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Pet Insurance

Pet Insurance necessary?

Always think about how much your pets will cost you, the likely impact of vets' fees and how you'd react if they got ill (let's be clinical, this means will you pay medical fees or have them put down?) Vets' fees are rising, so be aware of the real potential costs. Fixing a cat's broken leg, for example, can cost £825. Surgery for a dog that has eaten something dangerous can cost £1,500.

Always tell the truth!

When applying for a policy be sure to disclose all your pet's medical history. This might push up premiums in the short term, but will save money in the long term, as providers won't pay up if they suspect that the problem already existed. Most providers exclude pre-existing conditions, so if your pet develops a condition, you're stuck with that policy, as other plans won't cover it – not without a huge rise in cost anyway.

Check pay-out limits

Some insurers limit the amount they pay out each year. Others have a limit for each condition. Policies with a yearly limit are a safer bet; they will pay out for the lifetime of furry friend's condition, provided it does not exceed the limit each year. With per-condition limits, if your pet develops an ongoing illness, such as diabetes, they could quickly stop paying for treatment. Also check whether there is a time limit on how long you can claim for one treatment (some policies only pay out for the first year of illness).

Excesses

If you are willing to fork out, changing the excess level (the amount you pay of any claim) cuts the cost. Though beware of policies where you must pay a share of any claim, usually about 10%, rather than a fixed limit e.g. £200. If your pet gets seriously ill this can be very costly.

To decide on your excess consider ‘how much would it cost before I claimed?' Getting a £50 excess if you wouldn't bother claiming for less than £200 is pointless.

Other considerations

You know your situation better than the insurer, so think about which of the following you are likely to claim on: cost of advertising and reward if your pet is lost or stolen; third party injury; cost of a holiday if you have to cancel to care for your pet; kennelling costs if you are hospitalised.

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Cat: cats, dogs

10% discount for mulitple pets

Age Limits: from 8 weeks - to - no max age limit

Cover: up to £6,500 annually (Platinum cover)

In their own words:

Peace of mind for cat and dog owners. Get the Aviva deal

- No maximum pet age limit – we can insure dogs and cats for vet fees from the age of 8 weeks onwards^*

- Vet fees for illness and injury are covered up to £6,500 per year (Platinum cover only)

- Third party liability up to £1 million for dogs

- Up to £1,000 boarding kennel or cattery fees covered if you have to go into hospital for 48 hours or longer (Platinum cover only)

- Includes up to 6 months cover whilst you and your pet are abroad

- Access to Pet Legal and Vet Finder help lines

- 10% discount when you insure more than one pet with Aviva pet insurance

Vets’ bills for illness and injury suffered by your pet can easily run into thousands of pounds, and some pet insurance policies won’t cover the cost of your pet’s treatment if the condition continues or recurs. Aviva pet insurance vets’ fee cover is reinstated at each renewal (subject to payment of premium) so you can ensure that your cat or dog is covered even if he or she needs ongoing long term treatment in the future.

User reviews

Average user rating from: 1 user(s)

Overall rating:		3.8
Ease of Use:		5.0 (1)
Money Saved:		4.0 (1)
Service & Support:		3.0 (1)
Accuracy of Quotes:		3.0 (1)

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Overall rating:		3.8
Ease of Use:		5.0
Money Saved:		4.0
Service & Support:		3.0
Accuracy of Quotes:		3.0

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Reviewed by Cloe
September 26, 2010

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Cloe our 6 year old Labrador needed a fair amount of treatment after she got herself caught on a fence. I wasn't going to insure her at first but was glad I did when a bill for £400 came in. We have been with Aviva for a few years now and have had no problems since joining them. I wouldn't describe the customer service as friendly but they dealt with the claim quick enough.

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