Dogs bring us a lot of enjoyment, but there are also times when they can make us worry, especially when they get ill. Veterinary care is improving all the time, with more treatments available than in the past, but these treatments can be expensive and when your dog is ill the last thing you want to think about is money. Pet insurance can bring real peace of mind, taking the worry out of this stressful situation. Even so, you should be careful to choose the right company and the right policy for your pet, as there can be a wide difference between them, and this is one occasion when you must read the small print. Have a chat with your vet about types of insurance cover but below are a few pointers.

What to look for in an insurance company

• The company should have a good track record in terms of claims history, types of claim, frequency of claims etc. Ask your veterinary practice for advice and some information can usually be checked on their websites or in FAQs.
• Simple, straightforward processes and good service, e.g. the opening times of a careline, simplicity of claim forms.
• The company should be open to queries, friendly and helpful, as you may need to call them at a difficult time for you.

What to look for from pet insurance

• The monthly premium payments must be affordable.
• Does the cover last for longer than one year per condition? Many conditions affecting dogs can be lifelong (e.g. diabetes). Policies with shorter cover may still be suitable for you but you need to know such restrictions.
• What is the excess per condition? i.e. the sum you need to pay initially before the insurance company covers the remainder. If this is very high you might not claim for less serious conditions and this should be reflected in the monthly premium cost.
• Does the cover include all the costs of treating your pet? Check that hospital stays, medicines, anaesthetics, operations, imaging (x-rays and ultrasound) and laboratory charges will all be taken care of, including at referral level if your vet needs to send your dog to a specialist. Also enquire whether the treatment of behavioural disorders, and complementary medicines and treatments (e.g. acupuncture) are covered.
• What is the maximum sum paid out per condition per year? Some problems require extensive treatment at specialist centres which can be expensive. A low maximum pay-out may preclude these treatments. For example £1,000 sounds a lot of money but a broken leg could lead to a bill more than double that amount. Some companies also limit the total sum paid per year, regardless of the number of conditions.
• Is the cover affected by your dog’s age? Some policies will not cover older dogs, or ask you to pay a proportion of the treatment (often around 20%) after a certain age.
• Is the premium affected by your postcode or your dog’s breed? Often more urban areas attract a higher premium.
• Will your cover include the cost, or a contribution towards, special vet-recommended diets?
• Does cover include third-party costs if your dog causes an accident or injures someone? You should also check your house and contents insurance, as some policies cover legal liability for injury or damage caused by pets.
• Are there pensioner or multi-pet discounts? Most companies provide a discount for three or more pets.
• If your pet has pre-existing medical conditions a new policy is unlikely to cover associated costs, but some companies will reinstate the cover if the dog is not treated for this condition for a period of time. Ask the company about this if it applies to your dog.
• Are there any other restrictions on the policy? For example, some policies will not cover dental treatment unless a dental check is performed by the vet once a year; other policies require complete and up-to-date vaccinations. Check the small print for such restrictions to make sure you can stick to them to avoid losing the cover when you need it.
• Will there be a lump sum if your dog is lost, is stolen or strays? Will the policy contribute to the cost of making missing notices and offering a reward?
• Is a lump sum payment made if the dog is put to sleep? This may be important for pedigree dogs as some pedigree puppies cost several hundred pounds.
• Will there be payment for holiday cancellation due to emergency pet surgery? Or kennel fees should you need to go to hospital?
• Are treatments for congenital or hereditary conditions covered? Important for pedigree dogs with known hereditary disease problems.