Greetings, pet lovers!
It's wonderful to have you here, and I'm even more excited to have shared the big announcement with you yesterday. If you missed it, no worries! I’m thrilled to let you know that I am becoming a dog trainer, and The Gibbons House will evolve into a brand rather than just a blog—though the blog will continue! It will take on a more pet and dog-focused theme, but I will still write about neurodivergence, travel, and keeping up with the Monthly Gardening Guide.
Just a heads up: you might notice some changes over the coming weeks, both on the blog and on social media.
Thank you so much for being here with me as I embark on this exciting and nerve-wracking journey! I truly appreciate your support.
Now, let’s dive into today’s post! I’m delighted to share some insights about pet insurance and what you need to know.
Pet insurance is available for almost every type of pet nowadays. Though many companies tend to stick to the majority of animals, like dogs and cats, there are specific insurers who offer policies for more exotic pets, like rabbits, reptiles, and more.
Yeah, I know. Rabbits are classified as exotic—how weird is that!? In this post, we are going to explore the pros and cons of insuring your pet, the risks for not doing so, some of the best policy providers and the different types of policies out there. Before we delve into all that, though...
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is much like house or car insurance. It provides help covering the costs if something goes wrong, such as your pet getting ill or injured. These policies typically cover your pet's surgeries, medications, and any recovery and rehabilitation measures needed, including physiotherapy or hydrotherapy.
Some policies cover things like health checks, dental care, and vaccines, though not many do.
Every policy provider is different, so it’s super important that if you choose to insure your pet, you read the fine print before signing anything. Look for exclusions, waiting periods, and any limits on coverage to ensure you understand what you’re signing up for. If you are unsure what you are looking for or worried about missing something, ask a friend or family member to help you figure it out.
You can pay monthly or yearly, but many companies charge extra for paying monthly.
Types of insurance and choosing the right one
It's not just a case of finding a policy and going for it; you have to choose what type of policy you want first. Some companies offer more than others, so it's best to go in with an idea of what you want the insurer to cover and provide. It’s also a good idea to look at reviews on companies and the coverage they provide. Always check things like their payout rate for claims, customer service ratings, and people’s experiences with them. Trust Advisor is a great place to check these out.
Websites like Compare the Market and MoneySuperMarket can help you compare policies, what they provide, and their prices.
There are a few types of coverage to suit different needs and budgets:
Accident-only plans cover injuries resulting from accidents, such as broken bones or torn ligaments. They DO NOT cover illnesses or pre-existing conditions.
Illness plans provide coverage for medical conditions such as diseases or infections. Some policies will cover pre-existing conditions, but many do not. Those that do often charge more.
Wellness plans focus on preventative care, including routine check-ups, vaccines, and dental cleanings as part of the premium.
Always read up on each company's policy, as they will vary slightly, with some offering what others do not, often at a higher price.
A pet's age, history, and breed can alter the policies available to you and affect the price. Be aware that the older an animal is, the more expensive the coverage tends to be. Some companies stop insuring pets at certain ages, and if you have a pet with a condition, transferring to another company may prove tricky. It's worth checking if the company you are considering will provide coverage until your pet sadly reaches their end. Additionally, some policies will cover the euthanasia and cremation of your pet. I know that’s not something you want to think about, but it should be a consideration. Cremating your pet privately can become costly, and allowing your veterinary surgery to handle it could result in a mix-up of ashes or, even worse, the loss of them!
Some of the most popular and well-known pet insurers in the UK are:
Petplan (known to be very expensive, but highly rated)
Admiral
Animal Friends
Tescos bank (This is who I am with and I can vouch for them, they have a 24 hour vet phone, customer service is great and they paid out quickly straight to the vets as I didn't have the money to cover the payment.)
More Than
Bought By Many
Pros of insuring your pet
I'm going to tell you a story here first because I think it's an important one to include.
When I first went to meet Anayah, a GSD/Husky cross dog, at a local rescue shelter, I was questioning if I should get insurance or not for her. The previous family pet KT was never insured and she never needed it, she was a robust little thing.
I went in with an open mind, deciding that I would meet her first before concluding if I would insure her.
Well. This dog literally bounces into the reception on her back paws like a kangaroo, launches herself at a nearby teddy and attacks it with all her force, sprints around the room saying hi to everyone she could see and just acting like a nutter. I instantly fell in love with her!
I took her for a walk around the grounds with the shelter staff and then had some time to play with her and get to know her in one of the playpens. She was (and still is!) goofy as heck, super clumsy and ridiculously energetic.
If you want to read the entire story of how I rescued her, you can here.
It was at this moment that I knew there was no way this dog was going to get through life without breaking herself. I also noticed when she slowed to a walk, she sort of limped a bit. Turns out that was just because she had been malnourished prior to being at the rescue, but I am so glad I did insure her because sure enough... she broke herself. Twice, so far. Hopefully there won't be any more but who knows.
Back in November 2023, she tore one of her ACLs. 6 months later she did the other one.
X-rays, 4 Surgeries, 12 months and £4000 worth of insurance claims later, here we are at the other end of a very long and stressful road. But knowing that she was insured took one of the worries off my mind. I didn't have to figure out where the money was coming from, and I knew no matter what the vets had to do, it would be covered (unless they did something experimental or weird, but they didn't!).
You can read all about our ACL journey, just by clicking here!
I know at least 4 other dog owners who have had to claim off their pet insurance, and some cat owners too!
Having pet insurance can give you peace of mind. Having to find £4000 would have been impossible for me, and still would be!
Many companies offer a variety of plans to work with you, your pet and your budget, and though some have terrible customer service, there are many companies who go above and beyond. Some policies come with a 24-hour Vetphone service if you need a bit of guidance and they can advise you to go and see a vet if needed, or if you can sort the issue out at home, others offer training tips and online forums. You can even have multiple pets on one plan, making life simpler and often cheaper than having multiple premiums.
You can pay for insurance monthly or yearly depending on your circumstances, making it easier for you to budget. And when you do budget, you don't have to worry about putting extra money aside should your pet need it because you have the insurance covering your back.
If your pet requires surgery, often any follow-up appointments and medication is included in the After Care from the vets or included in the claim to the insurance, meaning most of the expenses will be covered, though there may be hidden ones along the way.
Cons of insuring your pet and things to consider
It's not always what it's cracked up to be, though.
If you have to make a claim on your pet insurance for any reason, the premium often goes up the next year to cover the payout. Here’s a little tip: if you’ve been with a company for a year or more and are struggling to cover the cost of the policy, contact your provider and ask if there’s anything they can do to help. Play the "I have been/want to be a loyal customer, but I'm thinking of leaving" card, and you might find they offer you a better deal. They might not, but mine did when I asked!
As I mentioned before, your pet's age will play a key role in the price. Anayah is 6 this year, and when she turns 7, she will be classified as a senior dog due to her breed, which means her insurance will increase to cover the higher risk.
Many companies do not cover pre-existing conditions, so if your dog has an injury or illness that requires the policy to pay out, you may find it hard, pricey, or even impossible to find another policy to cover your dog's issues if you decide to switch providers.
Some policies won’t pay out on an issue that arises within a short time frame at the start of the coverage. The one I got for Anayah had a 14-day waiting period; if anything had happened within those 14 days, it wouldn’t have been covered. This is their way of reducing the risk of people sneaking pre-existing conditions into the policy!
Only a handful of companies cover exotic animals. If you have a dog/cat and an exotic animal, you may struggle to be able to get them both on the same plan, that's not to say it's impossible, though. You just have to look for the right company.
If you are planning on breeding your pet (something you should only be doing if you have proper certification, have spoken to an experienced vet and are doing it for the right reasons,), many policies will not cover medical care for pregnancy-related issues.
All policies come with an excess. This refers to the amount of money that you, the policyholder, will have to pay when making a claim. For example, if you put a claim in for £500 and your policy excess is £100, you would have to pay the first £100 and the insurer would cover the remaining £400. Different policies come with different excess rates. If you are willing to pay more for excess, your policy may very well be cheaper than if you had a lower one.
Not to mention pet insurance can be costly, depending on the size, breed and age of your pet. If you have a puppy, your insurance may be lower, but remember that as they age, the premium is likely to increase too. It's a lot of money to pay monthly or yearly, and for some it's just too much.
But if you can't afford insurance coverage or the vet bills should something go wrong, you should reconsider getting a pet. They become your responsibility, and it would be terrible if you lost your pet to something that could have been treated if only you have the money or the insurance to cover the costs.
However, you could also end up paying the insurance and never have to use it, in which case it's a waste of money, but it's there if you do need it which is nice to know and can ease anxiety.
Alternatives to insurance
Though they aren't as reliable as pet insurance, there are alternatives.
You could start a savings account specifically for your pet. Instead of paying the insurance company, you put the money aside into an account that is only to be used for your pet for vet bills. This can be a great way to have money aside if you need it. This was the option I was thinking about going for before deciding to go for insurance, though if I had of done it this way, I would not have had the funds to cover the £4000 when it happened as I had only had Anayah a year, there is no way I would have had that much saved! Even if you do end up getting insurance, it still may be worth keeping some money aside just in case the insurance doesn't pay out the full amount or for vaccines, check-ups and preventative care like worming and flea treatments.
Following on from that, you could subscribe to a care plan at a veterinary surgery. Many vets now offer monthly plans where you pay a pre-determined amount and it covers your pet for checkups, dental health, vaccines and preventative care. This will not cover any medical expenses for illnesses or injuries, though.
Payment plans are often offered by veterinary surgeries if you need to space out the payments for a medical expense, not all places do this though, and many will have a limit of when it needs to be paid by. Not to mention if something else was to go wrong with your pet, you may find yourself in some serious debt.
Conclusion
If you’re considering getting a pet or wondering about pet insurance, I totally understand! It’s definitely a tough decision, and there are risks involved no matter what you choose.
Ultimately, bringing a pet into your life means taking on the responsibility for their well-being, including providing healthcare if they need it. I get that life can throw unexpected challenges your way, and finances can sometimes get tight. However, your pet won’t understand why they’re in pain if you can’t afford to help them.
I know this can feel a bit overwhelming, and it’s always okay to reach out to friends or family for support if you find yourself in a tough spot. Just be cautious with credit cards or loans unless you’re completely confident in your ability to manage those payments and avoid falling into debt.
Pets truly enrich our lives and bring so much joy! The least we can do is ensure they’re well cared for.
While I can’t make this decision for you, I hope that having all the information helps you think things through and guides you toward what feels right for you and your pet. Every situation is unique, and you’ll know what’s best for your circumstances. Take Anayah and KT for example. KT was never insured and never needed veterinary care other than towards the end of her life, but all of the bills were less than most excess requirements anyway. Anayah, on the other hand, has claimed £4000 from the insurance company.
Wishing you the best of luck in your decision!
Did this blog post help you!? I'd love it if you comment below or connect with me on social media and let me know.
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