Before you ask for a pet insurance quote, make sure you know exactly what the policy will cover.
Pet health insurance policies are usually offered with varying degrees of cover and are costed accordingly and many insurance companies will allow you to tailor the cover to suit your specific needs.
The higher level of insurance cover your pet insurance quote offers, the more expensive the policy is likely to be.
A cheaper policy may not offer you the cover you need, so don't be tempted by a cheaper price.
Pet insurance quotes will differ between insurers depending upon what's offered, so it's advisable to ensure you understand exactly what your Cocker Spaiel is covered for before choosing a policy.
- Restriction on visits:
Are you restricted to the number of visits you can make to the vets?- Payout capped:
Should you need to make a claim, is there a cap on annual or monthly payouts?
- Cap on cover:
Is there a cap on cover for certain categories of illness, such as arthritis or diabetes?
- Emergencies Only:
Does the policy cover emergency treatment only?
- Varying levels of cover:
Is the dog health insurance offered at different levels of cover and, if so, what are they?
- Tailor to suit:
Can the pet insurance quote be tailored to suit your specific needs?
- Theft or loss:
Is theft, or the loss of your pet covered? What is the benefit? Do they assist with the cost and distribution of leaflets in the case of a lost pet?
- Preventative health:
Do the insurers offer preventative health plans where, included in the cost of the pet insurance quote, your pet has regular check ups with the veterinary nurse who offers general advice about the health and wellbeing of your pet?
- Surgery:
What type of surgery will the insurance cover? Are there any restrictions on certain types of surgery?
- Hospital stays:
Will it cover hospital stays for your pet?
- Routine visits:
Are routine visits to the vet, and subsequent treatment, covered?
- Prescriptions:
Does the policy cover prescriptions?
- Choice of vets:
Does the policy restrict your choice of vets, or are you limited only to vets approved by them?
- Your own vet:
Is your own vet covered?
- Vet referral:
Pet health insurance companies may also cover certain costs incurred in circumstances where your pet is injured, or shows the first clinical signs of an illness, and your usual vet recommends another vet treats your dog, for example, additional travel costs.
- Holiday cancellation or return home:
Are you compensated if you're forced to cancel your holiday, or return home, because your pet is ill and needs to be hospitalised? If so, we recommend you check the conditions.
- Quarantine costs:
Check that the pet insurance quote includes quarantine and other costs incurred in obtaining a new health certificate for your dog, should his microchip fail.
- Quarantine kennel costs:
Are quarantine kennelling costs paid should your dog have to be put into quarantine due to illness whilst abroad?
- Loss of health certificate:
Is loss of health certificate covered? If it is accidently destroyed will the insurance comany contribute towards the cost of replacement?
- Missed departure:
Are you covered if you miss your scheduled departure, owing, for example, to your pet needing emergency treatment whilst abroad; losing your pet whilst abroad; or needing repeat tick and worm treatment because the pet certificate was lost or destroyed?
- Owner hospitalised:
Does your policy cover the cost of kennel fees if you are hospitalised and cannot care for your pet?
- Lifetime Insurance:
Does the insurance company offer 'lifetime insurance' (see explanation below) for your pet?
- Accidental damage:
If your dog accidently damages personal property belonging to someone other than you or your family, are you covered?
- Excesses:
Are there any excesses? Some insurers expect you to pay, for example, the first 20% of costs, depending upon the level of policy taken.
- Death benefit:
Is there a death benefit, whether caused by illness or injury, and if so, what is it?
