Your pet insurance questions answered
Article Source: HealthSnare.com
Own a pet and want to know more about pet insurance? Well, we've put together some of the most common questions you may have.
What does pet insurance cover?
There are a lot of expenses that come with owning a pet. But pet insurance will only cover you for unexpected costs, such as vet bills. Your policy is not going to pay out for routine items such as vaccinations or neutering.
Pet insurance should also cover you for legal costs associated with your pet - so if your dog bites someone, for example, or your cat runs into the road and causes an accident - your bill for legal advice or representation should be taken care of as well.
How much does medical treatment cost?
The rising cost of treatment by a vet means that pet insurance is becoming more and more valuable - although premiums are becoming more expensive for the same reason.
When you look at the potential bills for basic treatment, you can see why so many pet owners think insurance is a good idea.
An x-ray can cost more than £150, and an overnight stay at a vet's could set you back between £300 and £400. An MRI scan can easily set you back around £1,000.
Having insurance in place could mean the difference between being able to afford only the most basic treatment for your pet and the very best care available.
What types of cover are there?
The simplest type of policy will cover your pet for a fixed period, typically 12 months. In most cases, such policies will only pay out for treatment deemed necessary during that period - any further attention needed after the policy expires may not be covered, even though the accident occurred, or illness began, while the cover was in effect.
A second type of policy will pay only a fixed sum per condition or type of treatment.
Because in both these policies the insurer's liability is limited so premiums are lower.
For more comprehensive cover, however, consider a lifetime policy: restrictions on payments should be much less onerous, and the premium will come up for renewal on an annual basis.
What extras are available?
Policies may offer additional cover, provided you pay higher premiums. Some insurers, for example, will pay for your animal to be looked after if you have to go into hospital. Others will cover holiday cancellation that results from a pet being ill or injured.
Further extras include payments to advertise a lost pet and provide a reward for finding it; and your insurer may also extend your cover overseas if your pet is allowed to travel abroad.
In many cases, you may be able to reduce the size of your premiums by opting out of these extras.
What should I watch for?
If your pet has a pre-existing medical condition, it could be excluded from any new policy you sign up for.
Also check the excess attached to your pet insurance policy: the size of your premiums can be reduced if you agree to pay a higher proportion of any claim - for example the first £100.
What determines the price of pet insurance?
The price of your policy will depend on the extent of cover you buy - for example how long the insurance runs for, and whether payments are limited in any way - as well as the type of pet you have, and how old it is.
Premiums for pedigree animals are likely to be higher as they cost more to replace and are more liable to be stolen. And older pets will be more expensive to insure - and some companies will refuse to insure certain animals past specific ages.
You could also face higher costs if you live in a city, where vet bills are generally more expensive.
How do I find the best policy?
As with all types of insurance, the way to get the best deal is to compare pet insurance policies. But bear in mind that cheapest is not necessarily best: once you've found a good price, check the policy's small print to make sure you're not missing out on any elements of cover that you consider important.
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Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2010 Time: 4:05 PM
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