Pet Health Care - 5 Things To Consider When Insuring Your Pet

Pet insurance is a very important part of pet health care as it protects both your finances and your beloved pet. Here are some important factors to consider when purchasing your pet insurance.

1. Do your research as there are plenty of pet insurance providers out there. By going for a recommended insurance provider you are less likely to experience nasty surprises compared to going for the cheapest option. This could seriously affect the type of coverage you receive in the event of serious pet health care problems, so read the small print before you buy.

2. Another thing to consider is the probability of your pet developing conditions that will require medical care. Perhaps your dog's breed has genetic weaknesses that might affect your dog later in life, or maybe your cat was born with a condition that doesn't bother her now but might lead to related illnesses in the future. Check that the policy you intend to buy covers any of these potential conditions, and do let the insurer know about any previous or existing conditions. If you fail to provide that information there could be a hefty bill for you to pay out.

3. Check that the policy covers ongoing conditions such as diabetes or arthritis as some providers don't offer this as part of their insurance product. You may have to buy lifetime cover in order to secure coverage for this type of condition. There are many common ongoing conditions that pets can suffer from, so it is worth looking into in more detail.

4. Consider the age of your pet. Some insurance providers have age limits on their policies while others provide lifetime coverage. Common age limits for cats are 10 years while it's normally slightly less for dogs (8 years).

5. Ensure that you are aware of the maximum payout for single claims and total annual claims. There are large differences in policies so check that you get most value for your money.

There might be a few lucky pet owners who rarely need to take their pets to the vet, aside from the usual check ups, though most of us will have had some experience with pet health care issues such as ear infections, fractures and other serious illnesses that can't necessarily be foreseen. In the event of injury or accidents it is important to act preventatively and protect your pet in the best possible way.

For specialist information on a range of pet health care issues visit the Pet Health Information website. We offer a wide range of informational articles on pet health care information.