Pet Insurance for Northern Ireland Residents

Each year 1 in 3 cats and dogs fall ill or are injured, and with no animal NHS the average emergency visit to the vet will set you back around £300. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries in pets has improved out of all recognition but all of this new high-tech equipment comes at a price and of course those increased costs are passed on to us, the customer.

Let's just make it clear that although a pet insurance policy provides cover against life's unexpected emergencies, it won't cover your pet for routine or preventative treatment such as worming tablets or regular injections.

The most important aspect of a pet insurance policy, and the main reason why people insure their animals, is to cover vet fees.

When considering which policy to buy, it's important that you realise that there are three main levels of cover offered - together with different variations between the various insurers :

Level one - This type of cover has a maximum limit on the amount it will pay out for each condition, and a limit on the length of time a condition can be claimed for (usually 12 months from the onset). Once the maximum monetary or time limit has been reached the condition will no longer be covered. This is commonly referred to as a 12-month policy. This is the cheapest type of policy but bear in mind that if your pet developes a long-term illness such as arthritis then you will be liable for all medication costs after the first year and also that no insurer will cover that pet against that pre-existing condition

Level two - The second type of cover involves a maximum limit on the amount paid out for each condition. There's no time limit though, so you claim for as long as it takes to reach this monetary limit. This is generally more expensive than level one and is suitable for long-term conditions provided that the medications that are prescribed are not too expensive.

Level three - This is commonly referred to as a 'cover for life' policy. It offers a fixed amount of cover for vet fees each year, and when you renew your policy the amount you can claim is reset. For example, a cat or dog that was diagnosed with arthritis, that first started during a period of insurance, would be covered for this condition during its lifetime, and the owner would pay an excess each year. This type of cover can be expensive but is suitable for long term, ongoing conditions.

Most companies will offer an element of third party liability cover, although this usually only applies to dogs. It covers any damage they may cause to someone else or their property, which you are legally liable for. For example, if your dog was to get hit by a car, you'd have to cover the cost of your pet's injuries, but you may also be liable to cover the cost of damage to the car - which could run into thousands of pounds. I well remember a very sad incident where a pet great dane escaped through a gate left open by the postman. The dog ran into the road, straight in front of a speeding police car. Sadly the dog was killed and some weeks later the distraught owners received a bill for several thousand pounds for repair costs to the police car.

Other items that might be covered by a pet insurance policy include:

1. The purchase price if your pet goes missing, is stolen, or is fatally hurt in an accident
2. Money towards advertising and a reward if your pet goes missing
3. Cover for boarding fees if you have to go into hospital for a specified length of time
4. Cover if you have to cancel or cut short your holiday because your pet goes missing or needs emergency treatment
5. Cover whilst taking the pet with you on an overseas holiday provided that you and your pet are travelling under the Pet Travel Scheme

There are a number of things you need to consider when taking out pet insurance. Not only can the policies vary in the level of cover they offer, but each company will apply their own additions, conditions and exclusions, which means there can be great differences between them. It's important to make sure that you compare like with like when choosing pet insurance and pick the policy that best meets your needs and budget.

Different companies often use different methods to work out the cost of your premiums. Some companies consider the breed of the animal, its age and where you live. The benefit of this is that you are charged according to your own circumstances.

Other companies make you pay the same as everyone else - even if their animals pose a higher risk than yours. This means that if there is a rise in claims, the company may put the price up for everyone, rather than just for those who are making the claims.

You should be able to tell roughly how each company charges by the questions they ask you. If they want to know more detail about your pet, you know that you are probably being considered on an individual basis.

Most policy contracts are on an annual basis and the cost of the insurance can usually either be spread over the year by paying monthly or as a one-off annual charge. Sometimes you can save by paying by a particular method, such as by direct debit.

All of the pet insurance policies carry an excess that has to be paid for each claim that is made. One of the main purposes of an excess is to prevent people claiming for minor ailments that only cost a small amount to treat, but cost insurance companies a lot to process. Most companies will charge you an excess for each condition you claim for, so if you have to claim for two different problems in one year, you'll have to pay two excesses.

Different insurance companies apply different exclusions. Some may refuse to cover older animals or certain breeds if they feel they are too high a risk. Other companies may refuse to cover your pet for certain conditions, such as arthritis or hip trouble, which certain breeds of dog are especially prone to. Make sure you check the exclusions to ensure the cover provided meets your individual needs. Possible exclusions may be:

1. Treatments that are aimed at preventing a condition e.g. neutering / worming / flea treatment / vaccinations / nail clipping
2. Treatment arising as a result of pregnancy or giving birth
3. Behavioural problems
4. Illness arising within the first 10, 14 or 30 days of the policy date
5. Home visits, unless the vet feels this is absolutely necessary for the pet's welfare
6. Congenital or hereditary conditions
7. Dogs restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991/ Wolf hybrids or animals listed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
8. Pets used for work, racing, guarding or commercial gain
9. Dental treatment
10. Diet food

Most insurance companies won't insure your pet for a condition that started before you took the policy out. How strictly this general rule is applied will vary between companies. For example a dog that has suffered from arthritis in one joint prior to the insurance starting may be excluded from all arthritis cover by one company, just the specific joint by another, or for any bone and joint problems by another.

Check what happens to your policy as your pet gets older. Some companies may increase the premiums or excess as your pet gets older. And sometimes they change from charging a flat rate excess to a percentage excess instead.

Many companies won't insure your pet for the first time if it's past a certain age. This is usually 8 or 10, but it can be as low as 5 years old depending on the breed. Whilst generally speaking, most companies who will insure your pet will insure them for life, there are some companies who won't. So, even if your pet is already insured, once it hits the company's cut-off age, insurance may cease or cover may be restricted.