Why do we have pets?
They give us affection, loyalty and companionship. They become
part of the family and we are responsible for their welfare and wellbeing, in sickness and
in health. However, even the most careful and conscientious owner cannot always prevent
accidents or illness befalling their pet, and two out of three pets will require
veterinary attention this year.We
strongly recommend that you insure your pet for veterinary fees as soon as possible.
When our pets become ill we want the best
treatment for them. Modern veterinary medicine compare favorable to human medicine but
with one major difference - our pets do not have the benefit of the NHS.
Pet health insurance takes away the worry of a
large vets bill for unexpected accidents or illnesses and provides the peace of mind that
goes with knowing that your pet will receive the treatment he needs not just the treatment
you can afford.
How
much cover does my pet need?
The degree of cover available varies from insurance company to
insurance company. Some offer just vets fees cover and third party liability cover whilst
other companies cover additional risks.
Before insuring your pet read all the
information carefully, including the Terms and Conditions (especially the small print) and
select your insurance company by the plan that suits your needs best.
Because of the variation in companies the
following should be used as guidelines only, they will however give you some idea as to
the cover on offer and the important points to consider.
With some companies you will pay extra to
insure large or giant breeds of dog.
From
what age can I insure my pet?
You can insure your pet from six to eight weeks of age
depending on which company you select. Some companies will then continue cover for life
while others state that renewal at the age of ten years is at their discretion.
What
if my pet already has an illness?
Insure your pet as soon as you can. Once a condition has been
diagnosed or a pet has received any treatment those conditions may be excluded from cover.
If your pet has already received veterinary
treatment or an abnormality has been detected, you must inform the insurance company when
taking out the policy.
What
will I be able to claim for?
Insurance cover is for unexpected accidents or illnesses.
Vaccinations, preventative treatment, routine spaying and castration are not covered and
there is no cover relating to pregnancy, whelping or kittening, although some companies
may offer this on specialist policies.
Any claims which are settled will deduct an
excess fee. Some companies charge a fixed amount whilst others use a percentage of the
total claimed. There is always a gap between application for insurance being accepted and
cover commencing so make sure you are aware of the time span.
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