Do I need pet insurance?

“Do I need pet insurance?” It’s a question most pet owners have Googled at one point or another. But the truth is, vet bills can be costly — easily ranging in the thousands — and from chew-happy puppies to curious kitties, it’s true: our pets sure do know how to get up to no good. 

Ok, so pet insurance might not be the most exciting topic — but it is an important one. Our pets are like our family — and they deserve the best. But accidents can happen, and when they do, having a pet insurance policy in place can help you cover the costs.

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance covers your pet against illnesses, accidents or injury, and can help save you from unexpected and costly vet bills should your pet need treatment.

Pet insurance covers pets of all shapes, sizes and species (although you may need more specialist care for certain animals, such as horses or reptiles). 

What does pet insurance cover? 

No two pets are alike, and so there are a few different pet insurance plans that pet parents can choose from. Here are the four main levels of cover you can expect to find: 

1. Accident-only. These plans, as the name suggests, cover your pets should they get into an accident. While accident-only plans tend to be cheaper, they offer the least amount of cover and usually don’t protect your pet from things like unexpected illness.  
2. Time-limited. These policies cover your pet against injury and accident for a set amount of time (usually 12 months). With these policies, you can claim as long as the policy is active, but keep in mind you can only claim for a specific illness/injury once on this type of cover.
3. Maximum benefit. This covers accident and illness for as long as your policy is in place. Unlike time-limited policies, there are no time limits with a max benefit policy but there is usually a fixed cost limit, and you won’t be able to claim once this limit is reached. 
4. Lifetime policy. These policies cover ongoing care for recurring conditions, accidents, and illnesses. This type of cover is the most comprehensive available and covers your pet for the entirety of its life, as long as you continue to renew it year on year. 

What doesn’t it cover? 

It’s also worth keeping in mind that many pet insurance policies won’t cover everything. Here’s a list of some of the most common exemptions: 

1. Pre-existing conditions. These aren’t usually covered by pet insurance. If your pet has a condition of any form, it’s important to check if it’s covered before taking a policy out.
2. Dental treatment. Most pet insurance policies won’t cover your pet for dental treatment either.
3. Routine appointments. Things like treatments for worms and dog fleas or vaccinations usually aren’t covered by pet insurance.
4. Age of pet. Older pets tend to cost more to insure, and some insurance companies won’t cover pets over a certain age at all.

It’s worth searching around for a pet insurance quote online to see exactly what cover you can get depending on you and your pet’s needs. 

Benefits of getting pet insurance

But what are the benefits of having a pet insurance policy in place? We’re glad you asked. 

1. Cost savings. If the unexpected happens, vet bills can get very costly, very quick. So, while you’ll still likely need to pay an excess if your pet does require treatment, having a pet insurance policy in place can help to cover the costs and could actually save you money in the long run. Some insurance providers, like Waggel pet insurance, even cover dental treatment and offer a zero excess option. 
2. You can choose your vet. Once you’ve found a vet who knows how to perfectly handle your less-than-malleable moggy, you probably won’t want to change anytime soon. The beauty of pet insurance means that, unlike most human health insurance plans, you can visit any vet you like!
3. You’re covered out-of-hours. Because life doesn’t always go to plan, and emergency or out-of-hours care can be particularly costly. The good news is that pet insurance covers everything from late-night accidents and emergencies to illness and injury.
4. Healthy, happy pets. Both now, and in the future. Pet insurance covers your pet for emergencies, yes, but some policies also provide cover for ​​things like complementary therapies and behavioural treatment.
5. Peace of mind. If we had to give just one benefit, it’d be this: the peace of mind you’ll get knowing that your pet is protected should anything happen to them. Now that’s priceless. 

Where to find a pet insurance policy?

Navigating pet insurance policies can be a bit of a minefield. But like most things these days, the easiest place to get a pet insurance quote or set up a policy — is online! 

Of course, if you’re looking for a zero-nonsense, hassle-free solution, then Waggel pet insurance may be the answer you’ve been looking for. 

Like us, a love for pets is what drives them. Forget what you’ve heard about pet insurance —  Waggel has reimagined it for our generation and made getting pet insurance as simple as possible for pets (and their humans) to get their noggins around. No more hold music, paperwork, or "gotcha" clauses hidden in unnecessarily complicated jargon. 

They offer just one lifetime policy which is the most comprehensive and, let’s face it, the easiest to understand. As well as covering your pet for life, it’s simple to set up and you can even submit a claim in as little as 10-seconds. Yes, really! Long gone are the days of complicated, lengthy, yawn-inducing forms — with Waggel, all you need to do is answer a couple of questions and they’ll do the rest. Because let’s be honest, if you’re filing a pet insurance claim, you’ve probably got enough on your bowl, right? 

Plus, their ever-evolving rewards platform is jam-packed with added benefits, such as free online vet support 24/7 and free dog behaviour and nutrition consultations. You can even get your paws on tasty discounts and freebies for you and your pet, even if you’re not claiming. We’re sure that if pets could pick their pet insurance, they’d pick Waggel!