Dog Insurance

If you have a canine companion, you will know that they are not always the most cautious or careful of beasts. You can’t expect a dog to always do the sensible thing, nor expect them to keep their nose clean and out of trouble.

Dog’s have a habit of sniffing out things that are not good for them, and no matter how careful a dog owner you are, they can easily end up with a nasty bug – or worse yet, have an accident of some kind.

Even if your dog is a real lap dog, rarely getting into any mischief, he or she can still end up getting sick. Dog’s can become ill, just as we can. You want to make sure that you are able to take care of things for your best furry friend if something bad should happen. That is why dog insurance is so important.

Money Pug is here to help. Using our handy and easy to use comparison service, you can compare prices on dog insurance from a range of different providers, check out the different policy options, and discover the solution that is perfect for your needs and budget.

Why Do I Need Dog Insurance?

You know your dog. You know where that nose of theirs can lead them, and how little caution they display. You know that life is not always a song and that things can go wrong, no matter how careful or caring you are. You may always give them the gourmet food and treat your dog like a canine king or queen, but a responsible dog owner knows that they also need to be able to take care of things such as illness or broken bones should the need arise. Dog insurance is more than just peace of mind. It can make the difference between being able to save your best friend, and not being able to. It really is as stark as that.

If you have been lucky as a dog owner thus far, you may not be aware of just how high vets bills can be. A broken leg, for example, could set you back as much as £1200, and should your dog come down with a serious longer term illness, the cost could be impossible for most people to meet without extreme hardship. Unless you are the type of person who has thousands of pounds spare cash just lying around – dog insurance is an absolute necessity.

What Type of Dog Insurance is Available?

There are various different types of dog insurance that you can get. Money Pug can help you to compare the options and find the one that is right for you. A great first step is to think about how much cover you and your puppy pal will require and to compare policies to see which one is right. The various options tend to fall into the following categories:

  • Lifetime Cover:

These types of dog insurance policies are the most comprehensive. These cover your dog for their whole lifetime, and include cover for long-standing and recurring illnesses. So if you believe or know that your pet is at risk of developing such a problem then one of these policies will likely be the best option for you.

  • Per Condition Per Year Lifetime Cover:

This type of dog insurance policy provides cover up to a maximum limit per condition, an amount which resets each year. You can claim for more than one condition each year, up to the agreed upon limit for each specific illness or condition.

  • Annual Cover:

Annual cover tends to be the most affordable option. Policies of this type provide an annual limit for cover each year, which covers your canine for short-term accidents and illnesses.

What Affects the Cost of Dog Insurance?

The amount you will have to spend on dog insurance will depend on a number of factors, including:

  • The type of policy you plump for.
  • The age and health status of your pet.
  • Whether or not your dog is a pedigree.

You can pay as little as £35-£40 a month for a basic policy but top quality, comprehensive cover is likely to cost more, and generally speaking, you will get what you pay for.

Does the Breed of Your Dog Make A Difference to the Cost?

Yes. The breed of your dog will have a bearing on how much you have to pay for dog insurance. This is because some breeds are more prone to certain illnesses, and are generally less robust than others. Pedigree dogs often have certain undesirable traits bred in which have them more likely to have problems, so pedigree dogs tend to be more expensive to insure than hybrid breeds or mongrel mutts. Bulldogs, French bulldogs and Boxers are amongst the most expensive dogs to insure because they are some of the breeds that are most likely to develop specific health problems.

Does Where You Live Make A Difference To The Cost?

Yes. Surprisingly where you live can also have a huge bearing on how much you have to pay for your dog insurance. The prices vary depending on where you live in the UK. Londoners have to pay the highest annual premiums – an average annual premium of £429, while in the North West, you will pay around £294, £278 is the average cost in Scotland, while in Wales it is just £268, and in Northern Ireland, only £259.

What Are Typical Exclusions on a Dog Insurance Policy?

Typical exclusions on most dog insurance policies are:

  • Dogs that count as ‘dangerous dogs’ under the 1991/7 Dangerous Dogs Act.
  • Dogs that are ‘working dogs’.
  • Dogs with pre-existing medical conditions.
  • Puppies under 8 weeks of age.
  • Most policies also exclude routine general treatments such as worming and flea treatment.

When choosing a policy, it is always important to check the small print. Other exclusions may apply. For example, some policies will not cover a routine spay or castration.

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