Most of us know a dog is for life, not just for Christmas (though nobody seems to have told the pop star Justin Bieber, who recently gave away his chow chow puppy, Tod, after having the pet for only a few months). But anybody who has become a dog owner since December 25 should think about one thing they may have forgotten — insurance.
Should I insure my puppy?
Only one in four dog owners in the UK have pet insurance, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). There is no NHS for pets, although the Blue Cross charity will help owners who are on certain means-tested benefits. Vet bills can run into the thousands.
Which type of cover should I choose?
Most policies are annual contracts. There are four kinds: lifetime, maximum-benefit, 12-month and accident-only.
Lifetime cover promises a maximum amount that can be claimed per year, even if it is for a single condition. This type of policy can suit a pet that develops a complicated illness.
Maximum-benefit insurance pays out a fixed amount for each illness or injury. By contrast, 12-month policies are time-limited, while accident-only cover does not pay out for chronic conditions.
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Some policies protect your liability if your dog attacks someone, but it is worth checking the small print.
How much does it cost?
It depends on breed and age, as well as the level of cover. Premiums have been falling.
The average cost of insuring a pedigree dog was £156 a year at the end of 2016, according to comparethemarket.com. Maximum-benefit policies are typically the most expensive, at £247 a year on average, and accident-only ones are the cheapest, typically costing £52.
However, certain breeds cost more than others – lifetime cover for a Rottweiler is £446. Smaller breeds are cheaper to insure, as are non-pedigree breeds, the latter being less prone to genetic conditions.
Top tip
Read the small print. Typically, pre-existing illnesses are not covered. Policies may not include routine treatments such as vaccinations and blood tests.