How To Choose The Best Pet Insurance

Adopting a pet means having to cope with a number of responsibilities. We are not just talking about the food, attention and medical care to guarantee your dog or cat. But also to protect the safety of this pet, yours and that of the people around you. Every good owner should take care to insure their four-legged friend. That is why we have decided to help you choose the best pet insurance.

How does pet insurance work?

Pet insurance works in a similar way to health insurance. Its goal is to protect you and your four-legged friends from possible unexpected events. Like accidents or illnesses. These are policies designed for all pet owners, especially for dogs and cats.

Companies that work by offering pet insurance usually have a wide range of services that you can choose from.

The policyholder must opt ​​for coverage that includes the services most appropriate to the needs of their pet. Then, you need to compare the benefits, costs and limitations of each coverage. An essential step to find the right insurance policy for your faithful companion.

To calculate the specific insurance value for your pet, the insurer will require the following information: species, breed, age and health card issued by a veterinarian.

In addition, most companies usually insure animals between 3 months and 8 years  of age. Obviously they will have to be identified through the mandatory microchip.

Choosing the insurance policy for an animal: coverage and services

It should be noted that the services included in each policy vary according to the insurance company. However, according to consultants and industry specialists, good basic coverage should include:

• Civil liability in case of damage to third parties.
• Theft or loss: some companies include a search for an animal in case of loss.
• Death by accident.
• Sacrifice in the event of a terminal illness or accident with serious damage.
• 24 hour telephone assistance.

Quality coverage should cover the basic services we just mentioned and, in addition, these others as well:

• Comprehensive veterinary care, which includes preventive medicine. Periodic visits, vaccines, laboratory analyzes and diagnostic tests, surgery, hospitalization and veterinary assistance at home.
• Pet policies are similar to medical policies. They have agreements with professionals, clinics and hospitals. Some also offer reimbursements for consultations and treatments performed with other specialists who are not covered by the policy.
• Hospitalization or assistance in case of surgery or illness.
• Burial expenses. Many companies fully cover the costs of incinerating the animal’s remains.

Is it worth taking out pet insurance?

This question cannot be answered clearly. Deciding whether or not to insure your pet depends on how much money you can invest in the dog or cat you have adopted and, above all, what its main activity is.

The price of the insurance will depend on the coverage you choose. As owners generally opt for full coverage, we recommend that you consider the benefit of not having to worry about anything anymore.

Is it worth it? This also depends on your personal point of view. The great advantage of having insurance with full coverage is that you will no longer have to face unexpected expenses, as well as protect yourself from any damage caused by the animal to other people. If you have a ‘potentially dangerous’ dog or one that often comes into contact with many people, it goes without saying that taking out a policy is more than appropriate.

5 tips for choosing pet insurance

What matters is to be aware of what you are subscribing to. Never take out insurance in a superficial way, because you can contract services that you do not need or, on the contrary, spend little and have inadequate coverage  . So let’s see these simple tips that will help you in choosing a good insurance for your dog or cat:

1. Compare the coverage and services offered by each insurer. They are not the same in all cases and it is necessary to analyze the matter thoroughly.
2. Check the warranty in the event of civil liability for damage to third parties and in the event of accidents.
3. Meet the requirements for the policy to be valid : age range, microchip identification, up-to-date vaccination and deworming, and breed identification.
4. Check the coverage you have chosen by asking the following questions: is the insurance valid only in Italy? Can it be extended across the whole of Europe? Will it be possible to have insurance in case of international travel to another continent?