Insuring your dog – what you should check!
12th April 2010
We all know how important it is to insure your pet – should the worse happen and you’re faced with expensive veterinary bills, it is always reassuring to know that they will be covered by your policy. However, finding good pet insurance isn’t as easy as you may imagine, and there are different types of policy out there which may or may not be right for you and your pet.
As with any type of insurance, pet insurance policies can differ greatly from one another. Before you put pen to paper and sign on the dotted line, take your time to read through all the fine print. Make sure you fully understand exactly what the policy grants you, exactly what you are covered for, and if there are any exclusions which may affect you. Don’t be afraid to ask the insurance company to clarify any points that you don’t understand – after all, this is a legally binding contract you are about to sign. In order to make an informed decision, you should be aware of any potential pitfalls that may occur in the future, and your insurance company should be more than happy you answer any questions you may have.
Take particular time to find out exactly what is covered; if there are any caps or payment limits to cover bills and excess to bear in mind. Your policy should plainly state what you are entitled to, and this should be clear from the outset. Many insurance policies consist of different features that are appropriate to the needs of a certain type of person. This person, however, may not be you, and if there are any additional factors in your insurance that you feel you don’t need, then it is always worth talking to your broker to see if this can be changed. It is not worth paying for a service you don’t need, and if this is the case, the insurance company may suggest moving across to a different policy altogether.
You should also be careful that your personal circumstances won’t affect the policy. Some unscrupulous insurance companies will try anything to avoid paying out. It is rare, but not unknown, for some claims to be rejected for a seemingly innocent policy holder name change due to marriage, a change of address, an unrevealed previous claim, and I even heard of a claim being rejected due to an unpaid parking fine! Talking to the broker about exactly what would invalidate a claim, and make sure you’re prepared to stick to their guidelines before you agree to sign anything.
Here are a few pointers to keep your eye out for when checking your policy...
Premiums – How long does the premium last for? Most insurance houses will cover for pet for 12 months, but some operate on a quarterly or biannual basis.
Payment limits – It is a common practise to place a limit on to how much your pet insurance will pay out. This is generally capped up to a value of £5,000. Remember, the higher the limit, the higher the premium that you’ll pay.
Policy coverage – Check to make sure your pet will still be covered for recurrent illnesses. Some insurers won’t pay out if your dog has already been treated at a vets for the same problem before.
Excess – You will also find that, like other forms of insurance, pet insurance companies operate an excess payment scheme. Normally this is anything up to £100, but can vary greatly from policy to policy. Again, this will have an overall effect on the cost of your premium.
Multiple -pet discounts – If you own more than one pet, it may be worth your while checking to see if you can get a discount on insuring both pets from the same broker. Many firms will offer you a substantial discount if more than one animal is covered by them at a time.
Waiting period – When you make a claim, it is very rare for a pet insurance company to pay out on the same day they receive notice of this. The good ones do, but always find out how long this may be delayed for whilst it is processed through their system.
Minimum and maximum age – You will find that some pet insurance companies will refuse to insure your dog if it is below or reaches a certain age. Again, on the whole, good brokers will, but be careful to make sure your faithful companion isn’t too old to be insured.
Today, more than ever, it is important to make sure your pet is properly insured, as the cost of rising veterinary bills can cripple many owners if they are not covered for treatment. Be sure to shop around for the best deals available. The internet is a great source of information, and many of the largest insurance companies have an online presence so you can read ahead before contacting them for a quote. As long as you are prepared to do a little window shopping and price comparison, you’ll soon find the policy that is right for you. Remember, your pets future health may depend upon it!
Since 1997, Healthy Pets Insurance has remained independent and specialist choosing to trade on the trust of its policyholders to gain one of the highest renewal rates in the industry. Healthy Pets Ltd is located in Ridgeway Office Park, Petersfield, Hampshire. The company can be contacted on sales@healthy-pets.co.uk, 01730 268592 or online at www.healthy-pets.co.uk.
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For more information about this article release please contact Sammy on 01730 268 592 or e-mail: sammy@healthy-pets.co.uk |
