Health insurance for dogs and cats Is it worth taking out veterinary insurance?

Is it advisable to take out pet insurance?

The first question we ask ourselves is whether it is worth taking out health insurance for our pets.

One of the most notable benefits is the savings it provides on veterinary expenses due to illness. In addition to check-ups, your pet may need to visit the emergency room, stay in the hospital, or undergo surgery. In these cases, the costs are lower if you have insurance. Therefore, it is an investment that saves you money and gives you peace of mind in the event of any unforeseen circumstances. A second benefit of pet insurance, depending on the policy taken out, is the coverage of pet accident expenses. If your pet has an accident and needs urgent treatment or surgery, insurance can be a significant benefit by covering all or part of these expenses. We tend to take every precaution with our pets to prevent any of these unforeseen events from happening to them. However, statistically, there is a significant risk that our pet will need to visit the veterinarian at least once a year. With the coverage provided by insurance for these visits, the cost of the annual policy will be more than paid for.

What should we consider before taking out health insurance for our pet?

If you are considering taking out insurance for your pet, it is important to bear the following in mind:

-Your pet's age: Insurance companies generally do not accept insurance for animals over 7 years old.
-Pre-existing illnesses and accidents: Pet insurance does not cover illnesses or accidents that the animal had before the policy was taken out. These are known as pre-existing conditions. Some insurance companies may even refuse to provide coverage. -Exclusions: These are specific illnesses and treatments not covered by health insurance. They are listed in the insurance terms and conditions, and it is very important to review them before taking out a policy to avoid any surprises.- Deductible: Some health insurance policies charge us a minimum amount for each accident or illness our pet has. - Waiting period: This is the period between when we take out the insurance and when it becomes effective. If our pet suffers an illness or accident during the waiting period, the insurer will not cover the medical expenses. Waiting periods vary depending on the company you take out the policy with.
-Insurance premiums and discounts: Pet insurance premiums are generally charged annually and vary depending on the breed, age, and deductible. Some companies even offer a discount if we decide to insure more than one pet.

How much does insurance cost and what coverage does it offer?

There are currently several pet health insurance companies. Below is a comparison table of all the options so you can assess which insurance best suits your budget and your pet's needs:

As you can see, there are several insurances on the market and you should evaluate the coverage each one offers, according to the price and your pet's needs.

In our case, we have chosen to contract Barkibu   for our dogs for the following reasons:

-It is the insurance that offers the most coverage for the least money (covers up to 3,000 euros per year).
-It includes insurance for illnesses and accidents for our pets.
-As travelers, it offers veterinary coverage throughout Europe.
-Our dogs are over 9 years old and it is the only one that insures them at this age.
-They have the shortest waiting period on the market: 24 hours for accidents and 14 days for illnesses.
-They cover lifelong illnesses.
-Reimbursements are managed quickly and dynamically through an app.