Pet policies

Cat and dog insurance policies reviewed We compare and rate dog and cat policies from UK pet insurers to pick the best policies on the market. The tables below are ordered by policy score and show:

Lifetime cover: Policies that meet our minimum criteria of 3,000 vet fee cover for cats and 4,000 for dogs. We have also included 'per condition' policies These offer more limited cover. Max age: Unless otherwise noted, the policy has no upper age limit for a new pet. Annual premium: Based on a five-year-old non-pedigree cat in a low risk area; for dogs based on a five-year-old non-pedigree dog and five-year-old Labrador, both living in a low risk area. Note for London pet owners: premiums may be as much as double the amount shown. Policy score: 60% of weighting is made up of vet fee cover, 40% is a combination of these policy features: cover for euthanasia, cremation/burial, third party liability (dogs only), dental cover, cattery/kennel fees and cover abroad. Cat policies Vet fee cover 5,000 5,000 6,000 3,000 6,000 4,000 7,000 7,000 10,000 8,000 12,000 7,000
d

Provider ComputerquoteUltimate Lifea Vetsure Premier Plusb Hastings DirectPremier Life ComputerquoteClassic Lifea The Green InsuranceUltimate Lifetime plusd Hastings DirectPremier Life Annual cover (Lifetime cover) Argos Platinum Marks and SpencersPremier John Lewis Pet Insurance Pet Protect Lifelong Extrab Petplan Ultimatee Petplan Classice Helpucover Premier Cover Lifelong Premier Coverd Vet2pet Premier Cover
d

Policy score 86% 85% 82% 79% 79% 79% 95% 94% 88% 87% 81% 81% 80% 80% 80% 78% 75% 74% 67% 81% 71% 71%

Annual premium - 5 year moggy in low risk area 163 171 116 128 155 105 130 76 112 294 188 123 105 153 121 146 153 207 119 104 90 79

Excess 55 69 [c] 75 55 60 75 65 50 75 75 + 15% 70 70 60 60 60 60 60 + 10% 75 + 15% 70 50 75 75

Per condition per year (Lifetime cover)

6,000 6,000 6,000 7,000 5,000 4,000 4,000 7,500 7,500 6,500

The Green InsuranceLifetime Plusd Saga Super Coverf Pet Protect Lifelong Plusb Petplan Classice Per condition Sainsburys Option 2 Protect Your BubblePremier RSPCA Gold Cover

Cat policies Vet fee cover 7,000 7,500 7,000 5,000 7,000 7,500 5,000 6,000 6,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 4,000 3,500 4,000 3,000 4,000 3,000
g

Provider Debenhams Gold Esure Pet Plus PDSA 7000 Post Office Pet Insurance Littlewoods Platinum Healthy Pets Gold Kwik Fit Gold Direct Line Pet Advancedd Virgin Money Accident and Illness Extrad Admiral Gold Plus Petwise Gold LV= Gold Protect Your BubbleStandard Esure Pet insurance Debenhams Silver PDSA 3000 Healthy Pets Silver Petwise Silver

Policy score 69% 69% 69% 68% 67% 65% 65% 64% 64% 64% 63% 62% 58% 56% 56% 54% 53% 51%

Annual premium - 5 year moggy in low risk area 192 140 98 71 132 59 188 95 110 138 163 97 74 103 150 93 52 126

Excess 75 75 + 20% 75 + 20% 75 75 75 + 20% 75 70 70 60 75 + 20% 60 75 75 + 20% 75 75 + 20% 75 + 20% 75 + 20%

Table notes
a. b. c. d. e. f. g. Policy is also availabe branded as UIS Maximum age for acceptance is nine years old Collected once per condition, not per condition per year Maximum age for acceptance is 10 years old Maximum age for acceptance is tenth birthday Maximum age for acceptance is seven yers old Policy is also available branded as Very

Dog policies Annual Annual Premium, Premium, Pedigree Cross dog: breed, Labrador Overall mongrel, retriever, policy 5 years 5 years score old Excess old Excess

Provider

Vet fee cover

Per condition per year (Lifetime cover)

Dog policies Annual Annual Premium, Premium, Pedigree Cross dog: breed, Labrador Overall mongrel, retriever, policy 5 years 5 years score old Excess old Excess 82% 272 75 296 75

Provider Hastings DirectPremier Life The Green InsuranceUltimate Lifetime Plusa ComputerquoteClassic Lifeb VetsurePremier Plus Hastings DirectPremier Life John Lewis Pet Insurance HomebasePlatinum Argos Platinum PetplanUltimate
e c

Vet fee cover 6,000

6,000 5,000 5,000 4,000

79% 78% 77% 67%

260 302 374 218

60 55 69
d

325 382 411 255

60 55 69d 75

75

Annual cover (Lifetime cover) 10,000 7,500 7,000 12,000 7,000 8,000 7,000 7,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 4,000 7,500 7,500 7,500 6,500 7,500 7,000 7,000 7,000
g

89% 87% 85% 81% 81% 80% 69% 68% 65% 65% 65% 60% 56% 51% 72% 62% 61% 61% 57% 57% 53% 53%

192 319 306 382 182 426 216 244 311 328 340 347 309 202 210 151 261 159 159 269 207 183

75 75 65 75 70 100 + 20% 75 60 70 70 70 75 + 10% 100 + 20% 75 100 75 75 75 75 75 75 75

286 343 329 382 256 600 293 305 491 500 535 473 435 275 263 262 289 223 301 297 213 201

75 75 65 90 70 100 + 20% 90 60 90 90 90 75 + 10% 100 + 20% 90 100 75 75 75 75 75 75 75

Marks and SpencersPremier Pet ProtectLifelong Plusf PetplanClassice The Green InsuranceLifetime HelpucoverPremier Coverg LifelongPremier Coverg Vet2petPermier Cover Saga Super Coverh Pet ProtectLifelong Plusf PetplanClassice Per condition SainsburysOption 2 Protect Your Bubble Premier Esure Pet Plus RSPCA Gold Cover Healthy PetsGold DebenhamsGold PDSA 7000 LittlewoodsPlatinumi

Dog policies Annual Annual Premium, Premium, Pedigree Cross dog: breed, Labrador Overall mongrel, retriever, policy 5 years 5 years score old Excess old Excess 52% 49% 49% 48% 47% 45% 45% 37% 36% 33% 140 174 204 244 258 159 230 108 209 134 75 80 80 75 60 60 75 75 75 75 210 182 210 292 326 192 253 182 230 253 75 80 80 75 60 60 75 75 75 75

Provider Post Office Pet Insurance Direct Line Pet Advancea Virgin MoneyInjury and Illnessa Kwik Fit Gold Admiral Gold Plus LV= Premier Petwise Gold Protect Your BubbleStandard DebenhamsSilver Healthy PetsSilver

Vet fee cover 5,000 6,000 6,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 4,000 4,000 4,000

Table notes
a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. Maximum age for acceptance is 10 years old Policy is also available branded as UIS Maximum age for acceptance is 9 years old Collected once per condition, not per condition per year Maximum age for acceptance is eighth birthday, or fifth for specific breeds Maximum age for acceptance is seven, or five for specific breeds Maximum age for acceptance is eight years old, or five years old for particular breeds Maximum age for acceptance is seven Policy is also available branded as Very

About pet insurance policies

Pet insurance checklist
If your dog or cat is sick or injured and you need to take it to the vet, check your policy documents to see whether you're covered or contact your insurer directly. All the pet insurance policies we look at offer the minimum level of cover we think you need - For dogs, 4,000 of cover per year for lifetime pet insurance policies and 5,000 per condition for mid-level pet insurance policies and for cats, 3,000 of cover per year for lifetime pet insurance and 4,000 per condition for mid-level pet insurance.The lifetime pet insurance policies really come into their own if your pet has an ongoing problem that will need treatment for several years. With these pet insurance policies you can claim up to 4,000 a year for as long as the condition persists. With mid-level pet insurance policies, once you have claimed 4,000 for that particular condition, you will have to pick up all ongoing bills for treatment.

Pet insurance will not cover 'expected' costs such as routine vaccinations or worming Most pet insurance will pay boarding fees if you need to go into hospital Most pet insurance will cover advertising and recovery costs if your pet goes missing Most pet insurance will also cover legal expenses if your pet causes injury to a third party The most expensive pet insurance also offers holiday cancellation cover if your pet is sick.

How it works
A pet insurance policy will cover medical expenses if your pet becomes ill or is injured in an accident. However, it won't cover routine visits to the vet or events that you could have anticipated, such as routine vaccinations or neutering.

A top level policy will give your pet comprehensive protection The most comprehensive 'top level' policies offer lifetime cover and reinstate benefits at the start of each year. This means that, as long as the policy is renewed every 12 months, you are able to claim up to the full vet fees benefit, year after year, even for a recurring or ongoing illness. This type of policy can be invaluable if your let develops a long-term condition such as arthritis or eczema. The next best option is a 'mid-level' policy that places a monetary limit on treatment per condition, but without a time restriction. For example, if the policy offers a 4,000 limit per condition, cover for a particular ailment will only run out when you reach this limit, regardless of how long your pet has been receiving treatment.This type of policy is usually less expensive than a lifetime policy. There are cheaper policies available, which limit cover to a maximum 12-month period per condition. They may be of interest to pet owners who are more interested in protecting against high initial costs of treatment after an injury or illness. However, we believe these policies generally offer inadequate cover and so have excluded them from our Best Buy tables.

Cost factors
Pet owners living in urban areas will usually pay higher premiums than those in rural areas, partly because the risk of injury is greater but mainly because vet fees are higher. You could pay twice as much to insure a cat or dog if you live in London, for example, as you would if you lived in Glasgow or Leeds according to a snapshot Which? Money survey.

Where you live will affect pet insurance costs The cost of cover also increases with the pet's age, reflecting the fact that older animals are more likely to need medical treatment. Many companies will provide cover only for dogs less than eight or nine years old and cats younger than ten. Pedigree animals are generally more expensive to insure than moggies or mongrels. This is because they are worth more - many policies offer to pay out the cost of a pet if it dies or is stolen - and because non-pedigree cats and dogs are generally healthier and live longer than pedigrees.

In a perfect world everything runs smoothly from day to day, there are no accidents, disappointments or things to worry about beyond deciding what color sock youll wear with your shirt tomorrow. Unfortunately this perfect world only exists in places like the Wiggles show, on a cruise or at an all inclusive resort, providing the weather is good.

Switching back to where most of us spend our time in the real world, things are not all bad and most of the time life is okay but accidents do happen, disappointment arise to show their ugly head and worry tends to extend beyond the perfect world of TV. Thats why people invented things like cat pet insurance. Its for happy cat owners who would like to remain happy cat owners. If youre not a cat owner then there is no reason to read any further unless you know a cat owner and youre reading this for them. In any case, lets proceed.

Running out to your local pet insurance company and quickly grabbing a policy is one method, but not necessarily a good one when it comes to buying pet insurance. We all live different lives and so does your cat. You need to fit the pet insurance company and policy you choose to you and your pets lifestyle. Getting the most comprehensive coverage with the lowest possible premiums and deductibles is not impossible providing you do your homework. Closely compare companies and plans and take your time to read all the fine print and ask lots of questions to make sure youre well informed. Only when youre completely satisfied should you buy a policy. Besides getting the basic coverage for accidents and visits to the vet, there are other types of coverage you may not have considered that may be important to you. Here is a list of a few lesser known pet insurance features and types of coverage that you may like to consider asking about for your policy. Were not r ecommending you get all of these features. Instead select the coverage and features that will benefit you the most and fits best with your particular needs.

Little Known Types of Pet Insurance Coverage and Features Animal Bites
Getting bitten is not on the top of my list and Im sure its not on the top of your Cats list either. But if you have one or more outdoor cats there is the risk of them being attacked by another animal. Indoor Cats are at a much lower risk, unless you also own a nasty gerbil or two. Seriously, residential areas offer less of a danger from wild animals but if you live in a highly wooded or desert area you may want to consider the everyday dangers your cats have to deal with when stepping out the door. Here are some of the more common wild animals that offer a threat to your outdoor cat. Snake Coyote Raccoon Squirrel

Scorpion Fox Porcupine Ground Hog Skunk Rat If you feel the risk is significant for your cat, look for coverage of bite wounds, lacerations and the like. Treatment can run into hundreds if not thousands of dollars so ensuring you have the coverage for this type of incident is a smart move.

Car Accidents
We know your Cat doesnt drive, but if they are injured in a car accident are they properly covered for treatment? If your Cat frequently travels in the car with you check with your Car insurance to see if they offer any special riders for pets. Even if your Cat doesnt get into the car with you very often its something worth taking the time to look into just to be on the safe side.

Does your policy have a wellness plan?

A wellness plan is an essential part of any pet insurance policy. Its designed to cover things like physical exams, vaccinations and other regular check-ups. Older pets can be excluded for pre-existing conditions. Getting a policy for your pet when they are young will lessen the chance of any health problems being excluded.

Always go with a well established company

Always closely examine the company youre planning to buy a policy from. If they were recommend ed to you by a friend see if you can learn more about the company from them. Companies that have been in business for a long time are more stable and a better choice. Search for any reviews online and keep an eye out for any costumer complaints. Lastly, visit the Better Business Bureaus website at bbb.org. Search for the company and check their accreditation, rating and review.

Get coverage the day you buy it.

Some pet insurance companies will make you wait up to 30 days before certain aspects of you policy are covered. Try to get a pet insurance policy that begins the same day you buy it and has no needless delays associated with it.

Is your Cat covered when their away from Home

If you take you cat with you when you go places make sure your policy covers them when they are away from their home. If your cat normally stays home when you go out then its nothing to worry about although keep in mind that some insurance companies will slip in an exclusion that will not provide benefits for your cat when they are physically away from the premises.

Beware of quick repayment promises

Be weary of pet insurance companies that promise to process a claim as quickly as possible. Chances are youll never see you money. A reputable pet insurance company normally has a set period for repayments. Dont rely on false promises. Get actual steps you need to follow to processes a claim and the number of days youll have to wait for payment so youll know exactly when your money will arrive. This way youll know if its lat e or not and can follow up with the pet insurance company.

Cancellation Pet Insurance Penalties

If you decide to cancel your policy for what ever reason, there should be no penalties at all to worry about. In fact it would be a good idea to make sure the pet insurance company youre planning to use doesnt have something as ridiculous as a cancellation penalty. While youre at it see if they offer the ability to put your policy on hold for a certain period of time as well as reduce or increase the coverage or make any other changes with a simple phone call.

Get your pets medications before you travel

To save you some time trying to claim the cost of meds purchased from atypical locations, make sure youre stocked up on your pets meds before you go on any trips that your pet will be joining you on.

Also plan ahead and make sure your cat is fully covered by your pet insurance if youre planning to go away for an extended period of time.

Look for discounts on Vaccinations

You can sometimes find vaccination clinics in your area put on by the ASPCA and the Humane Society where you can have your cat vaccinated at a lower rate. This can actually cost you less than a visit to your primary vet where you are covered by your pet insurance.

Always get a second opinion

If your vet is suggesting some costly treatments for your cat it always helps to shop around, even though you trust them and respect their opinion. Talk to your insurance company about your options and ask if they can suggest any other vets in your area you can visit. You may ultimately end up sticking with your own vet but it never hurts to get a few other opinions before making a final decision.

Find out if any breed-specific illnesses are covered for your Cat
If the breed of your Cat has hereditary, pre-existing or breed-specific conditions they may not be covered and this may be the coverage you need the most. Check with the pet insurance company to see if they offer coverage and what percentage they will cover. Also check if treatments as well as prescriptions are included in the coverage.

Search for reviews on pet insurance companies

Search online for the pet insurance companies youre interested in. The quickest way to find reviews is to enter the name of the company in the search box followed by the word review. You could also search on Pet insurance review to find any review sites that may have a review on the company youre looking for. Look for reviews from pet owners for an unbiased review and see how happy or unhappy they are in getting their claims processed, whether they get their money in good time or if they have to deal with any rejections of all or parts of their claim.

Learn about the underwriters behind the policy

Underwriters determine the risk of each policy that is created. Underwriters who are too conservative can loose business for a company and those that are to lenient can loose money for the insurance company. Learning how an underwriter asses risk for the different policies can give you some insight into the ability of the pet insurance company to make payment on future claims.

Ask about any limits on coverage

Some policies will place a cap or maximum amount on certain items that are covered in the policy. These caps can be for each treatment, for a health issue or for a maximum amo unt for the year. Its worth asking about any maximums in advance so you know youll have the coverage when you need it. Otherwise you may find yourself paying for something you thought was covered.

Can you use your own Vet

Some pet insurance companies have a specific list of Vets throughout the country that you can use. Other companies will let you choose the Vet you would like to use. Check to make sure your Vet is supported by the policy youre interested in. If not then ask if you can use your Vet. If the answer is no and you dont want to switch to one of the insurance companies Vets then find another policy that will let you use the Vet you want.

In Closing
This list should give you some new ideas to add to whatever must have list youve got going b efore setting out to find the optimum pet insurance policy for your cat. While youre hunting around, take some time and review each policy very carefully. Finding a policy with the features you want at a price you can afford will make you and your cat very happy. Petshealth has been around since 1997 offering customizable pet insurance coverage for cats based on four increasing levels of protection. They also offer a ten percent savings if you buy coverage for multiple pets. In this review well take a look at the different plans Petshealth Care Plan has to offer you and your cat and the coverage their policies provide.

See more Pictures of Cats in Petshealth Care Plan Pet Insurance Review
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Pet Insurance: Little Known Features and Types of Coverage You May Not Know About
posted by cam on jul 05 2011 | pet insurance

In a perfect world everything runs smoothly from day to day, there are no accidents, disappointments or things to worry about beyond deciding what color sock youll wear with your shirt tomorrow. Unfortunately this perfect world only exists in places like the Wiggles show, on a cruise or at an all inclusive resort, providing the weather is good.

See more Pictures of Cats in Pet Insurance: Little Known Features and Types of Coverage You May Not Know About
1 comment

Cat Pet Insurance: 7 Money Saving Ideas You May Not Have Though About
posted by cam on jul 04 2011 | pet insurance

More and more pet owners are considering Pet Insurance for their Cats in order to add an extra layer of protection for them and their Cats. If your Cat suddenly becomes ill or is in a serious accident, pet insurance can handle the potential high costs for your pets treatment and recovery.

For cat owners or those planning to buy a pet cat that are thinking about getting pet insurance, here are a few money saving ideas that can help keep costs down while hopefully providing you with the coverage you need. See more Pictures of Cats in Cat Pet Insurance: 7 Money Saving Ideas You May Not Have Though About
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Is Pet Insurance worth it? Knowing if you should buy Pet Insurance for your Cat?
posted by cam on jun 30 2011 | pet insurance

If youre wondering if you should get pet insurance for your cat, youre not alone. A few years ago pet insurance would have been on most peoples list of things that are not needed. These days it has become a different story with many pet insurance plans available.

Still the main decision lies in deciding whether to put your hard earned money into premiums or put the money into another financial vehicle that will work better for you. So the question remains; is pet insurance worth it? See more Pictures of Cats in Is Pet Insurance worth it? Knowing if you should buy Pet Insurance for your Cat?
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Pet Insurance for Your Cat: 3 Key Questions to Ask Before You Decide to Buy
posted by cam on jun 27 2011 | pet insurance

Buying Pet insurance for your cat? It may sound like a totally unnecessary luxury that only the very rich can afford. If you are trying to decide whether or not you should get cat pet insurance this article should help you.

Our cats are an important part of our family. We enjoy each others company and our kids love them dearly. Like the good pet owners we are, they are well taken of and we hope that nothing bad will ever happen to them. Nutritious food, clean drinking water, and a safe environment where they can play will keep them happy and healthy. Unfortunately, even if we look after them properly, our pets just like people can get sick or become injured from an accident. See more Pictures of Cats in Pet Insurance for Your Cat: 3 Key Questions to Ask Before You Decide to Buy
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Pet Insurance and the Meaning of Policy Terms

posted by cam on jun 24 2011 | pet insurance

Pet insurance policies can be difficult to understand if you are unfamiliar with the meaning of the terms they contain. Many policies are written with jargon that is difficult to understand which can prevent you from knowing exactly what you are getting for your money.

See more Pictures of Cats in Pet Insurance and the Meaning of Policy Terms
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Cat Pet Insurance: Deciding if it will benefit you and Your Cat
posted by cam on jun 22 2011 | pet insurance

Are you a cat owner looking for a few motivating reasons to consider Cat Health insurance for your cat? We all love our pets and we want the best for them. Its difficult to know if you should get an insurance policy for your Cat or not.

Why you need it and what the benefits are for the long and short term. What benefit does it have to offer you as a Cat owner? How soon should I buy Health Insurance for my Cat? Here we answer these questions and provide a clearer picture of why you need cat pet insurance for your cat. See more Pictures of Cats in Cat Pet Insurance: Deciding if it will benefit you and Your Cat
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How to Buy Pet Insurance for Your Cat

posted by cam on jun 20 2011 | pet insurance

Pets are more than just animals that we feed and take care of. They are part of the family, are loved and given the best care that we can offer. From feeding them healthy food to grooming them, we smother them with tender loving care (TLC) because they deserve it even if they dont always reciprocate.

See more Pictures of Cats in How to Buy Pet Insurance for Your Cat
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Looking for Cheap Pet Insurance: 26 Questions to Ask Before You Buy
posted by cam on aug 03 2009 | pet insurance

Looking for cheap pet insurance can be a big job if you dont know what to look for. There are a number of choices and finding the best pet insurance is easy if you know the right questions to ask. Without pet health insurance you wont be protected if something unforeseen happens to your precious pet. It happened to us. Dont let it happen to you.

A Pet Insurance Nightmare: Dont Let this Happen to You and Your Pet.
Last December our precious family pet cat, Jasmine became very ill with kidney disease. Unfortunately we didnt have any pet insurance. The Vet told us they would try some treatments and see how she responds. If Jasmine responded to the treatment it meant more costs for medical treatment from home. If she didnt we still had some costly vet fees for the initial treatment and for keeping Jasmine at the vets for a few days. Unfortunately Jasmine didnt respond to the treatment and the only choice wa s to have her put down. So there we were with a huge vet bill and no cat. Pet Insurance would have made going through the awful experience of loosing a family pet easier to handle.

Facts & Statistics on the US Pet Insurance Industry

There are multiple sources of data for much of the pet insurance market. We've collected these together here with references so that you can draw your own conclusions.

How Big Is the US Pet Insurance Industry

Embrace estimates that at the end of 2008 there were around 800,000 pet insurance policies in force with total direct written premium across the industry of $272 million . Written premiums grew at a compounded rate of 18% between 2003 and 2008.
1

Number of Pets with Pet Insurance

Embrace estimates that just 0.3% of the cat and dog population was insured in 2008. This calculation is very simple to do - it is the number of policies in force at the end of the year divided by the total cat and dog population . So 800,000 divided by approximately 154 million gives 0.52%. This figure is much lower than the 3% of dogs and 1% of cats that others such as the American Pet Products Association estimate. Embrace believes that these numbers are overstated by survey biases because passionate pet parents respond to surveys at a higher rate than others surveyed.
2

At a high level though, it just isn't possible for 3% of the dog population and 1% of the cat population to be insured as this would imply a pet insurance industry far larger than reported data indicate.

How Fast Is the Pet Insurance Industry Growing?

Historically, pet insurance has grown 18% compounded annually from 2003 to 2008 while Packaged Facts assumes 25% going forward at the low end. At a 25% growth rate the pet insurance market will grow to around $664 million by 2012.

What Is the Market Share of Each Pet Insurance Company?

We estimate the market share at the end of 2008 of the three largest pet insurance companies to be VPI (64%), PetHealth Inc. (14%), The Hartville Group (12%). These market shares are based on written premium, not policies in force.

How Many Companies Sell Pet Insurance?

Embrace knows of ten companies actively selling pet insurance in the US:

1.

Embrace Pet Insurance (Beachwood, Ohio)

2.

Hartville Group (Canton, Ohio)

3.

PetFirst Healthcare (Jeffersonville, Ind.)

4.

PetHealth Inc. (Toronto, Canada)

5.

PetPartners (Raleigh, N. Carolina)

6.

Petplan USA (Philadelphia, Penn.)

7.

Pets Best Insurance (Boise, Idaho)

8.

Veterinary Pet Insurance (Brea, Calif.)

9.

Trupanion Pet Insurance (Seattle, Wash.)

10. Purina Pet Insurance (San Antonio, Tex.)

11. Healthy Paws (Bellevue, Wash.)

Footnotes
1

The policy in force (PIF) numbers are drawn from our internal estimates. The written premium numbers are taken

from NAIC Yellow Book data, SEC filings, and SEDAR filings for the large pet insurance companies and from our best estimates for the small companies.

Now a few points before buying a pet insurance policy

Is the rate of policy related to the age of the pet. Does the policy cover the cost of vaccination and routine costs. Does the policy cover caner therapies or injuries after an accident Do the coverage cover neutering and spaying What is deductible and what are the additional charges after it is satisfied.

Pet insurance has been available to pet owners for about twenty years. Pet insurance generally covers conditions from minor to life threatening, from routine check-ups to emergencies. Policy choices offer varied degrees of coverage and benefits. Insurance can provide a family with the assurance that the care their pet needs can be afforded. As you consider pet insurance, shop carefully and ask your veterinarian for advice.

Dog Health Insurance

by Pet Club India November 10, 2008 in Dog Health Should you seriously consider buying a dog health insurance policy? Yes, you should. Heres why health insurance for dogs is a good idea: Dog health insurance saves you money. As with just about all other costs, veterinary expenses have increased rapidly in recent years. Without dog medical insurance (or more accurately, veterinary insurance), you are responsible for paying for everything: routine checkups, preventive procedures, emergency care and disease treatments. That will run into hundreds of dollars. Why not get some help? Dog Health Insurance: Quick Cost Facts Health insurance for your dog, like health insurance for yourself, has annual premiums and deductibles. Pet insurance premiums depend on the breed of your dog and the type of policy you decide upon. If you have more than one dog, there is usually a reduced rate after the first policy. Dog health insurance deductibles can vary as well. The average annual deductible is about $100. You may choose among different coverage plans which are based on your dogs age, breed, and pre -existing medical conditions. Some policies even consider the dogs lifestyle; for instance, whether your dog is purely a pet or a watchdog, too.

Health Insurance for Dogs: Quick Coverage Facts

Dog insurance healthcare plans can vary greatly. Some canine health plans are quite comprehensive, covering annual checkups, routine care, vaccinations and other preventive medications, and spaying/neutering, as well as illnesses and accidents. Others only cover unexpected sickness or injuries.

Dog insurance coverage for emergencies begins immediately on most new dog health plans, with a 30-day waiting period for illness and other claims. Your dogs age can affect your dogs health insurance coverage. Typically, policies begin veterinary healthcare coverage when the dog is 6 to 8 weeks old, although some will start when the dog is younger. Similarly, some dog health insurance companies only will cover dogs under 8 years old unless the animal was already insured with them before turning 8.

Many dog health insurers will not cover your pet if she has a preexisting condition or a terminal illness. Some will insure the dog only if the condition is controlled or stable, usually for 6 months. With all these options, it is important you check out the various dog health insurance companies, their pet insurance policies and corresponding dog healthcare plans.

In short, if you care about your dog, you should care about his health. If you care about your wallet, you should care about your dogs health insurance coverage, too.