Pet insurance is an option many pet owners tend to overlook. Most Pet Insurance companies only used to cover death of an animal, now many companies set up specifically for that purpose bring a completely new concept to the pet health industry by offering Pet Health Insurance.
Using flexible payment options most Pet Insurance Companies offer coverage for a wide range of illnesses, injuries and hereditary defects, which often plague pets in their later years.
What is Covered?
Many companies cover 70% – 80% of the medical bills though some companies will even cover up to 100% of the medical costs of treating your pet including medications and veterinary clinic stays.
Emergency treatments, cancer therapy, X-rays and lab fees are additionally now covered in some of the more comprehensive policies.
Pet Insurance agencies will not however cover an animal for a pre-existing medical condition, pregnancy, dental problems, or congenital defects.
Most Insurance companies insist on the animal having a physical performed by a designated Vet before they sign the animal up.
Some companies further offer policies that work in a similar way to Human Life insurance, paying out on the death or loss of your pet and paying for Pet Bereavement Counselling for the owner.
Most Pet Health Insurance companies as a rule only cover cats and dogs. However, there are a few companies that also cover other animals such as birds, particularly the more expensive exotic varieties, reptiles, and rodents.
Where Can I Find an Insurance Company?
To find Health Insurance Companies search the Internet or look in your local Telephone directory. Many of the pet publications on the market also havePet Insurance in their advertisement sections.
Before committing to a policy with an Insurance company shop around. Many companies have a variety of structured policies from basic through to premium plans each covering different aspects of your pets’ medical care.
Look carefully at what is incorporated in each plan before you make a decision.
What one Insurance company does not cover may be available from another Insurance company in a similar plan.
What Else Can My Pet be Covered For?
Some companies not only cover health issues. Many UK dog owners may not be aware that they are legally responsible for their dogs. If the dog is involved in an accident with a vehicle, they are responsible for any damages incurred to the vehicle because of the accident under the 1971 Animals Act. By having Pet Insurance, many dog owners found they were covered as part of their policy for such an occurrence. This is called Third Party Liability Insurance.
Cover can also be provided for Holiday cancellation due to pet loss or the animals need for immediate treatment.
Boarding costs for your animal are covered by some Insurance companies should the owner have to be hospitalised and have no where for the animal to stay in their absence.
Cover may also be provided for theft of the animal, or if it strays, to assist with recovery costs such as advertising and the offer of a reward for the animals return.
These are the sort of things you need to find out if the policy you choose covers.
Prepare for the Unexpected.
Vet bills are often unexpected and end up far more expensive then you can allow for. Money invested in Pet Health Insurance is well worth the expense if anything should happen to your pet.
It gives peace of mind knowing any expenses incurred for treatment of your animal are not going to hit you financially, while allowing your pet to get the best medical treatment available.
