Dogs are the most popular type of pet in the UK, with even more people owning them than cats. Although dogs can bring a lot of joy to your life, they are also quite an expense when you take their food, toys and vet visits into account. In the case of vet medical bills, it can be very expensive, especially if your dog needs an operation. This is why so many people choose to take out dog insurance.
Some of the benefits of dog insurance include:
- Peace of mind that your dog will get the best treatment
- Different types of cover to suit your budget
- Flexible payment options
- Quick and easy to get quotes online
A guide to dog insurance
If you have a young and healthy dog, then getting dog insurance might seem like an unnecessary expense. However the best time to get dog insurance at an affordable cost is when they’re still young. This is because younger dogs are generally less likely to need expensive operations or other types of medical care.
Taking out a dog insurance policy is a very easy process. All you have to do is answer some questions about yourself and your dog and you can easily compare quotes from different pet insurance providers.
Read below for more information on the different types of policies you can get as well as ways to save money when taking out a policy.
Did you know?
What types of dog insurance are there?
Below are the main types of dog insurance policies available:
- Annual dog insurance – As the name suggests, annual dog insurance will cover your dog for a period of 12 months from when the policy is taken out. The advantage to this type of cover is that it enables you to switch insurance providers more easily, which could save you money. However you may find that as your dog gets older, it’s harder to find cover at an affordable rate.
- Lifetime dog insurance – Lifetime dog insurance providers cover for the entirety of your dog’s life. Taking out lifetime dog insurance when your dog is still young is a good way to ensure you get cover for an affordable price. It’s worth noting that most lifetime dog insurance policies come with a limit to the amount you can claim in a single year.
- Per-condition insurance – This type of cover sets a limit on the maximum payout for any one condition for the duration of your policy.
- Accident only insurance – This is the cheapest type of dog insurance but is very limited in its scope as it will only cover accidents and nothing else. This means you’re not covered for any type of health conditions and you won’t be covered in the event that your dog goes missing or is stolen either.
- Time-limited insurance – This is similar to per-condition insurance as there is a limit per condition but also a time limit on each condition. This means that if a certain amount of time passes since your dog was first diagnosed with a health condition, it might be excluded.
What types of things aren’t covered by dog insurance?
Some of the things that are typically excluded on a dog insurance policy include:
- Neutering and spaying
- Vaccinations
- Claw-clipping and other types of grooming
- Pest treatments
How much does dog insurance cost?
The cost of a dog insurance policy will depend on a few key things. The mains one are:
- Age – The age of your dog will be one of the biggest factors that affects cost. The younger and healthier your dog is, the lower the cost of your policy.
- Breed – The breed of your dog is another important factor that insurance providers take into account. Some breeds are more susceptible to health problems than others and if you own such a dog, then you can expect to pay more.
- Type of policy – The more cover you have included in your policy, the more it will cost.
- Location – Where you live is another thing that insurance providers will consider. If you live in a high crime area, particularly one with dog theft, then this will certainly impact how much your cover costs.
Did you know?
Is is necessary to have dog insurance?
You’re not required by law to have dog insurance as a dog owner, however many dog owners consider the expense worth it since they’re covered in the event their dog needs medical care. By comparing quotes from different dog insurance providers, you should be able to find cover at an affordable rate, provided your dog isn’t too old.
What type of policy should I get?
This is something you’ll have to decide based on your budget and how likely you think it is that your dog will require medical care in the future. If accidents are your main concern and you don’t mind paying for regular medications or other associated costs of vet visits, then an accident only dog insurance policy would be a good fit.
If your dog is still young, in good health and not a breed that’s prone to health issues, then you should be able to get a lifetime policy for a reasonable price. A lifetime policy is beneficial since it will cover your dog for their entire life.
How to save money on dog insurance
Below are some great ways to save money on dog insurance:
- Get cover when your dog is young – The best way to save money when taking out dog insurance is to get it when your dog is still young. Typically this means under 5 years of age. Many people wait until their dog is older and developing health problems before they seek out cover but unfortunately this means it usually costs a lot more.
- Take your dog for regular vet visits – Another way to keep the cost of your insurance down is making sure your dog has regular wellness checks. This will help to detect any potential issues early on and stop them developing into something more serious.
- Increase the excess on your policy – Just like with any other type of insurance, you can lower the cost of dog insurance by increasing the excess on your policy. The excess simply means what you would pay towards a claim.
- Compare quotes – Finally, one of the best ways you can save money on dog insurance is by getting quotes from multiple insurance providers. By getting quotes from many different pet insurers, you can easily compare them and choose the one that offers the best value for money.
In summary: Buying dog insurance
Hopefully you’re now better informed about dog insurance and are confident of the type of policy you want to get. Although dog insurance can seem like an unwanted expense, you’ll be glad you have it if the time comes that your dog needs an operation or other type of medical care that would otherwise be very costly.
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Dog Insurance FAQs
Is dog insurance cheaper if my dog is microchipped?
This is not usually the case. Dog owners in the UK are now required by law to have their dog microchipped and if you don’t, your policy can actually be invalid if your dog goes missing or is stolen.
Are dental issues covered?
Dental issues that aren’t the direct result of an accident aren’t usually covered as standard. However you can have dental cover added as extra option on your policy.
How do I get the cheapest dog insurance?
To get dog insurance at the lowest price possible you should get cover when your dog is still very young. Generally the earlier you get it, the better. You should also get quotes from several different pet insurance providers to ensure you get the best price.