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Should I buy pet insurance via a comparison website, like I do my car and home cover?

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I have two pedigree Scottish terrier dogs which I insure for £42 per month.

Their cover is coming up for renewal, should I compare pet insurance in the same way that we compare providers of electricity, gas, house or car insurance?

What criteria should I look for in a policy as I have always used the insurer that the breeder recommended?

S.M, via email

Barking mad: Should you buy pet insurance via a comparison website. We answer the question. [Picture posed by actors]

Linda Mckay of This is Money replies: Given that you can now buy pet insurance from your breeder’s recommendation, your local supermarket or even a squiggly TV cartoon character it is worth considering what is on the market; how it best suits your needs as you have two pets and might be able to gain a multiple pet discount; the age of your dogs and if there are any pre-existing conditions.

A quick online survey gave me price variations of between £4, £12 and £16 per month for some basic cover per pet, over limited time and with a standard excess of £65-99.

It seems most insurers also offer ‘silver’ and ‘gold’ variations on the policies for a higher monthly premium, so with some judicious research you might save yourself a considerable sum each month.

I asked veterinary experts what pet owners should look for in policy wording and how best it might suit them and their pets needs.

Experts cannot advise on which policy to take but say: When conducting your own pet insurance comparison it is worth checking that each of the following categories is included: vet fees, death benefit, holiday cancellation, boarding fees, theft/straying, advertising/reward, third party liability and accidental damage.

Next as a pet owner you should be aware of some of the exclusions too: vaccinations, spaying and castration, pre-existing illnesses or injuries and flea control.

Also as you have dogs it is worth checking if your pet is insured for travel outside the UK, as additional cover may have to be purchased.

For dog owners, there are some types of dogs that cannot be insured, such as guard dogs, racing dogs, working dogs or dogs that have been registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Extra costs for travelling with your pet are also not covered such as the pet passport (ask your vet about this and the price of appropriate rabies vaccination for EU travel and microchipping) visit www.defra.gov.uk for details.

Linda Mckay adds: Pet insurance is not a legal requirement unlike car insurance but without it a surprise vet bill could have an enormous affect on family finance. So with rising veterinary costs, making sure you get the best value out of your pet insurance policy is important.

  More... Compare: Find the best pet insurance Pet owners left without cover get lucky break as Ombudsman backs complaint against banks

The policy premium is based on a number of factors such as your pet's age, sex, breed and medical history.

An older pet is likely to cost more than a younger pet and a pedigree will cost more than a crossbreed. The amount of money you paid for your pet may also come into the equation. Shop around you might be surprised.  

INSURANCE VARIATIONS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Variations on insurances polices can include:

Lifetime cover - Having lifetime cover on your pet insurance plan can increase its annual premium however if your pet was to develop a condition like asthma or diabetes which required ongoing treatment then with this cover the insurer will continue to pay for the treatment for the lifetime of the pet. You will need to stay with the same insurer.

Dental cover - A broken tooth, root canal filling or gum disease are all conditions that your pet may need to have treated. Surprisingly dental cover is not included on most polices and if, depending on the age of your dogs, you think you will need it should be added at an additional cost.

Excess Payment - As with most insurance products, there will be an excess payment if you make a claim. This is the amount you will make towards the cost of any treatment needed. Check the small print of any policy as some companies can double the excess payment depending on the size of the claim.

Payment Options – monthly or in one lump sum. Some policies will apply interest on top of the premium if you decide to pay monthly.

Additional Perks - Some specialist pet health insurance providers offer additional services. A horse insurance company could offer cover for your horse's equipment or trailer. Insurance also can be obtained for your pet’s housing, rabbit insurance, for instance, will protect the hutch from theft and damage.

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