Vet bills can mount up when it comes to your furry friend being ill. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to pay for each illness as it comes – and it will, especially with an older pet. But what can you do if you can’t afford expensive treatments on an ad-hoc basis?
The answer is pet insurance. When your pet is ill they are taken to the vet, treated, and then you fill out a claim form which gets sent to the insurance company. The company then either reimburses you for the fees you’ve paid, or pays the vet directly.
Like any insurance, there is normally an excess to pay, and the amount of this will be dependent on the type of insurance and the amount you can afford. It’s worth comparing insurance with different companies as the excess required may differ.
Some pet insurance policies promise to pay out if something sudden happens to your pet, such as death, accident or getting lost or stolen. Some even pay out if your pet is the cause of a car accident – the policy will cover the cost of damages to any vehicles. This is important if you let your pet out regularly as you are liable for any damages caused by your animal. This also applies to livestock.
If you have a dog, public liability cover is also an important feature. This will cover you if your dog harms someone – and will pay out any medical bills incurred. It is also worth having in the worst-case scenario of you getting sued because your dog has done what comes naturally and bitten the postman. A public liability policy will cover any court costs and compensation in the event of a judgement against you.
If you decide to take out a pet insurance policy, it’s worth remembering that premiums are dropping lower than they have in years, and companies are now in more competition with each other. Shop around for the best deal, and always read the small print.
J Tillotson is an author based in the UK. Her specialist subjects are energy and efficiency, and insurance.
http://www.moneysupermarket.com/petinsurance/