Why you need dog insurance
From the trauma of seeing your dog in a poor state to the potentially eye-watering cost of treatment, having a dog that is ill or injured can be extremely stressful. There’s no free health service for dogs, and a broken leg can set you back as much as £1,200.
You can cover the cost without breaking the bank by having a pet insurance policy in place. Given that some breeds are susceptible to conditions that can cost a small fortune, this form of cover can prove to be invaluable.
Types of dog insurance policies
There are various types of dog insurance policies on offer. As a first step, consider the amount of cover you’re likely to need, and compare policies to see what’s on offer. If you have a dog that you know is prone to health problems, you’ll want to opt for a policy that will cover their needs.
Lifetime cover: These tend to be the most comprehensive types of policy, as they pay out for conditions over the dog’s lifetime. This will cover for long-standing and recurring illnesses, so if you know your dog is at risk of developing one, this could be the right policy for you.
Per condition per year lifetime cover: This provides a maximum cover limit per condition, which resets each year. You can claim for more than one condition per year – which covers your dog for a particular amount for each illness.
Annual cover: This provides a maximum overall cover limit each year. This can be less expensive and cover short-term accidents and illnesses.
Why is dog insurance so important?
With vet bills on the rise, owning a dog can be a significant financial burden, as you risk the shock of unexpected bills without cover in place. This can mean a heart-breaking choice if you can’t afford treatment, as either you need to cough up the fees, or – in the worst-case scenario – have your dog put down.
This is where pet insurance comes in. By finding a suitable policy you can make sure you’re covered so you don’t need to worry. Even if you do have spare cash to hand, taking out pet insurance can prove cheaper than coughing up the cash for a bill.
How much is dog insurance?
The size of your annual insurance premium will vary depending on a couple of different factors, including:
* The type of policy you buy
* Your pet’s age and health
* Whether it’s a pedigree
You can pay as little as £35-£40 per month for a basic policy, but a comprehensive, top quality policy is likely to cost more, with monthly premiums of £50 not unheard of.
Does breed affect annual premiums?
The breed of your dog can affect your insurance quote. That’s because some breeds are more prone to illnesses, and pedigree dogs are often more expensive to insure than hybrid or mixed-breed dogs. Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Boxers are amongst the most expensive breeds to insure, since they’re amongst the most likely breeds to develop breed-specific health problems.
Smaller breeds like Cockerpoos, Jack Russells and Shih Tzus demand much lower premiums, primarily because they’re relatively resilient breeds of dog.
source:https://www.moneysupermarket.com