This is where pet insurance can help.
Annual premium amounts can be as low as $3,000, with a 70–90% reimbursement amount. The policy covers accidents, illnesses, behavioral health issues, and hereditary and congenital conditions. All pets can also have additional coverage on an itemized basis. ASPCA also offers two policies for horses:
Colic, accidents and illnesses Colic and accidents
Policyholders can visit any 24-hour licensed emergency animal hospital, and they can see specialists such as cardiologists and oncologists. Pets aged six and older have full accident and illness cover, with unlimited lifetime coverage. They are required to have a physical exam within the 30 days before purchasing the policy or within the first 15 days of the start of the policy. The plan does not cover the following items:
Fleas and parasites Grooming Vaccinations Spaying and neutering Dental care Heartworm and deworming
Policy starting prices vary, with deductibles ranging from $200 to $1,000.
Those who pay a higher premium can receive reimbursement up to 100%. All plans cover emergency care, hospitalization, cancer treatment, diagnostic testing and veterinary examinations.
All of their plans cover illness, accidents, emergency care, hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer treatment and behavioral conditions. There are also two additional wellness coverage plans that can be added. There are broad pricing options where pet owners can create affordable plans with basic coverage and low reimbursement, rarely going over $50 a month.
The Complete Coverage policy includes coverage for accidents and illnesses, including diabetes, dental issues, cancer, hereditary conditions and more. The Accident Only Coverage pays for accident-related injuries and treatment including ultrasounds, surgery, x-rays, exam fees, MRI scans and more. Customers can also purchase Preventative Care Coverage which covers wellness visits, dental cleanings and vaccines. Coverage starts at $138 per year with deductibles of $100, $250 or $500.
The Extra Plan – $3,000 in annual coverage The Classic Plan – $5,000 in annual coverage The Superior Plan – $10,000 in annual coverage The Champion Plan – $20,000 in annual coverage
All plans cover the same incidentals – illness, accidents and treatments, including surgeries, lab tests, exams, ultrasounds, medications and more. 24PetWatch will pay for additional costs up to $500 including trip cancellation, lost pet costs, boarding kennel fees and additional living expenses. Coverage begins at $340 per year with deductibles of $100 to $1,000.
The policy also covers issues such as coughing, vomiting, diarrhea and congenital conditions. It also covers recovery and complementary care at an extra cost. The policy has a lifetime per-condition deductible that is only paid if your pet develops a new condition. Once the deductible is paid, the policy pays out for anything related to that condition at 90% for the duration of your pet’s life.
Any animals that are considered venomous or endangered, and that are not listed on Nationwide’s website, are not eligible for coverage. Nationwide offers three pet insurance plans:
Major Medical – Covers standard medical costs for accidents and illnesses at a low cost Pet Wellness – Covers preventative care such as microchipping, fecal tests, deworming and more Whole Pet with Wellness – Provides 90% coverage for accidents and illness, prescriptions, vaccinations, surgeries and more
Monthly premiums begin at $18 for cats and $34 for dogs with annual deductibles of $250.
Total Coverage – Covers illnesses and accidents Accident – Only covers accidents
Both plans cover dogs and cats that are older than eight weeks. Plan costs depend on the breed and age of the pet, the type of coverage and where you live. The deductible can be $100, $250 or $500 per year. Reimbursement percentages can be 60%, 80% or 90%. Per-year limits are offered from $2,500 to the unlimited option.
Complete plan – Offers lifetime coverage of vet fees of £15,000, dental problems, accidents, lost or stolen costs, legal action against you and your animal, and death from accident or illness. Regular plan – Offers lifetime coverage of vet fees at £7,000, accident-only dental problems, as well as coverage for items listed in the Complete plan but at lesser amounts. Value plan – Covers vet fees at £3,000 as well as the same coverage as other plans at lower costs, but no coverage if your pet passes away from an accident or illness. Pre-Existing plan – Like the Regular plan but offers coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Waggel’s most basic coverage includes:
Emergency treatment abroad £1,000 limit on treatments such as dental work 24-hour help via phone or app Co-payments available for dogs over the age of eight and cats aged 10 and over
They have euthanasia coverage for when your animal is at the end of its life, as well as accident-only insurance to keep your premiums lower. Contracts can run from 12 months to a lifetime, with veterinary fee coverage of £3,000 and a starting price of £15 per month.
Petplan offers four levels of coverage:
Essential is time limited with a coverage limit of £3,000 Classic has lifetime coverage with a cover limit of £4,000. Classic+ has lifetime coverage with a cover limit of £7,000. Ultimate has lifetime coverage with a cover limit of £12,000.
Like many other carriers, Tesco provides four types of pet insurance:
Accident Only Time Limited Maximum Benefit Lifetime
Their coverage ranges from £3,000 up to £10,000, allowing holders to choose an excess of £60, £120 or £200 when purchased online. Online quotes provide customers with a 20% discount, but premiums increase in the second year by 25%.
Coverage begins at £6.85 per month up to £11.72 depending on your plan, with up to £8,000 coverage for veterinary fees.
If you take out pet insurance, you will pay a monthly premium. If your pet is ill or hurt, you pay the veterinarian and then submit a claim for reimbursement. Not all invoices may be covered and there are some ailments that pet insurance will not cover, including pre-existing conditions when you apply. You owe it to your beloved pet to get them the best help possible, and you want to be sure to pick the right plan to meet you and your pet’s needs.
Why Get Pet Insurance?
Owning a pet can be expensive if they become sick or are injured, especially if they are prone to illnesses. If you care for your pet, you want to take care of them as best you can. Knowing that you have some financial help can ease the burden of trying to decide whether to get the medicine or surgery they need. Ultimately, pet insurance can save you money if you choose wisely. If your plan has a small deductible, once you meet it, a certain percentage of your veterinary bills will be taken care of. Before deciding on the best insurance plan for you and your pet, it’s important to note that not all conditions are covered by insurance. Most plans will cover general illness and accidents, but most do not cover the following:
Grooming Checkups Dental issues Pre-existing problems Behaviour issues Preventative care Hip dysplasia
If your pet already has a medical issue, it will likely be harder to find insurance that will cover them, or it may be more costly, but can still save you some money. The best pet insurance plans provide solid coverage and good customer service while meeting the needs of their clients.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
Most insurance plans require owners to have their pets checked out before coverage begins. Owners must first pay their veterinary bill in full and then file a claim for reimbursement. Your claim will be looked over and you will receive the funds if approved. How much you are reimbursed depends on three things:
The deductible – This is the amount you must pay before you receive coverage and can go as high as $1,000. This can be per year or per incident. The reimbursement – After you have paid the deductible, you will receive payment for a percentage of the bill, most likely 50% to 100%. This is referred to as the ‘reimbursement’. Maximum amount – If you have an accident-prone or sickly pet, you should know that there is a maximum amount your insurer will pay each year. Extra charges will need to be covered by you.
Many plans allow for add-on coverage when needed, or extras you want such as alternative therapies or wellness plans. How much you end up spending on pet insurance premiums can depend on your pet, where you live and the type of coverage you have. It can also depend on the following factors:
Age – Younger pets are cheaper to insure, as they generally have fewer health issues. Breed – Larger pets can cost more to insure because they can have shorter life spans (for example, dogs) with more possible health issues. Species – Dogs cost more to insure than cats, and males tend to cost more than females. Location – Premiums can change depending on where you live, with city dwellers usually paying more.
Because there are so many different insurance plans, you can always opt for one that does not cost you much. But note that it may not cover as much when you need it. Pet owners can choose from a range of different policy types, so it is important to do your research and choose the option that is best suited to your needs. If you choose an accident-only policy, this only provides the minimum level of cover. This means that you will only be covered when your pet requires emergency treatment following an injury or accident. If you choose a lifetime pet insurance policy, you will be able to claim for any new health conditions (up to an agreed maximum claim ceiling). As a policyholder, you will be expected to pay an annual or monthly premium in exchange for insurance cover. You can choose from a range of different policy types to suit your pet and circumstances. An accident-only policy will provide cover for emergency treatment if your puppy is injured. Choosing a lifetime policy is the most comprehensive option for puppy insurance cover. In the UK, some of the leading companies in the pet insurance space are Bought By Many, Waggel, More Than and Petplan. When you buy a pet insurance policy, you can choose to pay either annually or monthly. Your policy will set out how much you will have to pay in the event of a claim. Pets can be curious, which means they might sustain an injury, cause injury or harm somebody else’s property. Without insurance, you could face having to pay a hefty bill. If your pet needs to have its teeth professionally cleaned, you will need to pay for this. The most affordable pet insurance policy is not always the best option, so you should always check that your chosen cover meets your pet’s needs. It is important to read through the terms and conditions of your policy before making a financial commitment. Just like us, pets can be ill or get injured at any time. They may also cause harm or damage to another person or their property, which could lead to expensive bills. Having pet insurance in place will help to provide you with peace of mind that you will be able to pay for any pet-related bills you might be required to pay in the future. It is important to do your research and choose a pet insurance plan that works for you and your pet. You may also need one that is flexible with add-ons as your pet matures, or if you have multiple animals. It is important to look at how much you will be paying into it and what you will be getting out of it to make sure it is worth your money. Any good pet insurance should suit both your needs and those of your pet, and have help available when you need it.
