| In 2006, the UK census revealed that there were | | | | people's property caused by your pet. If this is |
| 10.3 million cats and 10.5 million dogs in Britain's | | | | not included in the policy, adding it onto your |
| homes. That means approximately 26% of | | | | cover may only cost you an extra few pounds a |
| households owned a cat and 31% owned a dog. It | | | | month, but could save you a lot of money in the |
| is no surprise then, that pet insurance has | | | | long run. |
| become a thriving business, with more insurance | | | | Emergency boarding and kennel cover |
| companies offering pet cover policies to reduce | | | | It's not just pets that fall ill. Owners can suffer |
| the cost of vet's bills. When you consider that | | | | the same problems, and in that event it may be |
| even simple surgery for a dog injured in a road | | | | necessary to have your pet put into boarding |
| accident can cost nearly £1,000 many pet | | | | kennels or a cattery for the duration of your |
| owners without insurance are left with the | | | | stay in hospital. This is often an optional extra, but |
| heartbreaking choice between watching an animal | | | | is particularly useful for elderly pet owners who |
| they love suffer and potentially being pushed into | | | | statistically have a higher probability of being |
| debt because of the costs involved. So the | | | | hospitalised at some point. However, emergency |
| obvious solution is pet insurance. For just a few | | | | boarding and kennel cover does have set |
| pounds a month, you can make sure your pet is | | | | conditions, and you may not be eligible for this |
| covered in the same way you would take out | | | | cover if the hospitalisation is the result of a |
| personal accident or medical cover for a member | | | | pre-existing condition before the cover was taken |
| of your family. So what should your pet insurance | | | | out. |
| policy cover? | | | | Other extras |
| Vet's Fees | | | | Pet insurance can also cover a range of other |
| The main reason for taking out pet insurance is to | | | | eventualities, such as advertising and reward |
| cover vet's fees. This should cover all reasonable | | | | costs should your pet go missing or be stolen. |
| and customary costs for treatment of your pet | | | | This can help cover the cost of putting up flyers |
| by a vet over the course of the year. But as | | | | or advertising in your local paper and can even |
| with all insurance policies, you must check the | | | | cover the cost of replacing the pet up to a |
| exclusions (areas the policy does not cover). | | | | certain amount. If your vet recommends that |
| These can range from costs resulting from | | | | another vet treat your animal, some cover does |
| pre-existing medical conditions or those that | | | | include overnight transportation and board to |
| develop within the first few weeks of the start | | | | cover the costs of getting your animal to another |
| of your policy. It may also exclude costs resulting | | | | vet. Pet insurance can also cover travel and |
| from vaccinations, spaying or neutering and | | | | accommodation expenses if you have to cancel |
| pregnancy, as well as any illness that your pet | | | | or cut short your holiday because your pet has |
| should have been vaccinated against. So it is | | | | gone missing or is injured. |
| important to make sure that your pet has had all | | | | With a wide selection of companies offering pet |
| their vaccinations and does not have any | | | | insurance, your best bet to ensure you get a |
| pre-existing medical condition before you take out | | | | good deal at the right price is to use a comparison |
| the policy. A quick check up may be a wise | | | | site. This will give you an at a glance guide to the |
| precaution so that you can give your insurance | | | | types of pet insurance available, what they do |
| company accurate information about the general | | | | and don't include and if there are any optional |
| health of your pet. | | | | extras that may cover unexpected situations that |
| Third party liability | | | | could mean expensive vet's bills or kennel costs. |
| Although pet insurance is mainly taken out to | | | | Be aware though, that many insurance providers |
| cover the costs of vet's bills, it can also protect | | | | will not cover 'rescue' animals because their |
| you against third party claims. This means that if | | | | medical history is unknown, so if you do have a |
| someone is injured or even killed as a result of | | | | rescue dog or cat, it may be worth contacting a |
| the actions of your pet (for example, your dog | | | | provider direct to find out if they do offer cover |
| running out into the road and causing an accident), | | | | to rescue animals. Unusual or exotic pets may |
| then you have insurance against any subsequent | | | | also be excluded from general pet insurance |
| claims that may be made. Third party liability also | | | | policies, so check your comparison site to find an |
| protects you against claims for damage to other | | | | insurer that does offer cover for your animal. |