As you compare pet insurance policies online you will notice that insurers do not cover pre-existing medical conditions making it vital to ensure that your pet is bred correctly and given the best possible start in life to avoid any ailments. Here we look at how to ensure you buy from a responsible breeder and what to look for from a pet insurance policy. 

How to buy from a responsible breeder 

Unfortunately there are no guarantees about a pet’s long term health when you buy it as a puppy or kitten. However, there are steps you can take to ensure it comes from a good home. Here are some tips: 

• Look for recommendations: Ask for referrals from your vet or from other owners of the breed you are interested in.  
  
• The breeder’s interest in you: Typically a good breeder will not sell to the first person who wants to buy the pet. Instead they will want to ensure that their puppy or kitten is going to a good home and is concerned about the environment you can offer. 
  
• Appropriate documentation and information: Can the breeder provide you with appropriate documentation on the early vaccinations and veterinary visits of the pet? For dogs you should receive Kennel Club registration papers in the UK. Breeders may also offer a brief period of free insurance – typically for four-six weeks; and give you a week’s supply of the pet’s current diet and guidelines to when it should be fed.  
  
• Visits: Can you visit the breeder’s home before the puppy/kitten is born to meet their animals? If you can visit, use this opportunity to see if the animals in the home are fit and healthy; whether they move freely; whether they are kept in clean and comfortable surroundings; and whether the pets appear to be confident and happy. Look to see if the pets are social and how they interact with other animals.  
  

Why take out pet insurance? 

Once you have bought your pet you shouldn’t waste time arranging for pet insurance as veterinary bills can be high particularly when the dog or cat is young. Thankfully, there have been great advances in veterinary medicines and equipment in recent years meaning that previously untreatable illnesses and diseases can often be dealt with but typically this will come with a high charge. With pet insurance however, you can explore the treatment options available knowing you will have financial support with the cost of the bills. 

When choosing a pet insurance policy you should look for the following cover options: 

• Veterinary bills: Check for caps placed on the amount you can claim per condition and per year. Also look to see if complementary therapies are included and whether there are any exclusions – for example, pre-existing conditions are not usually included and you may have to pay a higher excess for older pets. 
  
• Death benefit: Some insurance policies will pay out if your pet dies of one of a select group of illnesses or as a result of an accident. Typically you will receive a payout equalling the purchase price or market value of the pet.  
  
• Kennel/cattery fees: If you are hospitalised during an emergency some insurers will cover kennel/cattery fees up to a limited period. 
  
• Holiday cover: This can cover accommodation and travel expenses in case you are forced to cancel or curtail a holiday due to your pet suffering an illness or accident. 
  
• Overseas cover: Should you want to take your pet abroad, ensure you will be covered for veterinary fees overseas. 
  
• Third party cover: If your dog damages someone else’s property or injures a third party then you will usually be held responsible for the resultant costs. Third party cover can help with these costs. Bear in mind that this cover is not necessary for cats as they are considered free spirits by the courts and owners are not responsible for their actions. 
  

Is there anything else to consider? 

While the level of cover is a vital consideration when choosing pet insurance policies also consider how long this cover applies for – typically there are three choices available: 

• Cover for a set period: With these policies, which typically last for 12 months, once the policy ends so does the cover for a pet’s treatment. 
  
• Cover limit per condition: This will cover up to a set amount towards the treatment of a condition and once this limit is reached no further cover is provided. 
  
• Lifetime cover: The most complete form of pet insurance available this offers a cover limit per condition per year meaning that as long as the policy is renewed your pet can continue to receive help towards treatment for ongoing conditions. 
  

In addition, when comparing policies pay attention to the excess levels that apply as this is your contribution towards a claim.  

Where to get pet insurance 

As with any form of insurance you should shop around before settling on the right pet insurance policy for you. To do this you can use a pet insurance comparison website which can compare more than 10 policies with one search. Just remember to look beyond price alone and also consider the level of cover you’re receiving for your money.