Owning a dog benefits our lives in so many ways, they can help us to keep fit and active, reduce our stress levels and can even help to improve our social lives.
Dogs contribute so much to our lives so here at Purely Pets we want to make sure that if your dog is unwell or injured that you’re able to provide them with the care that they need to ensure that your loved one makes a swift recovery.
As Pet Insurance specialists we’ve designed 15 cover levels to give you the freedom to choose the right level of cover for you and your dog. We also offer a 24 Hour Vet Helpline and a Manage My Policy portal giving you access to your policy 24hrs a day giving you greater flexibility to manage your policy at a time that suits you.
We also offer multi-pet policies for both cats and dogs allowing you to keep all of your pet insurance in one place.
According to the Association of British Insurers report the average cost of Pet Insurance in 2018 has gone down £2 from 2017 to £279, whilst the average claim has gone up by £36 to £793.
Depending on the type of cover you choose you can be covered for vets bills for accidents, illness, or both up to a fixed monetary amount. Many policies will give you added benefits such as cover for dentistry, loss of your dog, third party liability and overseas travel.
Choosing the right insurance for you and your dog can be hard as there are so many options available. Understanding the types available to you can help you navigate the market allowing you to find a cover that meets your needs at the right budget.
We may go to the doctors without even a thought to how much it costs, that’s the benefit of our NHS. But one of the first things that may cross your mind when your dog becomes ill is ‘How much is it going to cost?’ Imagine not having to worry about it and having the peace of mind that your dog is insured and you can just concentrate on getting them better.
Vets fees depend on a number of factors, for example where you live or the size of your dog. You could incur vets fees gradually if your dog develops an illness, or be faced with a large bill if your dog requires emergency treatment. Either way, where is this money coming from?
Most of us are prepared for the initial costs involved with getting a dog, for example vaccinations, neutering and microchipping, and we all hope for our dogs to live a healthy happy life.
But are we prepared for the what if’s? What if your dog gets diabetes? What if your dog breaks a leg? According to the Association of British Insurers 2018 the average claim for pet insurance is the highest it’s ever been at £793, this is where insurance can help provide you with peace of mind.
Dog insurance doesn’t normally cover you for any conditions that already exist before you purchase insurance so always check this if are looking to move to a new provider or if you are taking out insurance for the first time but your dog has pre-existing medical conditions.
There will also generally be an excess (a fixed amount that you contribute to any claim) or a co-payment excess (normally a percentage of the total claimed amount that you will contribute to any claim) on your policy that you will have to pay.
Other common exclusions are breeds listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, cover for elective, routine or cosmetic treatment and cover for illness or accidents within a specified waiting period.
So you have decided to get your dog insured, but now you are faced with a number of policies to choose from! Here is a guide to help you select the policy that is right for you. Accident Only: This type of policy does what it says on the tin. It will only provide cover for costs resulting from an accident.
Examples include car accident, being bitten, a fall or ingesting a foreign body. These policies are usually cheaper in monthly/annual costs, but bear in mind that if your dog becomes ill, this won’t be covered, and illnesses can cost just as much as accidents in vet fees.
Time Limited: There are policies that will provide cover for an accident or illness for a certain length of time, usually a 12 month period from the first date the condition started. There will also be a monetary limit on these policies, so it will be a case of whichever is reached first, the time limit or the monetary limit, as to how much cover is provided.
Bear in mind that if your dog gets a lifelong condition such as diabetes or arthritis, you will only be able to claim the first 12 months of treatment. Thereafter the condition will become excluded.
Maximum Benefit: This policy offers cover for illnesses and accidents up to a specific amount of money. Once this monetary limit has been reached, the condition will no longer be covered.
Lifetime: These policies offer cover for accidents and illnesses for the dog’s lifetime. This is dependent upon you renewing the policy each year and keeping up to date with premiums. These are usually the most expensive policies, because they provide the most comprehensive cover. There will be a monetary limit per condition per policy year, or one pot of money per policy year that will cover all accidents/illnesses.
When choosing a policy, it is important to bear in mind the average costs of vet fees for different injuries/illnesses. According to the 2018 report from the Association of British Insures the average claim for pet insurance has reached an all-time high at £793.
Purely Pets Insurance can provide you with an online quote for your dog in minutes . With a range of lifetime options available offering vets fees cover from £1,000-£15,000 and the option to choose your excess we can help you find the right cover for you and your dog as a price that suits you. We also have a specialist Pet Insurance team that you can call to get a quote or discuss your options in more detail.
