Best Pet Insurance

Pet owners are at serious risk of underestimating the time and expense that having a sick or injured pet can have on their lives as fees for vets are expected to continue to rise by 20 per cent over the next three years.

It has been estimated that 40 per cent of the cost of owning a dog goes towards unexpected vet’s visits and that only 12 per cent of the UK’s 13 million dog owners insure their pets.

According to financial research company Defaqto, pet insurance can be a minefield for owners and its complexity is deterring consumers from taking out cover.

It says, that because different insurers pay claims per year or per condition and place some limits on particular claims, consumers are confused as to which policies are best to take out.

A cat typically lives for 14 to 15 years and its care can cost as much as

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Dog Owners know that a pet soon becomes a much-loved family member. It would be terrible to have to place a cash value on your pet’s life. If you do not have adequate Insurance you could be faced with that heart-rending decision. Do you want that extra trauma if your dog is sick or injured?

Increased veterinary fees and expenses mean you could be faced with a bill for hundreds or even thousands when your pet becomes unwell. The costs rise and pet owners without insurance are forced to decide how much they will spend to keep their best friend alive. It makes sense to take out a pet insurance policy to avoid major unforeseen expenses.

Like any other family insurance, pet insurance helps you put a small sum away now to avoid a hefty unexpected bill. There is a wide range of cost and cover options so it is a good idea to shop around online to see what is available to you.

Do you need pet insurance?

The answer is a resounding yes: apart from covering vet fees, policies also include your legal liability as a pet owner. If your pet causes a road accident, damages property or bites or scratches someone, you will be covered and the company will appoint lawyers to deal with the claim.

At the stage of getting a pet, most owners do not think about the inevitable unforeseen expenses of illness or accident. Even if your pet lives indoors there are still dangers. They may sustain an injury in the home, drink or eat something poisonous to them, or swallow a toy. And they can still fall prey to an illness or disease specific to their breed. Of course if your pet goes outdoors the possibilities of injury or infection are higher. Unless you can afford to set aside at least $1000 to cover vet bills every year, you should find that pet insurance is the better budget option.

Like most types of policy, pet insurance is a tradeoff between cost and cover. The cost will increase with the scope of cover.

Policy Cover

Like most types of policy, pet insurance is a tradeoff between cost and cover. The cost will increase with the scope of cover. The pet owner can usually choose whether to take inclusive cover that pays for everything from routine checkups and vaccinations to accidents and chronic illnesses, or a lower cost policy for major treatment and emergencies only. In addition you can cut the cost of either option by paying an excess - a set sum is your responsibility then the policy picks up the balance up to the policy limit. Most plans place limits on annual, per-incident, per-illness or lifetime costs.

Be sure to ask whether the policy covers existing conditions and breed specific ailments, such as hip dysplasia. Your pet’s age also affects the cover available: according to the breed you could find some companies will not offer cover after the age of eight to ten years old.

Cost

Payment options for pet insurance include flat fees or excesses or deductibles and/or co-payments. Insurance premiums are affected by age, health and breed, as well as the type of animal. You normally need to settle the bill first and then claim from the insurer, so it is worth setting aside an emergency fund for this. Ask whether premiums increase with the age of your pet. If you have more than one pet you can usually get a multi policy discount.

Choose an insurer

Once you decide on your budget and the type of cover required, you can look for a policy to suit you.

When you approach pet insurance companies these are some ideas to help your research:

List your pet insurance priorities and check each one off in turn. Do your due diligence on the chosen insurance company. Read consumer and professional reviews, focusing on how long they have been established and how fast they settle claims. You should be able to look at a sample policy summary before you buy. Check the benefits, maximum payments and the time limit for making claims. If you have a question, put it in writing and get a written reply so you can refer to it in the event of a claim.

Keep a file of all papers relating to your pet, starting with the adoption or purchase and include receipts and insurance papers to keep track of expense and ensure you claim your entitlement.

Pet insurance is an unavoidable expense but attention now can give your best friend a longer and healthier life, and extend the enjoyment and love you get from your relationship.

Adrienne Davis publishes Kevin’s Doggie Tips with regular Dog Tips Updates. Get moneysaving tips for pet owners at http://dogs.homebusinessadvisers.com

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Therapy dogs are dogs that are canine good citizens and are well trained and of a nature that is suitable for interaction with humans who are unwell. Studies have shown that interaction with pets and the special bonding it brings, helps the sick heal faster and trauma patients are known to come out of silence, grieving, or shock by interacting with pets.

An innovative program set up by Therapy Dogs International is “children reading to dogs.” Handlers and their dogs visit libraries and schools regularly and interact with children who have trouble reading. The dogs make friends with children who are encouraged to read the dog a story. The friendship and bonding between the child and dog as well as the non judgmental attitude of the happy animal encourages the child to read aloud to the dog who sits with a smile on his face and a wag in his tail. The interaction instills confidence in the child as well as improved learning.

Therapy dogs also provide valuable relief during disasters by helping affected families and persons as also relief workers. The animals provide comfort and an understanding that is invaluable in sad situations. Petting and hugging or grooming the dogs provides release of anxiety and stress. Dogs help heal and overcome problems and grief. It is unbelievable the kind of understanding a dog can show. So, dogs regularly work at bombing sites, earthquake affected areas as well as places whether flood or hurricanes have struck.

There are therapy dogs who regularly visit hospitals, old age homes, and nursing homes to help heal. The interaction with dogs brings a smile to face of patients and many dogs participate in physical therapy programs as well as in children’s wards where there are many children fighting illnesses. The dogs instill a positive attitude in patients and many look forward to the visit each day. Patients are encouraged to talk to the dogs, pet them, or even groom them. Bonding with the dogs speeds up healing and brings happiness. Many of the dogs are natural clowns and perform tricks to entertain the sick.

To be a therapy dog, both the handler and dog have to undergo special training, be of good health, be well groomed, and be dedicated to the cause. The dog must have a clear health certification and not be shedding his coat or have any allergies. The dog needs to be calm and obedient as he will have to take hospital activities and noise in his stride. The handler will need to devote time in training the dog, enjoy the work, and take insurance against unforeseen accidents. Owners interested in pet-therapy work will need to register with a group in the area where they live and find out from their dog club or trainer whether the dog they have is of a suitable nature and breed to be a good and successful therapy dog.

Therapy dogs show great patience, love, and understanding and the interaction is magical as even terminally ill patients are known to get better. Dogs boost morale, provide affiliation and touch, encourage love and communication, stimulate activity and exercise, help patients deal with depression, loss, and grief, and lower hypertension as well as blood sugar levels.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888Discuss.com/pet/ , the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for Pet Forum including topics on pet health, pet care and nutrition, grooming pet at home, dog, cat’s health issues and more. He also freelances for the premier Web Directory site http://www.1866Webdirectory.com.

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