Just as for humans, there are also health insurances for animals. They used to be ignored, but now pet owners are taking them out more and more. Why? What does this insurance consist of and how do you choose it? Let’s find out the answers.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is not compulsory, but it is a good way to protect yourself financially against the high cost of veterinary bills.
When you take out an insurance policy, you choose between different packages. Then, if your dog has a health problem and medical expenses occur, you can get reimbursed depending on the plan.
So it works just like any other insurance or health insurance.
What animals should you insure?
Insurance is usually divided into two categories: dog insurance and cat insurance.
All breeds and ages can benefit from insurance. The amount of premiums required varies according to the age of the animal, its breed and its state of health.
There are also insurances for other pets, but they are less common and more expensive.
Why should I buy pet insurance?
The two main advantages of pet insurance are that you can always take good care of your pet and that you can control your expenses.
After all, veterinary costs can be expensive even if the dog is not suffering from any illness. Take my dog Jodie, for example. In a month and a half, she combined several treatments for itching and redness due to a pollen allergy as well as dandruff. This left me with a bill of 350 euros. This is sometimes an impossible sum for households with no savings to draw down.
If you love your animals as much as I do, the alternative of not caring for your pet is out of the question.
With the support of insurance to help you through the tough times, you’ll have peace of mind.
Pet insurance has other advantages as well. In particular, there is a whole preventive component to some insurance policies. Some insurances help you pay for vaccinations, examinations and dental check-ups. The goal is to catch major problems early so they can be treated quickly. This costs the insurance company and you less, and is especially beneficial to the health of your four-legged friend.
The insurance company is also available in case of serious accidents. If your dog is hit by a car driver, a quick call to your insurance company can guarantee reimbursement of the costs of the necessary operations. Thus, treatment is immediate and increases the chances of recovery.
Finally, let’s not forget the cost of dog insurance. Paid monthly, insurance costs only a few euros for the cheapest policies. For an older dog with a comfort fee, it is closer to fifty euros.
How to choose an insurance for your dog or cat?
Since the insurance market is a growing market, many professionals are positioning themselves in it. But: not all policies are the same and it is sometimes difficult to compare them.
I recommend that you shop around first:
- The amount of monthly premiums to be paid.
- The amount of the excess: The excess is the amount you have to pay out of your own pocket before you are reimbursed the first euro of the amount you have paid.
- The annual reimbursement limit: with some policies you have a maximum reimbursement limit per year. This can be complicated if your dog reports a serious illness or suffers an accident.
- The treatments and actions reimbursed: The more comprehensive the rate, the more treatments and actions will be reimbursed. Pay attention to exclusions. In Jodie’s case, for example, some insurance policies exclude reimbursement for heart disease, as running is beneficial for these ailments.
Other points you should analyze are the possible expenses for prevention and training, your reimbursements in case of problems abroad, but also the insurer’s customer service or the facility to cancel the contract.
I conclude this article with the strong recommendation not to lie about your pet’s condition. If your dog has a disease that you do not declare when signing the contract, or if you declare a false age in order to pay two euros less in monthly premiums, you risk the contract being null and void.
Compare insurers well, provide accurate information about your situation and that of your dog, and then check before or after each expense whether or not you are entitled to reimbursement. This is the best way to get the most out of your pet.
