Why Do I Need Pet Insurance

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     Most people usually take out pet insurance to cover the bills for serious veterinary treatment as this can become extremely expensive. In fact so expensive in some cases that the animal has to be put down as the owners cannot afford the treatments. Pet insurance ensures this does not happen as the insurance company pays the medical expenses, which leaves you time and energy to nurse your pet back to health.

What Is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance is a policy that provides cover for your household pets and is mainly used for cats and dogs. Most pet insurance will pay for the veterinary costs if your pet is ill or has an accident. Pet insurance can also provide 3rd party cover for any damage your pet may do to other people抯 property and cover other expenses such as travel, theft, emergency kenneling costs and even death. Pet insurance also gives you peace of mind, knowing that your pet will always receive the best medical treatment available.

On average one in every three pets need treatment from a veterinary each year following injury or illness and more than 50% of the visits to the veterinary clinic are unplanned due to an accident or sudden illness. Treatment for hip treatments, spinal injuries, broken legs and internal complaints can quickly run into thousands of dollars, especially if x-rays or medication is required. There are also the unforeseen associated costs that may be incurred like holiday cancellations and court costs (you are liable if your dog causes an accident). All of these can add up quickly.

Many pet health insurance companies only cover cats and dogs as a rule. However, there are some companies that also provide cover for other animals such as exotic birds, horses, reptiles and rodents.

What Types Of Pet Insurance Policies Are There?

Most pet insurance companies provide numerous policies from the basic through to premium plans that give cover for every aspect of your pet抯 medical care. You need to decide how much care is right for your pet and then pick a policy that closely matches your needs. As with other insurance policies, the higher the premium, the more cover that is provided.

It is important to look out for the following main points to see if they are included in the pet insurance policy:

1. Cover for life or fixed term
2. Vet Fees
3. Death from illness
4. Accidental Damage
5. The policy excess
6. Dental treatment?
7. Third Party Liability & legal expenses
8. Death from accident, theft or straying
9. How much of the vet bills are covered. 70 ?100%
10. Emergency treatments, X-rays, lab fees etc

Like with humans, many pet insurance companies require your pet to have a medical exam prior to any cover being provided. This is so the insurer can manage their risk and keep premiums low as they are not supplying cover for animals that are on deaths door and having to payout on an animal that are known to be dying. The insurance companies will usually put a cap on the total amount they will pay on a policy either in any given year or on any one type of illness. If your pet suffers from a pre-existing medical condition, you may struggle to find an insurance company that will give you cover.

The easiest way to save money on your pet insurance is to shop around and compare prices. Check at least 3 different insurance companies to compare terms and pricing to ensure you get the best deal.