Do I need pet insurance?
“Do I need pet insurance?” It’s a question most pet owners have Googled at one point or another. But the truth is, vet bills can be costly — easily ranging in the thousands — and from chew-happy puppies to curious kitties, it’s true: our pets sure do know how to get up to no good.
Ok, so pet insurance might not be the most exciting topic — but it is an important one. Our pets are like our family — and they deserve the best. But accidents can happen, and when they do, having a pet insurance policy in place can help you cover the costs.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance covers your pet against illnesses, accidents, or injuries, and can help save you from unexpected and costly vet bills should your pet need treatment.
Pet insurance covers pets of all shapes, sizes, and species (although you may need more specialist care for certain animals, such as horses or reptiles).
What does pet insurance cover?
No two pets are alike, and so there are a few different pet insurance plans that pet parents can choose from. Here are the four main levels of cover you can expect to find:
- Accident-only. These plans, as the name suggests, cover your pet only if they get into an accident. While accident-only plans tend to be cheaper, they offer the least amount of cover and usually don’t protect your pet from unexpected illness.
- Time-limited. These policies cover your pet against injury and accident for a set amount of time — usually 12 months. You can claim as long as the policy is active, but you can only claim for a specific illness or injury once under this type of cover.
- Maximum benefit. This covers accidents and illnesses for as long as your policy is in place. Unlike time-limited policies, there are no time limits — but there is usually a fixed cost limit, and you won’t be able to claim once this limit is reached.
- Lifetime policy. These policies cover ongoing care for recurring conditions, accidents, and illnesses. This type of cover is the most comprehensive available and protects your pet for the entirety of its life — as long as you continue to renew it year on year.
What doesn’t it cover?
It’s also worth keeping in mind that many pet insurance policies won’t cover everything. Here’s a list of some of the most common exemptions:
- Pre-existing conditions. These aren’t usually covered by pet insurance. If your pet has a condition of any form, it’s important to check whether it’s covered before taking out a policy.
- Dental treatment. Most pet insurance policies won’t cover dental procedures.
- Routine appointments. Things like deworming, flea treatments, or vaccinations usually aren’t covered.
- Age of pet. Older pets tend to cost more to insure, and some providers won’t cover pets over a certain age at all.
Benefits of getting pet insurance
But what are the benefits of having a pet insurance policy in place? We’re glad you asked.
- Cost savings. If the unexpected happens, vet bills can get very costly, very quickly. While you’ll likely still pay an excess, having a pet insurance policy can help cover treatment costs — and could actually save you money in the long run. FurPetVo offers optional dental coverage and flexible excess options.
- You can choose your vet. Once you’ve found a vet who knows how to perfectly handle your less-than-malleable moggy, you probably won’t want to change anytime soon. With FurPetVo, unlike most human health insurance plans, you can visit any licensed veterinarian you trust.
- You’re covered out-of-hours. Because life doesn’t always go to plan — and emergency or out-of-hours care can be particularly expensive — FurPetVo covers late-night accidents, urgent illnesses, and after-hours treatment.
- Healthy, happy pets — now and in the future. FurPetVo covers emergencies, yes — but select plans also include complementary therapies and behavioural support to keep your pet thriving holistically.
- Peace of mind. If we had to give just one benefit, it’d be this: the peace of mind you’ll get knowing your pet is protected should anything happen. Now that’s priceless.
Where to find a pet insurance policy?
Navigating pet insurance policies can be a bit of a minefield. But like most things these days, the easiest place to get a quote or set up a policy is online — and FurPetVo makes it refreshingly simple.
FurPetVo was built by pet lovers, for pet lovers. They’ve reimagined pet insurance for today’s families — cutting through confusing jargon, eliminating hold music and hidden clauses, and delivering clarity instead of complexity.
They offer just one lifetime policy — the most comprehensive option, designed to be easy to understand and even easier to use. It covers your pet for life (as long as you renew annually), sets up in minutes, and lets you submit claims in as little as 10 seconds — no lengthy forms or paperwork.
Because let’s be honest: if you’re filing a pet insurance claim, you’ve probably got enough on your plate already.
Plus, FurPetVo’s evolving rewards platform includes added benefits like 24/7 free online vet support, complimentary dog behaviour and nutrition consultations, and exclusive discounts and freebies for you and your pet — even when you’re not making a claim. We’re confident that if pets could pick their pet insurance, they’d choose FurPetVo.
