Which dog insurance? Points to ponder

If you are considering taking out a dog insurance policy, you may be finding it a problem to know what to look for.  There are so many types of dog insurance cover, and so many providers each trying to convince you they are the best.

So what factors do you need to take into consideration before deciding on a dog insurance policy?

• What do you want to cover?  There is a huge variation in what is covered by different dog insurance policies.  You need to study what type of cover is offered by each policy and decide if you really need it.  For instance, do you                  think you are likely to travel abroad with your dog?  If you’re sure you won’t, there is no point in paying for a policy that includes cover for the cost of travel for a dog, or for a pet passport.
• What breed is your dog?  Dog insurance policies vary enormously in the cover they provide for different breeds of dog.  Many breeds have a hereditary tendency to a particular medical condition.  You need to check that a condition from which your dog is likely to suffer is not specifically excluded from the policy before you sign up to it.  Also, some breeds are more likely to be stolen than others.  Make sure that if your dog is one of these breeds, you actually will be covered if your dog is stolen.
• Age and health of your dog.  If your dog is a healthy youngster, don’t assume he doesn’t need dog insurance.  The more energetic he is, the more easily he can get into a scrape!  And remember that the younger your dog is when you start to insure him, the lower your dog insurance premiums will be.  Waiting till he actually gets sick could prove to be a big mistake.

There will certainly be a dog insurance policy out there somewhere, that is right for you and your pet.  You just need to persevere in finding it.  Don’t be carried away by the hype, read the small print and make sure you’re covered for everything you need.