#rowanrecommends – Pet Health Insurance
January 11, 2022
#didyouknow that pets have a welfare right to access healthcare? Pet insurance is a VERY important part of pet ownership and helps pay for your pet’s healthcare.
A pet that is unwell and needs treatment is very upsetting and stressful for owners. Not being able to afford treatment for a much loved pet adds to this stress and upset.
What policy should I get?
Pet healthcare insurance can be a minefield for owners. There are SO many options available all of which promise to cover those unexpected vet bills. Sometimes it’s only when you need to access the policy that owners really understand what cover they’ve got and sometimes it isn’t what they thought.
We can’t recommend a particular company or policy type because everyone has their own needs and budgets. We do, however, recommend that you consider some key points when choosing a policy for your pet:
- Choose a “LIFETIME” policy. This means that if your pet suffers from a condition that will require on-going treatment or perhaps treatment for the rest of its life, the policy may continue to pay for that treatment for as long as it’s required, less any excess amounts contained with the terms and conditions of your policy.
- Look at any excess amounts. Most policies will attract a fixed excess amount and will depend on the type of pet you have, their age and where you live. How the excess is applied will depend on your policy conditions. A policy might also apply a percentage excess as well as a fixed amount. Excesses can be applied in many different ways; per year, per condition, per condition per year. Check what excess amounts will apply to your policy. Paying a higher excess amount might also reduce your monthly premium so it’s worth asking the provider if this is an option.
- Make sure the policy you choose offers an insurance amount that would cover the likely treatment costs your pet might need. Different policies will offer different amounts based on the premium you pay. Consider what amount would be sufficient based on the kind of pet you have and the likely health issues they might experience.
For example, Labradors are prone to knee and joint issues that require surgery. This type of surgery can cost AT LEAST £2500. If you have a policy with a treatment limit of upto £1000 per condition per year, your policy would pay out up to that amount, less any excesses that apply to your particular policy. This could mean that to pay for the treatment your pet needs, you would potentially need to find another £1500!
The small print!
Other long term health conditions pets can experience, such as diabetes, require long-term treatment. Time limited policies (12 months cover) would only pay out for 12 months from the time the condition started. After that, the policy would no longer cover the cost of treatment.
- The phrase “you get what you pay for” is a key message when looking to buy a pet healthcare insurance policy. Just because a policy is being offered for a low monthly premium it doesn’t mean that it will give you what you need for your pet. Read the small print, ask questions about what is covered and what isn’t covered and also ask if a policy covers for both accidents and illness. Only compare “like for like” when looking at premium prices, if it’s cheaper it’s likely offering less than a more expensive policy.
If you’d like to discuss other ways in which you can manage the health of your pet or any of the other #rowanrecommends topics, contact the client care team on PetsApp or by calling 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352.
#rowanvets #vetsinpreston #vetsinblackpool #vetsinlytham #vetsinkirkham #vetsinwarton #vetsinfreckelton #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #picoftheday #love #healthypets #goldstandardpetcare #pethealthplan
Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash
