If your joints and bones are flexible and strong, they move freely. And that means life can be fun and cherished to the fullest. But for one in seven people, movement is hampered by a musculoskeletal problem: back pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, fracture, or sports trauma. Faced with such pain, you may be delighted to pay £ 4,000 for orthopedic surgery to make those painful joints more flexible. But would you be so willing to spend the same money on your Basset Hound pet?
Veterinary care has moved rapidly in the last ten years, and as pets age, they are increasingly prone to diseases that can be costly and time-consuming to treat. Take diabetes, for example. Diabetes is relatively common in dogs, and while it can be treated successfully, managing the condition is ongoing and expensive – one vet estimated that treatment typically costs around £ 2,500 per year. Eczema is another of the many conditions that require a prolonged period of treatment.
But just like with humans, your pet may need emergency treatment at any time. According to the research company Mintel, one in three pets makes an unplanned visit to the vet each year. Boxers and spaniels are susceptible to unreliable hearts, Labradors and golden retrievers are prone to progressive retinal atrophy, setters may have canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency and alsation, hip dysplasia. And then there are always scratches that our pets are very likely to be involved in. Your cat may have nine lives, but you may pay yourself nine vet bills! With a series of X-rays costing £ 400 and an MRI costing you £ 1,500, the case for insurance coverage becomes compelling.
Against this background, pet insurance is now the fastest growing form of insurance in the UK. Petwise, Petplan, Pet Protect, PDSA, E&L, Animal Friends, and Marks and Spencer are names on the market. In fact, the competition for your business is fierce with more than 60 insurers offering more than 220 different policies. With so many options, the task of choosing a policy becomes somewhat complicated.
So let’s try to keep things simple. Pet insurance is divided into three basic groups. The first way, and generally the cheapest, limits the claim per condition every 12 months, suitable for specific emergencies but not very good for diabetes! The second limits the total paid annually while the third limits the amount paid per condition.
Faced with all these options, what characteristics should you take into account? Here are 10 key questions to ask:
o Are claims subject to a maximum annual or “per condition” limit?
o If the insurance is limited “by condition”, what is the time limit?
o What is the excess per claim? Sometimes the excess will be a lump sum, sometimes a percentage of the cost, and more often a combination of both.
o Is there a limit on vet fees? If so, what is it?
o Find out if your pet is prone to inherited diseases and if the plan will cover them. For cats you will find information on hereditary conditions at http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/breeds/cats-breeds and for dogs you will get answers at http: //www.the-kennel- club .org.uk
o Is your dog covered for civil liability? Remember, if your dog causes injury or damage, you could be liable for the damage.
o Does pet insurance cover the cost of advertising and a reward for search engines in the event of loss or theft of your pet?
o If your pet undergoes urgent surgery shortly before the scheduled vacation date, will your pet insurance cover the cost of vacation cancellation?
o If admitted to the hospital, does the policy cover kennel or kennel fees? Some policies will pay after the owner has been in the hospital for a certain number of days.
o Does the plan make a payment when your pet dies? If so, how much?
How can you get answers to all of these questions? Surprisingly, veterinarians are not very knowledgeable. They usually have details of one or two plans in their waiting rooms, but they are rarely up to date with what is available on the market. Perhaps not surprising with all the developments in veterinary care to be aware of!
No, you have already found the best source of information: the Internet! Search for pet, dog or cat insurance and you will find all the information you need. It may take you an hour to complete your research and remember to take notes, but it will be worth it in the end.