Pet Insurance Immediate Cover That Puts Your Mind At Ease

Pets are officially good for your health. Studies have found that owning a pet can help to reduce stress by encouraging production of the ‘love’ hormone oxytocin and by decreasing the production of cortisol – the stress hormone. But if your faithful companion becomes ill, that calming effect can instantly turn to worry. And the cost of vet’s bills can send financial stress levels through the roof.

Comprehensive pet insurance with immediate cover is one way to instantly put your mind at ease that if the worst does happen, you won’t be hit with any unforeseen bills.

Is pet insurance worth it?

The average claim on pet insurance is £757 according to the Association of British Insurers. £1.8million is paid out to pet owners every day, including £3,400 to the owner of a Springer Spaniel who fell ill after swallowing a grass seed!

Pet insurance isn’t a legal requirement but it is designed to reduce the financial risks of pet ownership. To decide if pet insurance is worth it, you need to consider the potential costs of treatment if your pet is injured or becomes ill. Then decide if you could afford to pay these vet bills as a lump sum if needed.

Average costs of some of the most common vet treatments:

• Joint problems: £452.92
• Growths/tumours: £433.57
• Fractures: £809.94

Please note these are the average costs, and individual costs for treatments can run much higher, into the £thousands.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that the costs of treating your pet if it falls ill or has an accident are likely to increase. A report last year found that vets bills were rising by an average of 12% each year.

How does pet insurance work?

When you take out pet insurance with Easy2Insure you can pay either annually or monthly into a plan that will cover any veterinary treatment that your pet might need. We can arrange different types of insurance to suit your needs and budget.

What type of pet insurance is right for me and my pet?

There are four main types of pet insurance cover:

• Accident only
• Per condition with a time limit
• Per condition no time limit
• Lifetime cover

Accident only is the most basic form of cover. This will pay for your vet bills if your pet suffers an accident. It does not pay out for any illnesses. Some policies may limit the amount of time that treatment can be administered or might have a maximum amount – speak to your broker to be clear exactly what level of cover you have got.

Per condition with a time limit is the next level of cover up. This type of insurance will pay vets bills for treatment for any accident or new illness that your pet suffers. But it will only pay out for a limited length of time and there may be a maximum amount that it will pay out. For example, this cover may set a time limit of 12 months of treatment and £3,000 of bills. If your pet requires treatment that costs more than £3,000 or lasts for longer than 12 months you will have to pay for the additional costs.

Per condition with no time limit is the upper middle level of pet insurance cover. This type of pet insurance will pay out if your pet has an accident or suffers a new illness. There will be no time restriction on the length of treatment that can be paid for, but you will have a set maximum fee that will be paid out. This set maximum fee can be adjusted according to your budget, so discuss the costs with your broker.

Lifetime cover is the most comprehensive pet insurance you can take out, and also the most expensive. It will cover your pet for treatment for any accident or new illness but may set a maximum amount that it will pay out each year. There are other add-ons you could consider too, such as dental expenses cover or financial compensation if your pet dies or is stolen.

What else should I consider when thinking about pet insurance?

Most dogs are well behaved, but some can be unpredictable and may bite other animals or humans. Or sometimes animals can stray onto the road and cause a traffic accident. If your pet does this, you could face a legal claim being brought against you. For peace of mind, look for a pet insurance policy that includes legal expenses. From dog bites to being knocked over by a dog with a stick, if someone makes a claim against you for injury or damage caused by your pet you’ll be financially covered.

What is not covered by pet insurance?

Most policies won’t cover animals with a pre-existing illness. If they will cover your pet, they are likely to be expensive. Pet insurance also won’t normally cover pregnancy or birth or routine or preventative treatment, such as spaying, neutering or vaccinations.

Best ways to reduce the cost of pet insurance

Pet insurance can be expensive, but there are some ways that you can help to reduce your premiums without compromising on your cover:

• Get your pet neutered or spayed – this can reduce the cost of your premiums
• Get it micro chipped – some insurers offer discounts for pets that are micro-chipped
• Increase the excess on your policy – most insurance policies have a minimum excess of £50 that you must pay if you make a claim. By opting for an additional voluntary excess you can often help to reduce your premiums.
• Shop around for the best price, or use a specialist, independent broker to do the legwork for you – insurance companies calculate risk, and the cost of your premium, differently. That means there can often be large differences between identical policies. Call up several pet insurance companies to be sure that the price that you are getting is the best value or, if you don’t have time, ask Easy2Insure to do this for you.

Contact our pet insurance experts to get cover you and your pet can count on

Pet insurance with immediate cover can put your mind at rest that you can do whatever it takes to help your precious pet pull through an illness or injury. At Easy2Insure our pet insurance experts can help you to find the right level of cover for your pet at the best price. Part of the trusted Park Insurance group, we have over 30 years of experience helping customers to find great value insurance with no nasty surprises in the small print.

Call us for free on 0800 917 9522 and let us find you the best pet insurance quote that is right for you, your pet and your budget.