+ Why is pet insurance important?
We do not have the NHS support for ensuring the best care for our pets and in providing the best for our unwell pets, veterinary costs may mount up quickly. Whilst we do our best to support you with our wellness subscriptions, for serious conditions, many tests, treatments and use expertise outside of our clinic may be required, and these costs can get high.
+ How does pet insurance work?
Whilst each policy is unique to each pet, there are common processes. In general terms, following payment of an excess, the insurers will then fund veterinary fees up to an agreed amount as detailed in your policy.
Understanding the small print is key in any such document. There are common pitfalls to be aware of.
- Unlike car or home insurance, if a condition occurs, irrespective of a claim or not, this event may influence future cover.
- Insurance premiums are based on a compbination of probability of claiming, not just how often you actually claim. This means, as our pets get older, so the likelihood of a claim increases, and so you can expect insurance premiums and excess requirements will increase.
- Even with insurance cover you remain liable for the total bill of veterinary care. In some instances insurance companies refuse to pay the fees. To reduce this uncertainty, a pre-authorisation from the company can be obtained.
The best way to understand how to navigate insurance companies is to arrange a consultation and to discuss your needs with a vet in the team.
+ What conditions does it help with?
Any condition that costs above your excess is a potential benefit for a claim. For minor illnesses it is unlikely the cost of the examination, discussion and treatment will reach the excess. On the other hand for the larger events and longer term conditions, such as skin disease, an insurance policy will be very sensible to have in place. Book an appointment now for us to help you with understanding disease possibilities that may affect your insurance.
+ What conditions does insurance not cover?
In many cases insurance companies exclude certain things from the outset. You should always read the policy before committing but the most common exclusions include:
- Pre-existing illness or injury
- Routine and preventative treatment
- Pregnancy and giving birth
If you would like help in understanding your policy then we are more than happy to arrange a consultation to discuss your need.
