Pet lovers should not assume cheapest deal is the best
With Britain being a nation of animal lovers it is little surprise that so many people decide to take out pet insurance in order to protect their pets in the events of sickness, injury, of even if the pet goes missing. However, in the current financial climate many people are looking to cut back on their outgoings, and are looking for the cheapest services and products possible.
Whilst most people don’t want to leave their precious pets without any protection in the event of a problem most now have to be careful about how much they spend on their cover. However, pet owners are being warned to ensure that they don’t sell themselves and their pets short by opting for the cheapest cover only to find that it is not adequate for their needs.
An official from the animal charity Blue Cross said that many people are tempted to choose the cheapest cover, and rather than finding out more about the policy simply choose a policy based on price along. However, he warned that this could be a big mistake and in the event of a problem with the pet the policyholder could end up paying out a fortune despite having cover in place.
Mandy Jones, head of re-homing services at animal care organisation Blue Cross, said: “Don’t just go for the cheapest quote, with pet insurance you do tend to get what you pay for.”
She added that having the cheapest pet insurance plan available could end up being a false economy, as the cover provided with the cheaper policies would be nowhere near as comprehensive as with slightly more expensive policies. The savings, should any issue arise with the pet, could be huge with a more comprehensive policy, as the cost of treatment can run into thousands.
Tags: Insurance, pet insurance, cheapest pet insurance plan, Blue Cross, Pets
Pet insurance ‘can save owners money’
February 13, 2008 by admin
Filed under News, News-Insurance
Pet insurance is an important consideration for any pet owner regardless of whether an animal is healthy or not, a leading pet charity claims. 
Jenny Davies, press officer for pet charity PDSA, pointed that insurance can provide cover for unexpected veterinary fees and an owner’s peace of mind.
“It is also an important consideration when thinking about the owner’s liability for their pet’s actions, such as damage to a person or property,” she said.
According to the charity, it is also important for pet owners to find out as much as possible about the breed of animal they have as this can play an important factor in how much vet’s fees come to.
Ms Davies said this was important as certain pets are more susceptible to certain conditions.
Meanwhile, recent research from the PDSA showed that one in three dogs and one in four cats are overweight
The data was collected from over 5,000 dogs assessed on the charity’s PetCheck vehicle and over 500 pets assessed in PDSA’s PetAid hospitals.
Pet costs ‘overlooked’ by Brits
April 13, 2007 by admin
Filed under News, News-Insurance
Pet insurance prices and veterinary fees are among many costs forgotten by pet owners in the UK, who are currently paying out a collective £520 million each year, according to Halifax Pet Insurance.
The insurance provider claims that the average cost of buying a dog in Britain is £282, or £92 for a cat, and that some 59 per cent of Britons did not research the potential cost of their pets before they made a purchase.
Vets bills alone were one of the most overlooked costs among the 1,000 people surveyed, with owners allegedly underestimating costs by as much as 103 per cent.
“It is worrying that so few pet owners are researching the upkeep costs for their chosen pet before selecting an animal,” said Halifax spokeswoman Vicky Watson.
She added that the cost of keeping a pet varies enormously between different breeds due to the amount of food required and the different ailments that would require expensive treatment.
Ms Watson finished: “Purchasing comprehensive pet insurance can mitigate the financial risk of a pet needing expensive treatment that an owner has not budgeted for.”
