Getting dog insurance for your beloved best friend can help you out of a very sticky and expensive situation. But aside from the costs, you can rest easy knowing you will have less of a burden at one of the worst times if your dog is hurt. Here are some things you need to know.
You Get Cover for Doggy Damage
Depending on your policy, you might be able to get third-party cover. This means you can claim for the recovery of any costs you have paid out if your dog damages something. Often, but not always, this also covers any costs incurred from a dog bite your pet might have done to somebody. However, this is often very dependent on the situation. So it's best to not expect a payout for this automatically. The claim you make for this goes towards the costs you might incur. These include medical expenses, legal costs, and damages made by a claimant.
An Epulis is Often Classed as Dental
An epulis is a non-cancerous tumor that can pop up all of a sudden. Some breeds, like Boxers, are more susceptible to these. As such, many insurers won't cover them as standard, if at all. This is because some of them class an epulis as preventable dental treatment. Although your dog can get one through no fault of yours or their own. So if you notice an epulis on your dog, be prepared to make a payment, which can be expensive. And once the work is complete, just be aware that you might not be able to recover the money you pay to a vet for this treatment.
Dog Insurance Isn't Expensive
Given the cost of living at the moment, you might put off getting insurance. However, this is a mistake that can cost you big. And it isn't as expensive as you think. For example, the average cost of insuring a dog in the UK is around £30 per month and $37.00 in USD. Yet it's likely you will pay much less than this. Yet even at the most expensive range, the cost of insurance more than offsets the costs you will incur if your dog needs expensive surgery, injures someone, or becomes very ill. For example, dental surgery alone can run into the thousands at a typical vet practice.
The Breed and Age Can Affect the Price
While you probably won't pay too much for your coverage, the cost of dog insurance can vary quite a bit. This is mostly because the health needs of different dog breeds are very different. Some breeds are more susceptible to certain illnesses than others. And this can increase costs. However, these are usually very specific, and your dog's cover will probably be lower than you think if it is in good health. However, you should also be aware that the age of your dog can also affect the cost. And many insurers have a maximum age range that they will allow on a policy.
You Can Claim When Your Dog Dies
Not all, but some insurers will allow you to claim for the sudden death of your dog. However, this is very dependent on the circumstances. For example, you probably won't be able to claim if your dog has been unwell, is old, or is predisposed to a specific illness. In a nutshell, the death of your dog has to be largely unexpected. Such as being run over by a vehicle, attacked by another dog, or even purposefully killed by someone. And to make a claim for reimbursement, you will have to provide evidence of the cost of your dog at the time you purchased them.
You Can Recover Costs when Your Dog Goes Missing
Hopefully, your dog never gets hurt or goes missing. But there is some help available if they do wander off or are stolen. When your dog goes missing, you will probably launch a campaign to find them. This often includes making posters and such. Your insurance holder might offer some respite in recovery of costs incurred when trying to ding your dog. Also the cost of a reward might also be included. So always check with your insurer. Although, the cost of the reward will probably be limited to a maximum. So, don't offer more than you can afford or get cover for.
Exclusions to Your Dog Insurance Policy
Having insurance for your dog is the right thing to do when it all comes down to it. However, you need to be aware that it isn't a free pass for every eventuality. And there are many exclusions to most policies. Typically, these include, but are not limited to, the following scenarios:
The waiting period from when your cover starts.
Any pre-existing medical conditions.
Costs of your dog giving birth to puppies.
Payouts if your dog is stolen.
Medical issues that occur on both sides of the body.
Preventable illnesses that are your responsibility.
Specific conditions your breed is predisposed to.
Dogs that have gone past a certain age.
Non-urgent or unnecessary procedures like nail clipping.
Other animal services such as kennel boarding.
These are some of the most common things that are not covered by your dog insurance. However, there are instances, such as higher rate cover, where you might be covered for something on this list. So make sure you understand your policy as provided by your insurer.
You Can Get Travel Cover
Traveling with your dog can be a great adventure. And the dogs love to get out and about. And the good news is that most pet insurance plans will cover your pet if it gets sick, is hurt, or needs veterinary care while you are traveling. However, you can also claim for money lost after paying for a holiday. Many insurers will also pay for lost travel and lodging costs if you have to cancel a trip because your pet gets sick and could die right before you leave. So it's always worth checking with your insurer if they will cover these costs before booking a holiday.
Not All Insurers Include Dental
Expensive treatments like an epulis aren't usually covered on your insurance policy. However, most pet insurance plans cover some dental care for your pet. In most cases, a few policies will only pay for dental care that is needed because of an accident, not because of illness. And those who do usually only cover your pet if it gets a once-a-year dental checkup. But it might be worth inquiring about dental cover. This is because some insurance providers will offer dental packages with an additional fee or as part of a more extensive dog insurance policy.
Each Insurer has a Variable Cover Range
Your dog insurance can be expensive or relatively cheap. This is because almost all dog insurance companies offer different packages that might suit you. For example, you could choose a policy that covers basic vet treatments. In this case, you probably won't need to pay too much. Or you could opt for a package that covers your dog for thousands worth of complex treatments and surgeries. Therefore, cover is largely variable across most insurers. And often you can always find one that offers the right cover at a reasonable price at the time.
Dog Insurance Can Cover Homeopathic Treatment
Sometimes extra treatments are needed for your dog's recovery. And just like people, this can extend to non-traditional treatments. If your vet recommends them, alternative treatments like homeopathy, acupuncture, and physiotherapy can be covered by your pet insurance. However, these are usually considered as a last resort or as part of a comprehensive treatment plan proven to yield positive results. You should be aware that if you decide to find these treatments for your dog by your own choice, you will not be able to make a claim from your provider.
Annual Injections Usually Aren't Covered
Of course, as a dog owner, you know the importance of your dog's annual vaccination injections. These protect against deadly illnesses like parvovirus. Therefore, they are absolutely essential. However, almost all policies don't provide cover for these since they are considered your responsibility. Fortunately, they don't cost too much. Also individual vet practices might also offer these as a complementary treatment if you also pay for a medical plan. Some vets offer medical plans as part of their business model, like private healthcare for your dog.
You Can Save a Lot of Money
Finally, if there's one thing you need to know about dog insurance, it's that it can and will save you a lot of money in the long run. With vet bills skyrocketing, like everything else, having insurance cover for your dog just makes financial sense. Otherwise, you could be left out of pocket or even have to use up savings and emergency money to pay for treatment. Of course, it's another monthly expense. But the savings you make are considerable when the time comes. So, in a nutshell, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Summary
There are numerous aspects, clauses, and policies to dog insurance. While every insurer offers different things, there are some commonalities. On the face of it, most insurers cover third-party issues, have the same exclusions, and help you save a considerable amount of money.
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