Having a pet can be costlier than you think, especially if the pet becomes ill or is injured. Veterinary bills can soon mount up, and often this is to an unaffordable amount. Naturally, you don’t want to compromise the wellbeing of the extra member(/s) of your family, so pet insurance is a really good way to protect you financially, as well as to ensure your pet receives the most suitable care.

Even the most basic pet insurance will usually cover most, if not all, of your pet’s veterinary treatment. This is probably the most important aspect of the insurance, so shop around and see what the various insurers contribute towards these fees. All policies will also have 3rd party liability cover included, protecting you financially against any damage to property or people resulting from the actions of your pet. Most also offer compensation in the event that your pet is lost or dies.

The cheapest pet insurance policies usually contain restrictions on the maximum length or cost of treatment for your pet. This cover is perfectly adequate however, if your main concern is the cost of treatment immediately after an accident or a serious injury.

More comprehensive policies can also be purchased, such as life policies, which are intended to cover the treatment of ongoing conditions such as arthritis. These policies will pay out all the while premiums are being paid. Other, more comprehensive policies can cover boarding fees for your pet if you are hospitalised, as well as insure your pet to travel.

When shopping around for pet insurance, do be sure to find out if there are any restrictions which may disqualify your pet for insurance: Some insurers do not cover pets with pre-existing medical conditions, nor do they insure pets which fall outside of the lower and upper specified age boundaries.