We strongly advise getting pet insurance
Rouken Glen Vets strongly recommends the principle of veterinary insurance to protect against the unexpected fees incurred following illness or accident.
Did you know that 1 in 3 pets might require unexpected veterinary treatment each year?
People tend to think it’s only older pets that get ill and therefore younger pets don’t need pet insurance; we know from the patients we see each day that this is not the case.
In fact, the younger your pet is when you insure them the better as it means you are less likely to have any existing conditions that may not be covered by the policy. You can then receive more help covering the cost of future treatment your pet needs.
Types of pet insurance
It is important to note that not all pet insurance is the same. There are many different types of policies available and the level of cover provided can vary considerably. The four main types of policy are as follows:
- Accident: provides cover for accidents only and no cover for illness
- Time-limited: provides cover for a set amount of time (usually 12 months) and after this period the condition is excluded
- Maximum benefit: provides cover up to a maximum amount of money per condition and once this limit is reached the condition is excluded
- Lifetime: provides a set amount of money each year which is refreshed each time you renew your policy allowing you to continue to claim for ongoing conditions
As you can see from the information above, the type of policy you choose can have implications for the veterinary care of your pet and the costs you will face so it’s important to choose the right cover.
Asking the right questions
Sometimes, the cheapest insurance can cost you more in the long run. When shopping around for a policy, we suggest that you ask the following questions to allow you to compare the overall value you are getting, not just the price:
- Does this policy cover congenital, hereditary, hip-related, dental and behavioural conditions?
- Is there a time or monetary limit on how long this policy will cover ongoing conditions for?
- If I claim, will my premium increase?
Unlike other forms of insurance, it is not easy to switch pet insurance in the future as any pre-existing conditions your pet has are likely to be excluded. Therefore, it’s important to do your research and choose the right cover from the start.
It is your responsibility to settle your account with us and then reclaim the fees from your insurance company.
Direct Claims
These are submitted at the discretion of Rouken Glen Vets. Any excess, deductions must be paid within 14 days of an invoice. Rouken Glen Vets cannot be responsible for claims that are declined by your insurance company. There is no charge for this service.
If you would like help understanding the best policy for your pet please contact us.