Hot Topics

What is a select breed dog?
There are a number of ‘select breeds' which are identified by pet insurance companies as breeds which incite higher veterinary costs than other breeds, in the same way that some dogs cost more to feed. Therefore if you have what is considered to be a select breed dog, your insurance will incur a supplementary insurance premium.
How can I pay my premiums?
You can either pay by monthly direct debit or with an annual one-off payment.
What do I do when my pet dies?
You are covered if your pet dies from accident or illness – although you are not covered if your pet dies from old age.
What are the requirements of a pet travel insurance policy?
For your pet to travel abroad, you must fulfil the following requirements as stipulated by Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). The requirements must be carried out in the following order:
Why insure your horse?
After your home and car, a horse will probably be the most expensive purchase you'll ever make – that's why it makes good sense to protect your investment.

Do I need to get the insurance company's agreement before my horse is destroyed?

There are some very strict guidelines that all vets have been issued by their governing body, the British Equine Veterinary Association and a statement issued by BEVA in July 1996, with regard to the destruction of horses.

This offers vets definitive guidance on when immediate destruction is needed and when an insurance company should be notified prior to destruction.

The guidelines state:

"That the insured horse sustains an injury or manifests an illness or disease that is so severe as to warrant immediate destruction to relieve incurable and excessive pain and that no other options of treatment are available to that horse at that time.

"If immediate destruction cannot be justified then the attending veterinary surgeon should provide effective first aid treatment before:

  • requesting that the insurance company be contacted or, failing that
  • arranging for a second opinion from another veterinary surgeon"

In short, if the vet feels that on humane grounds the horse should be destroyed immediately, they are justified in performing immediate destruction. If, however, effective first aid treatment can be given, the insurer should be notified first that destruction might be necessary.