pet insurance rates

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What’s more important to you? Your family or your pet?

September 30, 2011 in Cat cover, Dog cover, Pet cover, Pet insurance by admin | No comments

OK, we know your pet is part of the family – but you know what I mean –  people family, or your animal family (your pet)!  Now this question is not as strange as it sounds.  In fact it seems that in the United Kingdom the majority of pet owners are more likely to get insurance for their mobile phone or pet insurance before they sort out  life insurance!

In fact, life insurance protection, only came 6th on the list, after car, home, pet, and mobile according to the website MyVoucherCodes.co.uk (August 2011).

In the UK 30% have a pet health cover insurance (pet insurance), whilst in Australia it’s only around 3%.  So it would seem in Australia, so far at least, people are more likely to have life insurance than pet insurance!  Having said that, it’s estimated by Ibis world that Aussies spend around $7.88 billion on pet products and services each year. With 10 million pet owners (63% of households), that amounts to a whopping $1,460 average expenditure per pet, per household each year.   How  much do you think your pet will cost you over his or her lifetime?  You can help reduce that cost with pet insurance that pays a proportion of the inevitable vet’s bills that will crop up over your furry friend’s lifetime.  Even in the unlikely event that you don’t claim for, say, 3 years – it only takes one major event to even up the score and put you in profit!  For example, if an average annual premium is around $500 for a plan that pays an 85% benefit (this example taken from a 2 year old labradoodle cross), an event such as a simple ingestion of a foreign body costing $5,000 would mean the savings on your vet bill could be as much as $3,500, and if you hadn’t claimed for 3 years then the saving would be $2,500!!

Like all insurance, pet insurance is there to help with unexpected events.  It gives a bit of peace of mind knowing that if your four legged pal got sick, or injured in an accident, you would at least have some help with the vet’s bills. 

 

Tags: Cost of vet bills, insurance for pets, Lifetime cost of pet care, pet insurance, pet insurance cover, pet insurance rates

Protect yourself from rising vet bills

September 28, 2011 in Pet insurance by admin | No comments

Money Matters report that vet bills for cats and dogs have risen by as much as 500% in the past 2 years.  Like everything else, there is normal inflation of vet costs, but on top of this, advances in technology provide many more treatment options for your four legged friends.  In days gone by, pets would die of cancer, nowadays you can give your pooch or moggie a whole range of treatment options, which as you would guess, cost money!  This means more pet lives are being saved, and pets are living longer. But I don’t need to remind you – there’s no Medicare for pets – so when you choose these treatments you pay the full amount with no subsidies, so the costs can certainly mount up.

As an example, Choice magazine revealed highest vet expenses claims of $25,700 for cancer, $16,865 for diabetes, $11,035 for a snake bite and $8,760 for an ear infection.  When you consider these costs against an annual premium for pet insurance averaging around $400 for cats and $570 for most dogs, pet insurance is surely worth the price?

Of course pet insurance may not be for everyone, but if you do not have such a plan in place think about keeping some cash aside each month to take care of an emergency.  No-one would want to have to put their beloved pet down because of financial considerations, but the reality is, without a plan, this is all too possible.

Read more – visit www.news.com.au/money/money-matters/sick-as-a-dog-as-vet-bills-soar-by-500/story-e6frfmd9-1226148801851

www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/money/insurance/personal/pet-insurance-policies-review-and-compare.aspx

Tags: Care for your cat, Care for your dog, Compare pet insurance, Compare pet insurance cover, Cost of vet bills, insurance for pets, pet insurance, pet insurance premium, pet insurance rates, Taking care of pets

Welcoming a new pet into the family

September 18, 2011 in Cat cover, Dog cover, Pet cover, Pet insurance, Pet insurance rates by admin | No comments

Anyone who has experienced the joy of cats and/or dogs as family pets will definitely tell you that they require care and grooming, and just like kids, can call for substantial attention. Learning how to take care of your family pet is essential when you decide to welcome a pet into your family. Whether you choose a pedigree or a “bitza”, to get the best out of your four legged friend, pet owners need to have an understanding of good pet care and be prepared to provide them with real attention.

Preparing for a new pet

Are you getting ready for a new puppy’s arrival? Is the kitten coming this weekend? You have to make your home dog proof and cat proof. These young ones require more care and attention at first because they can grab everything they see and reach. A useful tip is to keep these pets busy with toys such as stuffed animals and soft balls. Let them engage in play. Plus remember to start off as you intend to continue, and consistently feed them with proper quantity of food at the right time – your vet can give you guidance here.

Pet feeding

Your pet dog can get sick when you are not feeding it the right way. There are nutritious meals prepared for them, according to their age. The market has plenty of formulated meals that are easy and convenient – but a quick tip - some of the brands on the market have very high fat content which is not good for your pet.  If you have the time you can prepare homemade pet food as well.  It takes a good knowledge of what ingredients you should include in making your pet food. Some food is actually dangerous for your dog – chocolate for example! (Make sure you keep it locked away – especially if you have a labrador!)

A puppy can get introduced to adult food once it reaches 6 months. For pet cats, you have to be careful in formulating their homemade ration. Those that can be found in supermarkets are more likely to contain the right raw components that your pet cat needs. Giving them the right food helps keep them strong and healthy, and hopefully also could lengthen their life span.

Pet insurance – help with the cost of vet bills

Pet insurance can help protect you financially, and is a convenient way to help ensure you can afford unexpected vet bills if and when they crop up. Compare pet insurance cover options.

Tags: Buying a new dog, Compare pet insurance, Compare pet insurance cover, Ethics of pet ownership, insurance for pets, pet insurance, pet insurance cover, pet insurance rates

What dog is best for me?

August 14, 2011 in Pet insurance by admin | No comments

It seems that lifestyle and convenience work against a few breeds, in particular the Fox Terrier, Jack Russell and the fluffier Pomeranian.  These breeds are dumped and destroyed in record numbers.  They are very cute puppies and people buy them on impulse from pet shops, without understanding their temperament, needs, and the long term responsibility of pet ownership. 

Dogs are beautiful animals who give us unconditional love, but they rely upon us for their wellbeing and indeed their survival for as much as 12 years or more.

So it makes sense, doesn’t it, to consider what breed would fit best with you, your budget, your lifestyle and the home you can offer them – before you go ahead and bring a new puppy into your life. 

Here are some things to think about in advance.

  •  How much time do you have to give your dog daily exercise?

Like humans, all dogs need a leve of exercise.  An overweight dog will not be as healthy as he can be, and as a result this can affect his longevity and his happiness.  Think about how much exercise you can give your pet, but dont be unrealistic – remember you are going to need to keep it up for 12 or more years!

  • How much time do you have to devote to grooming your dog?

Often overlooked – depending on the breed, grooming could mean a daily activity for you and your pet.  It’s important to consider just how much time you have available before you choose your pet.
 

  • How much can you afford to pay for dog food each week / month?

Big dogs eat more!  A new dog is also a financial decision which needs to be planned for.   Remember to include dog food in your budget.

  •  Have you considered the cost of vet expenses?

There’s no Medicare for dogs, and vet expenses can cost a fortune.  No-one would want to have to put their pet down because they couldn’t afford treatment.  That’s why many people choose pet insurance to assist with the vet fees.  But of course it’s important to make sure you can afford the pet insurance in the first place!  The breed of dog also affects the premium you pay. Get a quote now, to see how affordable it can be for you.

  •  Will your pet be around young children or elderly people?

 The’re all different.  Some dogs are child friendly, and others prefer the quiet life!  Very activy dogs can be too boisterous for the elderly.  (Of course getting an older dog – perhaps from the pount – can also solve this problem)Some dogs love to have a run with their owners, others prefer to stroll – what would be best for your family?

  • Does anyone in your family or someone who visits you frequently suffer from allergies?

Some breeds are less liketo to cause allergies than others. It’s all about their hair!

  • Do you have an exercise area for your dog?

Some breeds love to snooze indoors for most of the day (as long as they have a couple of walks), whilst others go mad for the outdoors and love physical exercise.

  •  How much time will your dog be alone each day?

Dogs are essentially pack animals and love company..  If you are going to be leaving your pooch alone for long periods of time, consider whether getting a second dog would be a good idea – so they can keep each other company

  • Are there other pets that your new dog will need to get on with – for example cats, rabbits, birds, etc.

To keep the household on an even keel, you need to think both about how your existing pets will embrace an imposter, and how the new dog will fit into the new environment. 

  •  Are you expecting your dog to protect your property?

In some breeds, the desire to defend property is higher than others consider this if you are looking for a guard dog.

  •  What size of dog do you prefer?

Remember the puppy will grow up!  You need to bear in mind what size it will grow up to when you choose your puppy. 

  •  What sort of coat would you prefer your dog to have?  What sort of shedding would you be able to tolerate?

What would you like to feel when you run your hand along your dog’s back?   Smooth, woolly, long, short?   Are you house proud?  Would a “shedder” drive you nuts?  Consider this before you choose your pet.

  •  How active would you like your dog to be?

Do you like them active, or would a lazy pal suit you better?

Tags: Buying a new dog, dog breeding, dog rescue, Ethics of pet ownership, insurance for pets, Lifetime cost of pet care, pet insurance, pet insurance cover, pet insurance premium, pet insurance rates, puppy farm

Pets enhance health and wellbeing for all age groups

June 13, 2011 in Pet insurance, Pet insurance rates by admin | No comments

All animal lovers will have experienced the ‘feel-good’ effect of having an animal around, or even occasional interaction with a friend’s pet.

Older parents will speak lovingly of their ‘grand dogs’, endowing them with the special affection and indulgence they accord to their grandchildren. Those same grandparents love minding their grand dogs or grand cats – and the pets are certainly less demanding than the grandchildren!  They eat everything you put in front of them without complaint, are rarely insolent or stubborn and don’t have to be transported to parties or sports fixtures.

That’s wonderful, but even more important is the proven effect pets have on our health. According to the Australian Companion Animal Council (ACAC)  scientific studies conducted over the past 50 years have shown that human/animal interaction can improve the quality of our health as well as our lives. For people living alone the companionship of a pet can make all the difference

 How pets help improve our health

 Sociological and psychological reports show that pets help:

  • combat loneliness and isolation, delivering a positive psychological and physical effect
  • break down social barriers, facilitating human interaction with other pet owners
  • encourage outdoor activity like walking which provides exercise
  • help children’s develop social skills and positive behaviours including playing, nurturing, kindness, unselfishness and responsibility.

Medical studies have shown that people who own a pet and have suffered a bereavement recover more quickly, while the health of those without pets tends to deteriorate after loss of a partner or family member.

 Equally, research indicates lower levels of heart disease and less visits to the doctor in pet owners, while walking a dog encourages people who have suffered a heart attack to commit to the recommended exercise regime. In fact dog walking is beneficial in providing exercise to all age groups and helps delay many of the symptoms of ageing.

 Residents in aged care and nursing homes benefit greatly from visits from pets. Many aged care facilities encourage visitors to bring small pets along. They find improvement in mood and social contact during and after the visit.

In short, our four-legged friends are truly friends in need. Like any dear friend or family member they deserve care and kindness. And when they are unwell they must receive good veterinary care. While unexpected vet visits – or even routine visits – can be a large expense, pet insurance protects you financially and ensures our loyal friends receive the attention they deserve. Check out pet insurance rates and cover.

Tags: pet insurance, pet insurance cover, pet insurance rates

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