If you’re on the hunt for the best pet insurance policy for your pooch, our complete comparison guide has all the information you need to find the perfect match.
Beyond exploring the different types of policies out there, we also answer all your questions about how pet insurance works, if it’s necessary to get your pooch covered, how premiums are calculated, and even ways to personalize your plan.
Check out our complete guide for new and experienced dog parents!
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
Pet insurance might seem complicated, especially if you’re a first-time dog parent. But it’s not as complex as it seems.
To break it down simply, pet insurance covers a selection of eligible vet expenses detailed on your policy. Typically, you’ll head over to the vet, pay for treatment, and then make a claim to get some money back on the costs you paid. This can potentially save you $1,000s on vet bills each year – money that can be spent treating your pup!
Does Your Pup Really Need Pet Insurance?
The last thing any pet parent wants when their fur baby is unwell is to bargain over the cost of vet visits, especially during medical emergencies. Pet insurance saves lives in many urgent health hick-ups, ensuring your pet gets the treatment they need, no matter your financial situation.
Fellow dog owners can’t recommend pet insurance enough. It’s an absolute must-have, even if your pooch is healthy – you never know when they might stumble into trouble!
Pet Insurance Comparison: Find the Right Policy for Your Pooch
Pet insurance policies will differ between insurers. However, they generally fall into four main categories: accident-only, comprehensive, Condition Limited cover, and Top Cover. Each type of policy will have its own set of eligible vet expenses, benefit percentages, and perks, each suited to different pet owners and pooches.
Explore and compare these different types of cover to find the best pet insurance options for your fur baby:
#1 Accident-Only
Accident-only insurance will only cover your four-legged friend for specified accidental injuries, such as a fractured bone or snake bite. It’s the most basic level of cover and the most budget-friendly. If you’ve got a relatively low-risk pooch, then an accident-only plan may be a good safety net to have in the off-chance that your pet has an accident.
#2 Accident & Illness (Comprehensive)
Accident and illness plans, also known as comprehensive, insures you for a bunch of treatments. It’s the most all-rounded policy type you can. If you want to make sure that every aspect of your pet’s health is covered, this is the perfect choice.
Most providers offer cover on cruciate ligament conditions, emergency boarding at animal hospitals, hereditary conditions, and prescribed medication. Some providers even include third party liability cover, such as PetsOnMe!
#3 Condition Limited Cover
Condition limited policies typically offer the same level of cover as a comprehensive plan would but with a slightly different claims structure. Instead of having an annual or lifetime limit, you’re capped at a set maximum benefit limit per treatment or condition. Once you’ve used up all the limit, you won’t be covered for any further treatment.
This type of policy suits pet parents who want comprehensive coverage for a decent price without having to commit to lifetime benefits.
#4 Top Cover with Dental Illness
Top cover is the highest level of cover with the most generous annual benefits. Due to this it is also the most expensive pet insurance cover that is available. Some top levels of cover include Dental Illness cover which is a very common claim amongst both cats and dogs.
How Are Pet Insurance Premiums Calculated?
Aside from the type of policy you choose and the annual limit you have, there are a bunch of other factors that will affect how high or low your pet insurance premiums are.
A higher annual benefit limit often means higher pet insurance prices, as you’re getting more financial protection.
Your pet’s breed and size will determine how much you pay. Certain breeds are more likely to develop hereditary conditions, such as German Shepherds, which are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. As for size, the bigger the dog, the more the vet bills, so premiums may be higher to account for higher medical costs.
Your pet’s age will affect premium prices. Senior dogs usually have a higher risk of getting injured or sick, meaning premiums can increase as your pet ages. Other factors, like location and claim history, can also determine how much you pay for pet insurance.
How To Personalize Your Dog Insurance Policy
If your furry friend has specific health needs, you can tailor your policy to meet their unique requirements with add-on cover options. Whether you want to pamper your high-maintenance pooch or need specific coverage for specialist treatments, many pet insurers offer a bunch of extra coverage options suited to every dog. Here are some paw-some add-ons you can get:
- Preventive Care & Routine Care: Covers any routine vet costs, like check-ups, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and sometimes spaying/neutering. It’s perfect for giving your puppy the best start in life without out-of-pocket costs.
- Dental Care: Includes dental procedures, such as dental disease, tooth extractions, and treatment for gingivitis. Dogs are always chewing on things they shouldn’t be, so this is a highly recommended add-on.
- Alternative Therapies: Covers any holistic or alternative therapies your pooch may need, like hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and chiropractic treatment.
- Behavioural Therapy: If you’ve got a cheeky pooch, adding behavioural therapy cover to your plan will save you the expense of ongoing training. It’s ideal for dogs with behavioural conditions like compulsive behaviours, aggression, and anxiety.
- Prescription Diet Cover: If your vet is prescribing your pet with a special diet, this extra coverage will help you save money on costly repeat prescriptions.
- Lost Pet Support: Let’s face it, our pups are always on the go, and sometimes they end up wandering too far away. Opting for lost pet support will ensure any lost pet advertisements, rewards, and microchip registration costs are covered, so you have the best possible chance of being reunited with your fur baby.
- Third-Party Liability: Some insurers, including PetsOnMe, include third-party liability in their plans. If your provider doesn’t offer this cover, it’s definitely worth considering. It covers any legal costs incurred from injuries or property damage that your mischievous pooch causes.
- Travel Coverage: If you and your pup are a couple of jet-setters, you should absolutely add travel coverage to your plan. This will cover any overseas vet expenses, so you can enjoy peace of mind in any country.
Cover Your Pooch With PetsOnMe!
With over 52,000 happy pet parents and a selection of multi-award-winning pet insurance premiums to choose from, PetsOnMe is the no.1 trusted pet insurance brand.
We offer different plans tailored to young pups and grown-up dogs so you can find the perfect policy that matches your fur baby’s needs.
If you’ve got a pup under 1 year, we’ll treat you to 2 months of free cover. Don’t worry; we haven’t left the big pooches out. Older dogs aged over 1 year get the first month free!
Our policies are a walk in the park. We promise full transparency, straightforward sign-ups, full flexibility, and fuss-free claims – without the jargon.
If you’re joining us from another provider, we make things super easy by waiving our waiting period as long as you’ve had 12+ months with no interruption in cover.
Discover and compare our puppy and dog pet insurance plans today!