Being a dog owner comes with lots of responsibilities, including making sure that your furry best friend gets the medical attention that they need if they are injured or become sick. Unfortunately, animals are just as likely to be affected by accidents and illness as humans are. If something happens, your dog will need attention from a veterinarian. Unfortunately, our animals can’t tell us if something is wrong, and if there isn’t a visible injury, they rely on us noticing their unusual behaviour to realise that they need veterinary care.

 

The cost of veterinary treatment can vary significantly, and you can expect the bills to start with your dog’s very first consultation. If you are concerned about the cost of medical bills for your dog, you may benefit from pet insurance. 

 

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance is designed to help protect pet owners against unexpected costs associated with their animal. In the vast majority of cases, this refers to the unexpected costs associated with veterinary bills. However, there are also some other types of pet insurance – more on that later.

 

Pet insurance works in pretty much the same way as any other type of insurance. There are lots of different types available, and it’s essential to choose one that offers the coverage that your pet needs. For this reason, it’s crucial that you check policies carefully to make sure of what is included. You should also take note of any excess you will need to pay. This is the small amount that accompanies each claim. It’s important to be aware that just like other insurances, if you make a claim on your pet insurance, your policy cost may go up in future.

 

Benefits of pet insurance

There are plenty of great reasons to take out insurance for your waggy-tailed pal.

 

 

Save money

Insurance plans usually come with a small excess that you have to pay when you make a claim, but often this is a fraction of the cost of your pet’s medical treatment. The insurance company will then foot the bill, saving you a significant amount on your dog’s care.

 

Make the best decisions for your pet

When cost isn’t so much of a consideration, you can focus more on making sure that your dog gets the best veterinary care that is covered by your insurance, rather than being forced to consider low-cost, and potentially low-quality, alternatives. Most pet owners say that this peace of mind is invaluable and helps them to prioritise the health and happiness of their pet!

 

Access the widest range of care

In the case of your furbaby requiring complex or expensive treatment, insurance gives you options that might otherwise be out of reach. For example, veterinary surgery can run into thousands of pounds – something that might otherwise ne completely unaffordable. Having insurance in place can ease the financial burden as well as ensuring that your darling dog can access the latest and most effective therapies and treatments.

 

Flexible plans

With pet insurance, you have the freedom to pick an insurance plan that best suits the needs of your dog. This means that you won’t be paying for cover that you don’t need or want. Most pet insurance companies offer pay monthly options too, helping you to spread the cost.

 

 

Other types of pet insurance

Although pet insurance is primarily used to help owners cover the cost of unexpected medical bills for their animal, there are also several other types of pet insurance policy to be aware of.

 

The first is a dental-only pet insurance policy. This is designed to cover any dental care your dog needs during their lifetime. Dogs are particularly prone to periodontitis – a form of advanced gum disease – that can cause infection, pain, foul breath and tooth loss.

 

he second is a policy that will reimburse you for the value of your dog if they are stolen. Although nothing can replace your precious pooch, some owners who buy expensive breeds or who have show dogs or working dogs choose to insure them against theft.

 

And finally, an increasing number of owners are choosing to take out third-party liability insurance. This is a type of insurance that pays out if your dog accidentally or intentionally causes damage or harm to another person, animal or property. For example, you may want to make a claim if your dog goes to stay with a friend and claws their carpet, or if they were to cause a nasty injury to their groomer that meant that they couldn’t work for a few days.

 

 

Pet insurance can help ensure that you provide the very best care for your furbaby for the duration of their lifetime – what responsible doggy owner wouldn’t want that?