on your pet insurance or simply pay by yourself. This will usually be for vet visits only however, as if your pet requires surgery then in all likelihood you’ll need to claim through your insurance policy.

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.