Taking your pet to the vet can often come with a hefty price tag. In fact, the average cost of an unexpected vet bill can be as much as £392.90, according to rTesco Bank survey.
So getting a good insurance deal is definitely crucial when your pet is sick or injured. But if you’re not sure where to start, fear not.
A woman has now revealed the advice that saved her hundreds of pounds on her pet insurance this year. Sally, who owns an impressive eight pets, credited her financial win to Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert (MSE) newsletter.
Detailing her experience in her recent issue, she says: “I have five dogs, two cats [and] a horse to hold.
“They don’t all expire at the same time, but by shopping around for the best price and then haggling with a current carrier and switching multiple policies to a new carrier, I saved an INCREDIBLE £839 on last year’s premiums with identical cover.”
For her dogs alone, Sally reportedly saved £262 by switching her pet insurance. To shop around, MSE recommends using a number of comparison sites, including MoneySupermarket, Compare The Market and Confused.com.
Sometimes each one features different insurers with different prices, MSE says, so take your time and take note of the offers that catch your eye.
On the other hand, it is also worth checking the direct websites of large providers such as Petplan, as they may promote certain offers that go unnoticed on comparison sites.
Pet insurance prices can vary significantly depending on the level of cover provided, so it’s crucial to understand what you’re getting before you commit. Lifetime insurance, as the name suggests, protects your pet’s health for their entire life, as long as you continue to renew the policy.
On the other hand, accident-only policies may only apply to emergencies that require urgent treatment, while time-limited options may offer coverage for about a year.
The cost of these policies is also influenced by several factors related to your pet, such as age, medical history, location, and breed. MSE notes that certain breeds are more prone to specific diseases or conditions, which typically translates into higher insurance costs.
The Post Office, who also wrote a guide on this, advises: “[Insurance] It can also reimburse you for losses or expenses, such as having to interrupt a vacation to stay home with your pet.
“Ultimately, having pet coverage can mean you avoid financial hardship and the potentially heartbreaking dilemma of having a pet that needs life-saving treatment but not being able to afford it. Compared to the potential costs, pet insurance can be a small price to pay.”