How Do I Choose Pet Insurance?
When it comes to our pets, we want to ensure they have the highest level of cover possible - so that they can access the care they need should the worst happen. However, whilst that’s what we want, it’s not always our reality. In fact, our recent research project, ‘Protecting Your Pet: What You Need To Know’, found that 37% of people who purchase pet insurance don’t actually have enough cover. And as 1 in 3 people purchase their policy based on price alone, this isn’t too difficult to understand!
At Compare by Review, we want to change that narrative by moving widespread focus from price exclusively to prioritising customer experience. We know that pet insurance will often be chosen based on price alone with the help of price comparison websites - which can lead to issues later on down the line. It’s our understanding that whilst this can seem a momentary success, it can leave our pets underinsured and force us to part with our pennies when a claim happens.
So, how can we change this?
But of course, there’s always more to think about - which is what we’ll explore below.
1. Consider Your Excess
When choosing your policy, it’s important to consider your excess expectations - otherwise, you could be in for a shock should you ever make a claim. Excess is the agreed amount of money that you will need to pay every time a claim is made. So, it’s vital that you choose a policy that comes with a reasonable excess cost - ensuring that you can afford the fee.
2. Maximum Vet Fees
Maximum vet fees are something that many people forget when purchasing a policy, so it’s a good idea to be on the lookout for them. These fees represent the maximum value that your insurer will put towards any veterinary fees. So, in theory, you’ll be looking for a higher maximum fee if you’d like a higher level of support.
3. Read Reviews
We’ve already touched upon this, but there’s never a bad time to revisit. When purchasing your policy, it’s important that you browse the past reviews and experiences - because there is no one better to comment on the policy or how claims are handled.
Even if price remains your priority, we’d still encourage you to investigate past reviews as well.
4. Age restrictions
For some insurers, your pet’s age will come into the equation when purchasing a policy and it’s important that you identify this from the get-go. Typically, insurance policies will start from anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks. This means that any younger and your pet won’t be covered.
Similarly, some insurers enforce a maximum age limit for their policies. So, if you have a matured pet, you’ll need to be vigilant when finding a good policy.
We know that selecting an insurance policy for your pet can be an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t need to be. By shifting your priorities when searching, you can ensure that your beloved companion has the cover it needs with no fuss.
Searching for more advice? Then check out our bespoke pet insurance page for all the information you could need!