Our relationship with our pets’ health and wellness can be a challenging one. You want to find the right food, exercise programme and home environment for them; but some elements of their wellbeing can frustratingly be out of your control.
When a pet falls ill, the desire to help them recover as quickly and comfortably as possible is paramount, and today’s veterinary medicine is more advanced than it has ever been, meaning that our pets are better cared for than ever before.
Whilst this means vets can diagnose and treat a wider variety of health concerns, the impact on treatment costs is inevitable, as more sophisticated tools and treatments used in today’s surgeries can be costly. Securing pet insurance is crucial to ensure that your pet is best cared for regardless of the circumstances. Today, only 45 percent of dogs and 25 percent of cats in the UK are properly insured, meaning that owners may face serious financial and emotional consequences in the event of illness or injury. Knowing that there is comprehensive pet insurance in place can mean that the pressure of an already stressful situation is significantly lessened, but the process of identifying an insurer that offers the best possible care within budget can be complex. So, what to look for?
There are price comparison sites available for pet insurance. However, it may not be possible to truly compare like-for-like since quality of cover can vary. Choosing a plan on price alone can mean that the policy is limited and will not cover the full of extent of some medical needs, or can, in some cases, be rendered invalid for complex illnesses or injuries.
Instead of purely relying on just price comparison, it is advisable to assess specific benefits needed for your pet, carefully considering options and services that go beyond surgery to keep your pet healthy and happy. For example, a simple X-ray can cost an average of £300, therefore it is a good idea to explore if your pet insurance will pay your vet directly meaning you are not out of pocket. Having a pet who is ill or injured is incredibly stressful and having the vet able to deal with your insurance company directly can be a real weight off your mind.
A final consideration is whether your premium is going to increase if you claim. Some pet insurance specialists increase premiums as a direct result of a claim, making insurance less affordable over the life of a pet. All too often, insurers entice customers in with low premiums in their first year and then increase the price in subsequent years. Therefore, it is important to do your research and ensure you are completely clear on the price plan you are signing up for. Remember, insurance companies rarely cover pre-existing conditions and swapping insurers after you have claimed can be tricky.
While the process of finding the right insurance can require some planning, by taking some time at the beginning of the process to work out exactly what you need and what will work for you, your family and your four-legged friend, you can focus on enjoying time with a happy, healthy pet.
Established over 41 years ago, Petplan is the UK’s No.1 pet insurance provider, offering comprehensive pet insurance, including Covered For Life® policies for dogs, cats and rabbits. Petplan is part of Allianz Insurance plc, one of the largest general insurers in the UK. For more information visit petplan.co.uk.
