Is There Health Insurance For Dogs?

If you are a responsible pet owner, you know that you must constantly take your pet to the vet and that, unfortunately, maybe someday your pet will have a medical emergency. But did you know that health insurance for dogs also exists? Although they are already widespread in countries like England and the United States, they have only become better known in Europe recently. We’ll tell you details about this subject so you can assess whether it’s worth hiring one for your four-legged friend.

Know the types of health insurance for dogs that exist

There are two types of health insurance for dogs. In the so-called “free” option, you can choose your trusted veterinarian and then you can ask for reimbursement of payments, according to the amount previously agreed.

In the other option, which despite being more restricted, is more economical, you must select a medical professional  according to the alternatives that the insurance company offers you.

Among the benefits that these insurances offer, both in cases of accidents and in cases of illness, are:

• Diagnostic tests;
• Surgical interventions;
• Hospitalization;
• Medicines;
• Home care.

What are the limitations of dog health insurance?

But as with any insurance, you will also need to read the so-called “fine print” to avoid any nasty surprises. Therefore, you should know that, in order to hire a complete medical assistance, dogs must, in general:

• Be properly identified with a microchip;
• Be over three months old and under 9 years of age;
• Be healthy (they cannot have pre-existing illnesses);
• Comply with the official vaccination schedule.

Other matters you need to know before purchasing health insurance for your pet

Medical insurance for dogs also has other limitations. For example:

• If your pet tends to swallow foreign objects, be aware that this type of accident can only be covered once a year;
• Medicines are only covered during the time they are hospitalized;
• Hospitalization expenses are only paid from the moment the pet remains hospitalized for a period exceeding 24 consecutive hours;

And, even though it is obvious, it is always good to remember that  the expenses have a limit of the “sum assured by the insurance annuity”. And it varies according to the characteristics of the dog.

Additional services that pet health insurance cover

Insurers also offer additional coverage. Amongst them:

• Burial  or cremation expenses  , in the event of the pet’s death;
• Compensation if the animal dies in an accident or must be sacrificed as a result of it;
• 24-hour telephone assistance to make various queries about the pet’s health: symptoms, treatments, etc.

But in addition to health issues, medical insurance can also offer:

• Permanence in authorized canine homes or centers if the owner of the animal is hospitalized due to accidents, illnesses or childbirth.
• Compensation in case of pet theft.
• Expenses incurred in the search for a lost animal.  For example, the cost of advertisements in different media.
• Contact information for services such as hotels that allow pets, places where you can adopt pets, collection centers, training, pet shops, home caregivers, walkers, breeders, specialized stores, transfer of pets in means of transport , etc.

Assess the pros and cons before taking out health insurance for your dog

As you may have already noticed, it is a system very similar to human health insurance,  with its advantages and disadvantages.

Defenders of the system often claim that a veterinary emergency is enough to pay off the cost. This is an interesting fact, since according to statistics, the average occurrence of these events is two cases per year.

So, since it’s about your pet’s well-being, take the  time to learn about the many options the dog health insurance market has to offer. Clear all your doubts about it and choose without pressure.