Taking your pet to the V-E-T often comes with a hefty price tag. In fact, the average cost of an unexpected veterinary bill typically hits the £392.90 mark, according to research from Tesco Bank.
So, bagging a good insurance deal is undoubtedly crucial for when your pet is sick or injured. But, if you're unsure where on Earth to start, fear not.
One woman has now unveiled the advice that saved her hundreds of pounds on this year's pet insurance. Sally, who owns an impressive eight pets, credited her financial victory to Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert (MSE) newsletter.
Detailing her experience in its recent issue, she recounts: “I've five dogs, two cats [and] a horse to insure.
“They're not all due at the same time, but by shopping around for the best price and then haggling one current provider down and switching several policies to a new provider, I saved a WHOPPING £839 on last year's premiums with identical cover.”
For just her dogs, Sally reportedly saved £262 from switching up her pet insurance. To shop around, MSE recommends using different comparison sites including MoneySupermarket, Compare The Market and Confused.com.
Sometimes they each showcase different insurers at varying prices, MSE claims, so take your time and jot down the bargains that grab your eye.
On the flipside, it's also worth checking the direct sites of big providers like Petplan as they may promote certain offers that go unnoticed on comparison sites.
Prices for pet insurance can vary significantly, depending on the level of cover provided, so it's crucial to understand what you're getting before committing. Lifetime insurance, as the name suggests, protects your pet's health for life, provided you continue to renew the policy.
On the other hand, accident-only policies may only kick in during emergencies requiring urgent treatment, while time-limited options might offer coverage for about a year.
The cost of these policies is also influenced by various factors related to your pet, such as age, medical history, location, and breed. MSE notes that certain breeds are more prone to specific illnesses or conditions, which is typically reflected in a heightened insurance cost.
The Post Office, which has also written a guide on this, advises: “[Insurance] may also reimburse you for losses or expenses, such as having to cut short a holiday to be home for your pet.
“Ultimately, having pet cover could mean you avoid financial difficulty and a potential heart-breaking dilemma of having an animal that needs life-saving treatment but being unable to pay the bill. Compared to the potential costs, pet insurance may be a small price to pay.”
