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For most pet owners, their cats and dogs truly are part of the family which is why many choose to take out pet insurance to help safeguard their future.

Here we look at pet insurance, how it works and who it is right for.

Do you need pet insurance?

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, treatments are now available for a range of pet illnesses and injuries. However, these treatments come at a cost, and as pets are a huge part of our lives many choose to take out pet insurance to help cover the expense of veterinary fees so they are not left with difficult decisions when their pet requires care.

The role that pet insurance can play was emphasised by statistics released by Sainsbury’s in November 2009. It reported that there has been a sharp rise in vet bill costs and this has coincided with a 45 per cent increase in the number of claims made for pedigree dogs with vet bills up to £7,500 covered. Not insuring your pet to save a few pounds each month could prove a false economy if a pet falls ill or is hurt in an accident.

So what does pet insurance cover?

Most pet insurance policies cover dogs and cats, although specialist insurance is available for other animals including rabbits and horses. Cover varies widely between providers but here are some of the features that may be included:

-         Vet fees: Most pet insurance policies place an annual limit on the amount you can claim towards veterinary fees, and there may also be single condition limits too. With some policies you may be able to get cover for behavioural conditions and even for the provision of a special diet.

-         Death by illness or accident: Some insurers cover the purchase price or market value of a pet if it dies in select circumstances, which is useful for owners who have invested heavily, such as for a pedigree dog.

-         Lifetime cover: You may be able to get ‘lifetime cover’ which covers the costs of ongoing treatments for conditions such as asthma or diabetes as long as you stay with the same insurer.

-         Third party liability: If your dog injures someone or damages their property you may be covered against liability for resultant costs. Cat owners are not liable as cats are considered ‘free spirits’.



-         Holiday cover: Some insurers will cover the costs of a cancelled trip if you need to cut it short and return home to attend to an ill pet.



-         Boarding fees: You may be able to get cover for the cost of boarding if you require emergency hospital treatment.



-         Missing pet cover: If your pet is lost or stolen some providers will pay towards the cost of advertising and even for a reward.

Is there anything to look out for?

Check the policy excess – this is the amount you will pay towards a claim. With some insurers it is possible to choose from a range of excess levels – setting the excess at a high level will reduce premiums. However, bear in mind that this is the amount you must pay towards a claim and so it should be set at a level you can comfortably afford.

Also pay attention to how long the cover lasts and whether there is a limit per condition.

How can you get an affordable deal?

Use a comparison website to get an overview of the market by comparing quotes from a range of companies. Make sure however, that you consider the level of cover that’s on offer, as well as the price, to ensure you’re getting value for money.

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