What is always covered by pet insurance?
The exact cover and reimbursement vary depending on the provider and the pet insurance package, but certain items are always included in the standard cover. The basic package of every pet insurance policy includes, at the very least, (partial) reimbursement for the following:
- Consultations with a vet
- Surgery
- Blood tests, X-rays and laboratory tests
- Accidents
- (Registered) Medicines
- Euthanasia
Please note: the exact amount reimbursed varies by insurer and by policy. You will always pay an excess, which can range from 10% to 50% of the costs incurred. In addition, some insurers also apply a compulsory or voluntary excess. So be sure to pay close attention to this when taking out a policy!
What is sometimes covered by pet insurance?
As well as treatments that are (partially) covered by all insurers, there are also veterinary costs that are covered as standard with one insurer but not by others. These include, amongst others:
- Joint conditions
- Castration or spaying
- Physiotherapy
- Behavioural therapy
- Fitting an identification microchip
- MRI or CT scans
- Transport in a veterinary ambulance
- Care abroad
Here too, the level of cover varies by insurer and (supplementary) policy. Using the dog insurance or cat insurance comparison tool, you can easily compare the cover offered by different providers and policies.
What do you usually need supplementary insurance for?
Some types of care for your pet can only be covered by supplementary insurance. For a (small) additional monthly premium, you extend your insurance cover. This applies, amongst other things, to:
- Cremation or funeral of your pet
- Dental care
- Vaccinations
The range of supplementary insurance policies varies greatly between providers. Some insurers offer four different supplementary options to choose from, whilst others only offer two.
What does pet insurance not cover?
There are also certain things that are (virtually) never covered by pet insurers.
- Is your dog or cat overweight? You cannot claim for costs relating to special diet food or dietary supplements.
- Known hereditary or congenital conditions are usually excluded from cover as well.
- Cosmetic procedures and other treatments that are not medically necessary are also not covered.
There are also costs that may be reimbursed, but not under your pet insurance. For example, if your dog or cat has caused damage, this falls under liability insurance rather than dog or cat insurance.
Finally, the terms and conditions and exclusions also play a role in determining whether a claim is paid. These include the waiting period for pet insurance, as well as any conditions your pet had before you took out the policy. These are also excluded from cover by all pet insurers.
