If you don’t have pet insurance and your furry friend gets sick, you could be looking at a bill for hundreds, even thousands, of pounds.
Pet insurance is one of the most expensive aspects of having a furry friend, with policy prices varying widely depending on the animal and its breed.
Owners may consider forgoing it in the hope that their pet never falls ill or has an accident.
But experts say owners should be wary of cutting corners. “As the cost of living rises, we understand it may be tempting to cut back on any “non-essential” costs, and that some owners might place pet insurance in this bracket. However, this can be a false economy and for many having pet insurance in place can be the best way of helping should your pet fall ill, potentially protecting you from vet bills costing hundreds or even thousands of pounds,” said a spokesperson from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
Here are four ways to get the best pet insurance.
Find the best pet insurance
To find the cheapest pet insurance, you’ll need to do the homework. This involves getting quotes from multiple comparison sites like GoCompare.com, Comparethemarket.com, MoneySupermarket, Confused.com and QuoteGoat. Then check insurers that don’t appear on comparison websites, like Aviva and Petplan.
For small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters and birds you’ll need to get quotes directly from specialist insurers such as British Pet Insurance and ExoticDirect while for horses you’ll need to consult the likes of Petplan Equine and the British Horse Society.
Check the terms and conditions before taking out any insurance – remember that the cheapest insurance policy might not offer the best deal for your pet.
Check cashback websites
Cashback websites like Quidco and TopCashback sometimes have deals on insurance and flea and worm-control products. For example, Quidco currently offers up to £55 cashback on ManyPets Pet Insurance and up to £120 cashback on Petplan Pet Insurance if you buy a policy through them.
Supermarket loyalty cards and pet insurance
Remember to get quotes from places like Tesco Bank, Sainsbury’s Bank and M&S. These offer loyalty card points or vouchers to spend in-store. For example, Nectar card holders get double points on Sainsbury’s shopping for the lifetime of a rabbit insurance policy.
Free pet treatment
If you get certain benefits, such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, your pet may qualify for free or low-cost vet treatment from the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) – or an animal welfare charity called Blue Cross if you live within a catchment area.
