- Pet insurance quotes

Whilst pet insurance is not compulsory in the UK, there are many policies that are available at a cheap premium. If you own a pet, they will, at some time in their lives, end up at the vet. The cost of vets' fees is ever increasing with medical advances which you may need to keep your pet healthier and happier for longer. The average cost of a pet receiving veterinary treatment when sick is £80, rising to £94 if the animal is injured. Most pet owners will have to make a claim at least once a year and it’s important to be aware that animals can get ill or injured at the most unpredictable of times - in the middle of the night and at weekends, when seeing a vet is at its most expensive. Pet insurance for your dog, cat or other animal is not expensive, monthly payments can start as little as £5 for a cat and £7 for a dog, depending on age, policy type and the insurer you choose.

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The major animal charities in the UK consider pet insurance to be an integral part of responsible pet ownership. The RSPCA estimates that 40% of the cost of owning a dog or a cat is in unforeseen vets' fees. Our four legged friends are often prone to getting into scraps and scrapes as well as being susceptible to illnesses like diabetes, skin disorders, and kidney problems.

Reducing the premium

You can significantly reduce your premium if you insure your pet from a young age. The older the pet the more necessary it will become to have insurance cover in place. No owner of a faithful pet wants to be faced by a vet's estimate for necessary treatment to prolong life that they cannot afford. Dependent on your insurer, once your pet has had a condition for which they have been successfully treated your pet will be covered for life as long as you renew your policy with the same insurer each year. The new premium should not be affected by the claim you have made, so the cost of your pet insurance should not rise year on year. Discounts are sometimes available if you are insuring more than one pet. It's also worth finding out whether there is any reduction in premium for pensioners.

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance covers pet owners against the cost of vets' fees and can help ease the cost of caring for an animal when accidents or sickness take their toll. The premium you choose to pay will determine the level of cover your pet will receive.

Insurance for pets is available for dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and hamsters. You should also be able to get insurance for exotic animals such as reptiles, snakes, fish and birds, although you may need to find a specialist insurer for this.

• Vets fees: you should expect up to £7,500 worth of cover per incident with an excess of £75 - £100 per incident. This covers the cost of consultations, tests, x-rays, surgery and medication.

• Boarding Fees: you should expect up to £750 cover for kennel or cattery costs if you need to go to hospital as an inpatient.

• Lost or Stolen: up to £750 towards the purchase price of your pet if it gets lost, stolen or killed in an accident.

• Death: up to £1000 towards the purchase price of your pet if it dies from accidental death or illness.

• Liability and Accidental Damage: up to £1000 public liability and accidental damage if your pet causes an accident or damages someone's property.

• Holiday cancellation: up to £3,000 if your pet requires emergency service while you are away or up to 7 days of departure.

• Transport costs: up to £150 if your pet is referred to another veterinary practice.

• Quarantine costs: up to £2,000 per trip.