Why you need pet insurance

We insure our homes, our vehicles, and our own lives. But what about our pets? At Rowan Vets, we believe pet insurance is just as important, and a wise investment.

When pets become ill or have a life-changing accident, pet owners are faced with the prospect of having to decide whether they can afford the best treatment option for their pet.

Referrals to a specialist, investigations, and treatments at a referral centre, may cost several thousand pounds, but could be vital to healing your pet, or indeed saving their life. Download our leaflet “The Importance of Pet Insurance” for further information.

Contact us about pet insurance claims

 

Direct claims

We do direct claims with many providers. Please do get in touch with our friendly Client Care team if you need to make a claim, and to check the companies we use.  Direct claims with those companies we do work with, have qualifying conditions.  Please speak to the team for further information.

Types of pet insurance

Rowan Vets wholeheartedly supports the idea of pet insurance. As a veterinary practice we are unable to recommend any one individual insurance company but we can advise on the different types of policies to look out for.

Lifetime/Lifelong Cover (for as long as you renew):

• Usually include a maximum amount you can claim on each condition per year and the pot refills every time you renew.
• Receive ongoing cover for long-term conditions such as arthritis, heart/kidney problems, and skin disease.
• Benefit limits may be ‘per condition’ or an annual amount for all conditions.

Maximum Benefit Policies (Individual Condition Cover):

• Claim a maximum amount for each condition without a time limit.
• The condition will be excluded once the maximum limit has been reached.

12 month/Annual Policies:

• Cover a condition for 12 months from the point when it started.
• After 12 months the condition will be excluded – even if no treatment has been given.
• Financial limits will also apply.

Accident Only Cover:

• Cover your pet for accidents.
• Does not include cover for any type of illness.

 

Pet insurance benefits

If your pet becomes ill or gets injured, pet insurance mainly provides cover for veterinary fees. However, other benefits may include:

• Third party liability cover if your pet injures someone or damages someone else’s property.
• Paying you the price you paid for your pet if they become lost, stolen, or die as a result of injury or illness.
• Paying the costs of looking after your pet if you have to go into hospital for emergency medical treatment.
• Paying the cost of your holiday if it’s cancelled due to your pet needing emergency surgery close to the date you were due to leave.
• Paying the cost of emergency veterinary treatment for your pet if you take them abroad under the Pet Travel Scheme.
• Paying for treatments such as physiotherapy and other supportive therapies.

 

Considerations when choosing pet insurance

• The excess amount (typically £50 – £200 per condition) i.e. the amount you must pay before the insurer becomes liable for any costs.
• Are any heredity and congenital conditions that are common in your breed of cat or dog excluded from the policy?
• How much cover do you want? The amount of cover can increase or decrease your monthly payments, so will depend on your financial circumstances. Medical investigations and surgical procedures at referral centres can typically carry a cost of over £3,000.
• Does the policy include third-party cover in case your pet is involved in a road traffic accident? In this case, you as the owner may be liable for costs involving vehicle repairs or injury to the driver.
• It is important to choose the insurance provider carefully as the policy could be in place for all of your pet’s life. If you change your insurer, a new insurer will NOT COVER any conditions that arose prior to the onset of their cover.
• Make sure to read the insurance policy documents thoroughly to see what they do and don’t cover.

 

Contact us about pet insurance claims