Why is it important to get pet insurance for your dog?

We’ve been working with pets and their owners for over 45 years and we know that more people claim on their pet insurance every year than their house or car insurance. That’s why, if you’re preparing to bring home a new pup – or even looking to rehome an older one – you can’t afford to leave insurance off your to-do list.

A good policy will cover you for accidents, illnesses, damage to property and much more. Certain policies may initially appear cheaper, but could place restrictive limits on the conditions you can make a claim for or the amount that they will pay out in vet fees.

Long-term or chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes could mean your dog needs treatment for life. What’s more, they could have more than one different health condition at the same time. Costs can really mount up and insurance is the best way to ensure your dog gets the treatment they need.

Not all policies are created equal, however. Some insurers’ plans don’t pay out for long-term or recurring health conditions or even dental work. As well as restrictions on cover, some insurers also have low limits on the amount of money they will pay out for vet bills. This could mean you end up needing to pay a large chunk of the bill out of your own pocket, even though you are insured.

Take out Petplan’s Covered For Life® policy and we’ll pay the ongoing costs for any new illnesses your dog develops while insured with us as long as you renew without a break in cover. Your dog will receive the best care, year after year.

Some pet owners decide to ‘self insure’ – in other words, to put away money each month themselves for vets bills. But sadly, it is not just older dogs that get ill or injured.

If your puppy were to need an operation in its first few years, you might find you don’t have enough money saved to cover the costs of their care. And if they developed a chronic condition that required treatment and medication over many years, insurance would offer better value in the long term.

We love our dog’s quirks, but certain breeds are at higher risk of ongoing health conditions because of their genetics. Don’t let your policy leave you out of pocket.

For example, we find that smaller breeds such as Border Terriers and Cockapoos are prone to dislocated kneecaps, also known as patella luxation, while Labradors often eat things they shouldn’t thanks to their big appetites and end up with gastrointestinal problems.

Your dog's breed also has an impact on how much you will pay for insurance. For example, owning a pedigree will usually mean higher premiums. This is because such breeds are more prone to long-term health conditions, which can quickly result in mounting veterinary costs. Ensuring that your policy covers everything you might need will enable you to avoid unexpected bills and focus on keeping your dog happy and healthy

Find out what to look out for with our dog breed advice pages below.