SAVE - PET INSURANCE
PET INSURANCE
YOU COULD PAY FROM £3.35 PER MONTH*
Is pet insurance worth the money?
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
If your pet needs to see a vet, it’s going to cost you – if you receive certain benefits and live near to a PDSA centre, you can check if you’re eligible for free or low-cost pet care.
You could choose to save money in an account instead of insuring, but you’ll need to save a lot!
Make sure you compare policies and prices based on the age, breed and health history of your pet to find the best options
Should I insure my pet or just save money
It’s a big question for pet owners, but basically the decision comes down to the balance between two key factors – how likely is it that your pet will need care and could you afford the bill if they did.
If you’re a new pet owner it’s a good idea to do some research, because vet bills can literally hit the thousands for some treatments – oh and don’t forget theft if you’re a dog owner, according to police figures over 2,000 dogs were reported stolen in 2023, that’s the equivalent of 6 dogs a day!
Another option for pet owners is to set up a savings account and put money aside for potential vet bills, this approach is definitely for diligent savers but you could take advantage of interest rates as you save (just remember you may need to access the money at any time).
What pet insurance do I need?
If you opt to insure your pet, you could think of it a bit like paying your taxes – by paying a bit every month or year you’re funding services like the NHS, so if you get ill or injured you don’t have to pay out ££ on the spot.
Sadly there’s no NHS for pets, so if you aren’t paying into an insurance policy then expect some hefty bills if your pet needs treatment.
Pet insurance policies often cover some or all of the following – you’ll need to check the details on your policy to see that everything you need is covered:
- Vet bills to treat accident, injuries and new or ongoing illnesses
- Dental care following an accident, illness or injury
- Loss, theft or death
- Liability cover for injury or damage caused (for dogs)
Like car or bike insurance, there are different levels of cover available, so compare prices and policies to see which fits your circumstances best – you could even start with a cheaper rolling policy if you don’t feel there’s much risk, but remember, policy prices are likely to increase as your pet ages.
For most of us, our pets are literally part of the family so like anything, if you value it or it’s valuable then you should probably have back up savings or take out an insurance policy to protect it if things go wrong.
This information is intended for editorial purposes only and not intended as a recommendation or financial advice