The importance of insuring your dog in case of illness or accident
Just like humans, pets are entitled to their own health insurance. You can insure your dog to cover all or part of your pet's health-related expenses.
More and more pet owners are choosing to take out insurance for their pets. Find out why it is important to have insurance for your dog in case of illness or accident.
How does pet health insurance work?
Taking out pet health insurance allows you to be reimbursed for part of the health costs during visits to the vet for regular monitoring, but also in the event of illness or accident. It also covers medication and additional examinations (a scan, an X-ray, analyses, etc.).
A mutual insurance policy for dogs therefore allows you to be reimbursed for part of the costs incurred following an accident or illness. To get reimbursed, the steps are quite simple. Following the visit to the veterinarian, the latter will give you a treatment sheet as well as his invoice. All you have to do is send these documents to your mutual insurance company. You will be reimbursed partially or in full according to the conditions of your contract.
When is the best time to join a mutual insurance company?
If you want to buy pet insurance, do it as soon as possible. This is because most insurance companies have age limits. Solly Azar, for example, offers insurance exclusively for dogs and cats between the ages of 3 months and 8 years.
For some contracts, it is no longer possible to subscribe when the animal has exceeded a defined age, which varies between 5 and 8 years of the animal. This does not mean that your dog will no longer be able to be insured once this age is reached, but that you must start the contract before its 5th (or 6th, 7th, or 8th) birthday.
When you take out a health insurance contract, a waiting period must be respected. It can range from 48 hours to six months. This means that during this time, the guarantees do not apply. This period also allows you to certify that your pet is in good health. This is why it is in your best interest to insure your dog when it is still young.
What care is reimbursed by pet insurance?
As with human health insurance policies, most pet insurance policies offer different levels of coverage. All policies cover veterinary visits, exams, emergency care, and medications.
If your dog faces more serious health problems, part of the hospitalization or surgery costs may be reimbursed to you. With certain contracts, you can benefit from coverage of so-called prevention costs, i.e., all costs related to vaccination, sterilization, or even treatments against parasites, hygiene products, or dewormers.
In most cases, for this care, you will be entitled to an annual flat rate. The amount varies depending on the insurance contracts. Some contracts may cover care costs or veterinary fees if you are abroad. Finally, you have the option of having your dog insured if it injures someone or if it is responsible for damage.
What care is not covered by dog insurance?
Not all health expenses are covered by your pet insurance. Any illnesses or accidents that occurred prior to signing the contract or that occur during the waiting period and that have consequences on your pet's health will not be reimbursed.
Costs incurred due to illnesses that could have been avoided through mandatory vaccination will not be covered. The same applies to accidents that occur during a sports competition or hunting activity and problems that arise during cosmetic surgery.
Good to know: hereditary or congenital diseases are not covered by animal insurance or mutual funds.
What are the rates for mutual insurance for dogs?
For your health insurance for your dog or cat, you will have the choice between different formulas, from the simplest to the most comprehensive. They do not all offer the same services and are therefore at variable prices.
The deductibles applied also vary depending on the contract. If you have several animals, your insurance may allow you to benefit from a reduction in contributions. Before signing your contract, check the amount of the fixed amount for prevention costs, the annual reimbursement ceiling, the reimbursement rate for all costs, and the amount of contributions.
Depending on the formula you choose, the reimbursement rate will be between 50 and 100%. You will need to choose insurance that allows your pet to stay healthy while taking into account the quality/price ratio. Keep in mind that the higher the guarantees, the more expensive the premiums. Whatever your budget, you will find insurance for your pet. Given the prices of veterinary procedures, it will quickly pay for itself.
Taking out insurance for your dog gives you many advantages. The health costs that you spend on your pet will be reimbursed, partially or completely. Opting for an insurance contract for your pet is therefore an excellent choice, and more and more French people are taking the plunge.
