dog and puppy insurance - policy information

If you have a pet dog, they may need more insurance cover than other animals.Vet treatment for dogs can cost more than for other household pets, so work out what cover your dog needs before you find a policy.

Why you need dog insurance

From the trauma of seeing your dog in a poor state to the potentially eye-watering cost of treatment, having a dog that is ill or injured can be extremely stressful. There’s no free health service for dogs, and a broken leg can set you back as much as $1,200.

You can cover the cost without breaking the bank by having a pet insurance policy in place. Given that some breeds are susceptible to conditions that can cost a small fortune, this form of cover can prove to be invaluable.

Types of dog insurance policies

There are various types of dog insurance policies on offer. As a first step, consider the amount of cover you’re likely to need, and compare policies to see what’s on offer. If you have a dog that you know is prone to health problems, you’ll want to opt for a policy that will cover their needs.

Lifetime cover

These tend to be the most comprehensive types of policy, as they pay out for conditions over the dog’s lifetime. This will cover for long-standing and recurring illnesses, so if you know your dog is at risk of developing one, this could be the right policy for you.

Per condition per year lifetime cover

This provides a maximum cover limit per condition, which resets each year. You can claim for more than one condition per year – which covers your dog for a particular amount for each illness.

Annual cover

This provides a maximum overall cover limit each year. This can be less expensive and cover short-term accidents and illnesses.

Why is dog insurance so important

With vet bills on the rise, owning a dog can be a significant financial burden, as you risk the shock of unexpected bills without cover in place. This can mean a heart-breaking choice if you can’t afford treatment, as either you need to cough up the fees, or – in the worst-case scenario – have your dog put down.

This is where pet insurance comes in. By finding a suitable policy you can make sure you’re covered so you don’t need to worry. Even if you do have spare cash to hand, taking out pet insurance can prove cheaper than coughing up the cash for a bill.

How much is dog insurance

The size of your annual insurance premium will vary depending on a couple of different factors, including:

The type of policy you buy
Your pet’s age and health
Whether it’s a pedigree

You can pay as little as £35-£40 per month for a basic policy, but a comprehensive, top quality policy is likely to cost more, with monthly premiums of £50 not unheard of.

Does breed affect annual premiums

The breed of your dog can affect your insurance quote. That’s because some breeds are more prone to illnesses, and pedigree dogs are often more expensive to insure than hybrid or mixed-breed dogs. Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Boxers are amongst the most expensive breeds to insure, since they’re amongst the most likely breeds to develop breed-specific health problems.

Smaller breeds like Cockerpoos, Jack Russells and Shih Tzus demand much lower premiums, primarily because they’re relatively resilient breeds of dog.

Compare dog insurance with Moneysupermarket

The type of policy that’s right for you will depend on what breed of dog you have, along with their age and other factors - and the price you’re happy to pay.

It’s important to compare dog insurance quotes to see what different insurers have to offer. You can avoid paying more than you need, although it’s not always worth opting for cheap pet insurance for dogs. You need to make sure you’re not under-insured, risking you being unable to meet vet bills to get your canine friend on the road to recovery.

dog insurance exclsions

There are some things that pet insurers won’t cover your canine companions for. Some of these general exclusions may include

Any dog that should be listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act
Working dogs
Pre-existing conditions
Puppies under eight weeks old
Some general treatments, such as worming and flea control

Also, insurers may not pay out or cover certain illnesses or ailments. For example, under some policies a routine spay won’t be covered, so be sure to check the wording carefully so you know where you stand

Aside from covering vet bills, insurance for your dog also includes other benefits. These may include personal liability cover, so in the event of your dog causing an accident and the victim suing, you won’t be liable for the cost