According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, owning a pet can lower one’s cholesterol levels, decrease blood pressure, help in the management of loneliness and depression, lower stress and increase fitness. Thus, other than having a little furry friend, owning a dog can improve your health and well-being. However, if you don’t take good care of your dog, it will get weak and sickly, and both of you will suffer. Other than feeding your pet well, spending quality time with him or her, and observing proper hygiene, you should also consider dog insurance. Below are six reasons why you should consider insurance for your pet.
Dog Insurance Can Cater For Medical Expenses
For a single vet visit, depending on the condition, could be quite expensive.
With pet insurance, you will have peace of mind knowing that medical costs will be catered for by your insurer, provided the condition is covered under your policy and your pet doesn’t have any conditions excluded due to any pre-existing conditions.
Having insurance to cover your pet’s medical expenses is important for five key reasons.
One:
Dogs are at risk of injuries and illnesses.
Dogs will eat pretty much anything and sleep anywhere.
They easily collect germs that could result in illnesses.
Additionally, since dogs are active creatures, they can get injured as they run and play.
Finally, pets do get chronic illnesses such as allergies, heart diseases, and diabetes.
Thus, even as you do your best to keep your house and pet clean, it can get injured or ill.
Two:
When you have insurance, you won’t compromise on the quality of care you give to your pet.
Most insurers will give you the freedom to choose a quality pet healthcare provider of your choice.
Three:
With pet insurance, you won’t have to run to your savings when a pet gets ill.
Medical expenses can get really high, draining your travel, retirement, or investment savings.
Four:
With insurance coverage, you won’t have to postpone healthcare for your pet.
Timely care is essential for the pet’s well-being and the health of your family.
An ill pet can infect your family members.
Timely care can also prolong the life of your pet.
Five:
You won’t have to apply for an emergency loan when medical bills get too high.
Dog Insurance Covers Damage
Another key reason to consider dog insurance is that it will be helpful when your dog causes damage to someone’s property.
As the dog owner, you are liable for all damage caused by your pet.
Thus, get coverage.
However, if your dog is always causing damage, you should talk to an expert.
Some destructive behavior can be rectified through training.
Insurance Covers Injuries Too
Dogs can bite strangers when they are frightened, when protecting their owners or when they are stressed out.
Dogs can also cause other injuries in addition to bites.
Just like with property damage, the injured individual can make a claim for compensation.
Some cases are settled out of court whereas others may proceed to trial. Insurance can cater for the legal expenses you will incur if the injured party decides to sue.
If you notice any dangerous behavior, talk to an expert and learn how to control your dog.
According to Gov.UK, when a dog is dangerously out of control, you can be sent to prison for up to six months and or get an unlimited fine.
For injuries caused by your dog, you can get a fine and or up to five years in prison, and for death, up to 14 years and or an unlimited fine.
Also, you may lose the privilege of owning a dog in the future.
Insurance Can Help With Missing Pets
Imagine bonding with a pet for years and waking up one day and realizing it is gone.
Losing a pet can be emotionally draining and trying to find it can drain your bank account.
With some dog insurance policies, you can get some money in order to help to find a missing pet.
Busting Dog Insurance Misconceptions
Many people shy away from dog insurance because of the big misconception that coverage is expensive.
The truth is, if you shop around you are bound to find something that works well for you.
Different providers have different costs associated with their cover, you can look at comparison sites and pick the option that fits in with your finances.
Of course, you may have a particular provider in mind.
That’s a great place to start as most will list their costs on their site.
Every Paw, for example, has a breakdown on their website for their coverage and the costs associated with that.
Everypaw is an insurance intermediary for dog insurance in the UK.
The website explores different cover types available for dog owners, covers eligibility, and exclusions and limitations.
Holiday Cancellation Benefit
Finally, with some dog insurance policies, you can be covered if you have to cancel your trip due to your dog’s illness.
Some insurers will also cover for cancellation as a result of a pet that goes missing.
Each insurer will have different terms for holiday cancellation benefits.
They mostly consider the type of the illness, when you booked the flight, and the treatment needed.
Final Thoughts:
The easiest way to find dog coverage is to do an online search, list a number of policies, and make comparisons.
Just like your medical or home insurance, make a note of what you will be and won’t be covered for, and check the policy limits too.
When making comparisons, make sure you check the cost per month.
Then compare the coverage for annual vet fees per year, limit per visit or condition, accidents, death, loss, hospitalization, and holiday cancellation.
Pay keen attention to the exclusions, limitations, and excesses.
Some pre-existing conditions may not be covered.
The same applies to cosmetic treatments and preventable conditions.
Once you have found the ideal coverage, read through the fine print properly before making the final decision.
And before you sign, do some research on the insurer’s reputation.
- Do they have good customer service?
- How have they handled past claims?
- Are their customers satisfied?
- How long have they been in business?