Your Pets Daily - Pet insurance

A vet's guide - everything you need to know about pet insurance

Tom Stone — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Pets are part of the family – they give unconditional love and are always there for us, through the ups and downs. That's why the vet charity for pets in need, PDSA, is reminding pet owners the importance of pet insurance should the worst happen.

"It's our responsibility to take care of our furry family members," explains PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing. "And unless you are fortunate enough to have large savings to fall back on, insurance that covers vet fees is an absolute necessity and even a life saver should your pet get into an accident or become unwell.

"While we strongly advise that you insure your pet, it can be hard to understand exactly how pet insurance works – especially with all the unfamiliar terminology. There are a wide range of policies out there to suit your pet's individual healthcare needs and your budget, so we've pulled together an ultimate guide to give you all the information you need."

Lifetime cover

Lifetime policies cover your pet for the cost of treatment for any injuries or illnesses throughout their life, that weren't present before you started the policy.
The big advantage of these policies is that they reset every year at renewal. You can continue to claim up to the yearly policy limit year after year for the same condition, as long as you renew with no break in cover.
Lifetime cover is generally the most complete type of cover that you can get. It will cover your pet for chronic conditions meaning you'll be protected from the cost of ongoing vet treatment – unlike with accident-only or time-limited cover.
With lifetime cover, you'll also be covered for any short or long term treatment your pet may need. Meaning they will be covered for a road traffic accident right through to treating chronic conditions like arthritis.
Ultimately, this is the best way to keep your beloved companion covered.

Time limited cover

Also known as annual cover, time limited cover provides your pet with insurance coverage for accidents and illnesses for a set time period (usually a year) from when the symptoms start as long as the policy continues with the same insurer.
It's worth mentioning that the time period starts from when the condition is first seen, not when first claimed.
When 12 months have passed or the policy financial limit is reached, you'll no longer be covered for vet fees for that specific accident or illness.
Time limited cover tends to be lower-priced. However if your pet develops a longer term condition such as arthritis, or has recurrent problems with for example skin irritation, after 12 months you will no longer be able to claim for this or any related problems.
Therefore, this type of cover is most useful for short-term illnesses, such as unexpected injuries like a car accident or surgery to treat an infected wound.

Accident only cover

Your pet might need urgent treatment for hospitalisation, x-rays or extensive surgery after an accident – which can all add up to a large amount of cost in one go. This is where accident only cover can be of use.
Accident only cover only covers accidental injuries (such as road traffic accidents) not illnesses. It can be helpful if you're finding paying for the more expensive cover difficult, but try to upgrade as soon as you can.
As pets get older they are more likely to develop illnesses that wouldn't be covered by accident only policies. However, it could be the right cover if you're on a tight budget, have a young and healthy pet and would struggle to afford the cost if your pet was badly injured.

Maximum benefit cover

Alternatively, there is maximum benefit cover, also known as 'condition capped' or 'money limited'. This cover provides a fixed amount to treat each illness or injury for as long as the policy remains in force.
Unfortunately, if your pet is still unwell after the maximum amount is reached, you'll have to pay for further treatment yourself.
It's also worth mentioning that you could reach the limit quickly if your pet needs expensive treatment, such as a major operation.
Again, this cover is ideal if you are on a tight budget and have a younger pet.

"Now you know about the different types of pet insurance, you should have a better idea of what the right policy is for you," adds Nina.

"The most important part of pet insurance is making sure that it fits your individual pet's needs. There's nothing worse than taking out pet insurance, only to realise that it doesn't provide the right coverage for your furry friend at a time when you really need it.

"Speak to your vet about the policy that is best for you and your pet if you are still unsure."

Nina's answered some of PDSA's most frequently asked insurance questions:

What's an excess?

The excess is the amount of money you will have to pay for your pets' treatment at the vets, when they have been unwell. If the cost of your pet's treatment has gone above the excess amount, the insurance company should pay the remaining balance up to the maximum agreed amount in your policy.
Not all vet practices are able to make direct claims to the insurance company, so you should be prepared to pay your vet practice the full amount of money that is owed to them and then you will need to claim it back afterwards from the insurance company. You will not be refunded the excess amount.
The excess will be an amount that you agreed with your insurance company when taking out your policy.
Paying a higher excess can reduce the cost of your pet insurance – but make sure that it's still an affordable amount for you.

Does pet insurance cover long-term illness?

"Just like us, our pets can develop long-term illnesses such as diabetes and arthritis. Sadly, not all pet insurance policies will cover the cost of your pet's treatment if this happens. This is why it's important to have the right insurance to make sure your furry friend is covered.

"Lifetime cover is the best pet insurance for this, as it will protect your companion for the rest of their life, as long as you renew your policy. However, there are some limits on cover either per condition or per year. Therefore, make sure to read your policy documents carefully to see what the limits are."

Does pet insurance cover dentistry?

"Most pet insurance for dogs and cats do not include dental work as standard. You'll normally have to pay extra to include this. Even if dentistry is included, your pet insurance is unlikely to cover routine dental treatments like a scale and polish. Dentistry will typically cover accidents, such as your pet breaking a tooth, and the care of infected teeth and abscesses.

What's a pre-existing condition?

"A pre-existing condition is a one-off or long-term illness, injury or symptom your pet is suffering or has suffered from before taking out your new policy. This even includes if your pet didn't receive treatment, or you were told it was nothing serious. Even if you didn't claim for the condition on a previous insurance policy, it still counts as a pre-existing condition. Pet insurance companies need to know about all pre-existing conditions as this could affect a future claim. Whenever you make a claim, your pet insurance provider will review your pet's medical records to see if there are any pre-existing conditions that they cannot cover.

What vet fees does my pet insurance cover?

"When you have chosen the pet insurance policy that's right for you, you'll be covered for the vet treatments included in your policy. This is usually accidents, injuries, unexpected illnesses, including emergency and out of hours care. Unfortunately, routine pet health care is not covered. In addition, if your pet is unwell but treatment costs fall within your excess, there will not be the option to claim from your insurer at that time.

"Pet insurance can cover vet fees for MRI and CT scans, physiotherapy and even overseas veterinary treatment as long as these treatment costs fall within the policy limit. Some policies may even cover complimentary treatments such as hydrotherapy or behavioural treatment. Be sure to read your policy documents to find out exactly what is covered.

Is there an age limit?

"There isn't an official age limit for insuring your pet – but it's worth noting that many pet insurance companies do have age limits in place for taking out new policies. Pet insurance often covers kittens and puppies from eight weeks of age.

"For new policies, cats can be insured when older, although there may be less insurance companies willing to provide cover. For those cats being insured for the first time in their senior years, excesses may be higher and policies on offer may be restricted dependent on their breed and health. With ageing dogs, there are providers willing to insure them, however as with cats, excesses may be higher and breed or health conditions may cause restrictions to the policy. Ultimately, this is why we recommend finding a reputable pet insurance provider, like PDSA Pet Insurance, and staying with them throughout your beloved companion's life.

"We strongly advise taking out insurance for your pet while they are young. Before they have the chance to develop any illnesses that could be classed as pre-existing conditions – as few companies will cover these. This type of insurance is most likely going to be more expensive than standard pet insurance, too."

PDSA is the UK's largest vet charity providing a vital service for pets across the UK whose owners struggle to afford treatment costs for their sick and injured pets. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn.

The charity's insurance partner, PDSA Pet Insurance, offers a range of policies to cover cats and dogs for accidents and illness, as well as providing access to a 24/7 veterinary helpline. Every policy sold raises funds for the charity's life-saving veterinary work.

To find out more visit www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-insurance-pdsa

Check your dog walker has insurance or risk hefty costs

Tom Stone — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Dog owners have been urged to make sure anyone who takes their beloved pet for a walk is fully insured before they hand over the lead.

Insurance experts at Suited Insure are warning dog lovers across the UK they could end up facing hefty bills if their pooch is harmed under the care of an uninsured walker. An estimated 13 million homes in Britain have a dog in their household, putting over 19% of Brits at risk of their dog being harmed, causing distress or injury to another person or going missing while on a walk.

This is why experts are calling for checks on all dog walkers to ensure they are covered by professional indemnity and public liability covers.

The pandemic saw an increase in the number of households buying and adopting dogs. With many of these workers now back in the office they are relying on family members, neighbours or other local dog walkers to care for their pooch during the day. Trusting an uninsured family member or friend means the dog walker is unable to claim for financial compensation if a dog is lost, stolen, seriously injured or dies under the walker's care.

This is why the experts at Suited Insure advise all dog owners to make sure their walker is insured before handing the responsibility of their pet over to them.

Jana Kejvalova, of Suited Insure said: "We are a nation of pet lovers, and once we open our homes to a four-legged friend, they quickly become an important member of the family. This is why it is so important to make sure you are covered if the worst were to happen while they were in the care of someone else. There are lots of things that can go wrong on dog walks, many out of the walker's control. From serious injury to dog theft or in the worst case scenario, death.

"The dog walker could also be harmed by your dog in some incidents. Large breeds can be stronger than expected and if they become frightened or jumpy they could do some damage by pulling on the lead. Even the smallest dogs can cause harm from biting out of fear or concern. Although handing over the responsibility to a family member or friend may seem like a cheap and easy route to choose, their lack of small business insurance will cost you if anything were to go wrong. If a dog is stolen or sustains a serious injury from running off from the dog-walker and into a busy road, it will be you paying the cost for the hefty vet bills."

Jana continues: "Every dog needs daily exercise to keep fit and healthy, but their lives shouldn't be compromised by handing them over to people without the correct insurance. Hiring a professional can reduce the risks of accidents altogether, but if something does happen you will have the peace of mind you won't be held responsible.

"This is why it is important to do your research and ask questions when searching for a dog walker, rather than handing them over to the care of someone close to you. Dogs are much-loved members of the family and the last thing anyone wants is to get the call that something terrible has happened to them on the walk.

"It's devastating to lose a pet in any scenario, but especially while they were in the care of someone else and you're left picking up the pieces paying thousands in vet costs. Nobody would leave their kids with someone they don't know very well, so why put your dogs at the same risk?"

Expert advises on what to do when your insurance doesn’t cover your pet’s health problems

Your Pets Daily Editor — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

When your pet gets ill or is injured, it's a big concern, especially since it can be very expensive and difficult to afford. To avoid stressing you out with unexpected bills, here are 5 things to consider when it comes to covering your pet's health, according to an expert from Petplan, including tips on what to do if you find yourself in a tricky financial situation.

1. Why is it important to have pet insurance?

There are many reasons that it's important to insure your pet. First and foremost, pet insurance can help you cover the cost of veterinary bills. If your pet gets ill or is injured, the right pet insurance policy will give you peace of mind that you'll be able to cover the cost of their care, and reduce the financial stresses that come with unexpected bills. What's more, lifetime pet insurance policies will ensure that your pet is covered for any lifelong conditions they are diagnosed with after the cover started. This means that you can continue to access veterinary care for that condition throughout your pet's life.

Just like us, pets can get ill or injured at any time so it's important to make sure you have the right cover in place to be able to get them the best care you can. Not all pet insurance policies are the same, and finding the right cover from day one is really important.

Asking these questions can help you decide what cover is just right for your pet's needs:

Will my pet's symptoms or condition be covered for life?
Are there any limits per condition within the vet fee cover?
Does the policy cover dental illness and injury?
Will my premiums go up as a result of claiming against the policy?

Alongside vet fees and dental care, Petplan policies also provide cover for missing pets, diagnostic tests and scans, complementary treatments and behavioural conditions, as standard.

2. Why shouldn't pet owners rely on fundraisers to foot the bill for veterinary costs for their pets?

Veterinary costs are often sudden and unforeseen, or ongoing. If your pet needs immediate care, you won't want to wait before you are able to take them to the vet and, whilst it might seem like a good idea, fundraising for your pet's care could take a very long time. Your pet's condition could get worse during this period, which risks prolonging your pet's distress, as well as increasing the costs of veterinary care.

What's more, you cannot rely on people to donate to your pet's care fund and you may quickly find yourself out of options if you don't receive the donations you need.

Furthermore, some treatments are required over the longer term. Whilst fundraising may work over the short term, perhaps to cover the cost of an initial operation, it is rarely viable over the longer term for ongoing care and medications.

If you would struggle to pay an unexpected vet bill, it's always best to take out a pet insurance policy to alleviate some financial concerns.

3. What should you do if your current pet insurance plan doesn't cover the extent of your pet's treatment? Is fundraising a viable option then?

All pet insurance policies have a vet fee limit in place. Some also have additional limits hidden within the small print of your policy documents. Make sure you understand what medical conditions your policy covers, and for how much and how long before committing to a policy.

Unfortunately, if your existing policy does not cover your current vet bills, switching providers for a different policy won't help and the new policy will not be able to cover the current costs. This is because the current symptoms (as well as any previous ones) will be labelled as pre-existing – even if your pet has recovered from the illness that caused them.

Again, whilst there's nothing to stop you fundraising for your pet, it's important to remember that this can take time and is not a failsafe method. You could be prolonging your pet's distress or even putting them in danger by not seeking veterinary help sooner.

4. Are there any medical conditions that aren't covered by pet insurance?

There are various different types of pet insurance cover. The four main types are:

Accident-only
Time-limited
Maximum benefit
Lifetime

As the name suggests, accident-only cover applies to conditions caused by an accident, such as a road-traffic accident or ingesting something they shouldn't. These types of policy will not cover you for illnesses or diseases.

Whether you purchase a time-limited, maximum-benefit or lifetime cover policy, you'll need to understand the exclusions that may be placed on your particular policy – these are costs that your pet insurer will not cover. When you take out a policy on a perfectly healthy puppy, kitten or baby rabbit, there are unlikely to be any exclusions on your policy.

However, if your pet has shown symptoms of a condition and/or has been treated for an illness or injury, these conditions may not be covered on a new policy as they are now referred to as a pre-existing condition. A pre-existing condition could be placed on your existing policy on renewal, or on a new policy if you switch providers. Note that a pre-existing condition doesn't mean that the cause of the symptoms has been diagnosed. If your pet has received treatment for a limp for example, even though the exact cause of that limp was never diagnosed, your new insurer is unlikely to cover any costs related to limping on your policy. If your pet is already insured before the limp started then your insurer should cover costs related to diagnosing or treating it, provided they fall within your vet fee limits and have not already been excluded.

Pre-existing symptoms and conditions are a common cause of declined claims, so it's important to read your insurance documents carefully when switching or renewing your policy.

Depending on your insurance provider, a time-limited policy may offer cover for 12 months from when your pet first exhibited that symptom or condition. On other policies, such as Petplan's Essential policy, your pet is covered for 12 months after starting treatment, covering vet bills up to £3,000. Many pet owners who have insured their pet using a time-limited policy assume that they have one year of cover from when they start claiming. This means that they sometimes consent to costly investigations and treatments assuming they are covered because they haven't claimed yet.

Sometimes a pet owner will only realise a symptom or condition is excluded when their claim is declined by the insurer, because they check a pet's medical records to see whether they've previously suffered from these symptoms. If this has happened more than a year ago, this claim will be declined.

This does not happen, however, when a pet has been insured continuously via a lifetime policy. This is by far the major advantage of taking out one of these policies when your pet is young and perfectly healthy. Most pet insurers also don't cover routine vaccinations, parasite control, microchipping and neutering. These are all essential parts of responsible pet ownership so you'll need to budget for these separately.

5. If you can't afford pet insurance, where should you turn?

Whilst it does add an additional cost to your monthly outgoings, a good quality pet insurance policy is the best way to ensure you're financially supported if something does happen to your pet, as vet fees can be surprisingly expensive.

However, if you are really struggling to foot the bill, there are some charities you can turn to for help. PDSA offers means-tested veterinary support to some pet owners; to qualify for their support you need to be receiving certain benefits, such as housing or council tax support, and live within the catchment area of a PDSA centre. The Blue Cross operates a similar scheme and the RSPCA offers reduced-cost vet care to pet owners who meet their criteria.

Your Pets Daily - Pet insurance

A vet's guide - everything you need to know about pet insurance

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Check your dog walker has insurance or risk hefty costs

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Expert advises on what to do when your insurance doesn’t cover your pet’s health problems

1. Why is it important to have pet insurance?

2. Why shouldn't pet owners rely on fundraisers to foot the bill for veterinary costs for their pets?

3. What should you do if your current pet insurance plan doesn't cover the extent of your pet's treatment? Is fundraising a viable option then?

4. Are there any medical conditions that aren't covered by pet insurance?

5. If you can't afford pet insurance, where should you turn?

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