Pet health insurance for cats and dogs: sensible or not?
As the owner of a dog or cat, you naturally want your four-legged friend to be well and free from major health problems throughout their life.
However, there is no guarantee for that. Diseases and injuries cannot be completely avoided, often necessitating a visit to the veterinarian. Typically, the costs incurred in such cases are the responsibility of the pet owner. Many dog and cat owners, however, have taken out pet health insurance that covers all or part of the veterinary bills.
In the following, we will explain how such pet health insurance works, whether it is advisable to obtain it, and what services it usually covers.
Key points about pet health insurance:
- Pet health insurance protects pet owners from financial problems due to high veterinary costs.
- Surgical insurance policies are particularly affordable and cover the costs of medically necessary procedures.
- Comprehensive health insurance for cats and dogs also covers costs for other treatments and examinations.
- Some policies may also offer additional benefits, such as contributions towards preventive measures.
- Those unable to bear high veterinary costs in emergencies should seriously consider obtaining pet health insurance.
Why pet health insurance is often beneficial
Regular visits to the veterinarian are part of everyday life for every pet owner. As long as these visits are for preventive care, such as vaccinations, the costs remain manageable.
However, when it comes to serious illnesses in dogs and cats, the situation can be different, and veterinary bills can quickly reach amounts that pose a significant financial burden for average earners. Costs in the four-digit range are not uncommon, especially for surgeries.
Obtaining pet health insurance offers the opportunity to protect oneself from financial difficulties arising from expensive treatments and ensure that one's pet receives the best possible veterinary care. The insurance covers veterinary costs as agreed upon, allowing costly treatments to be performed without financial worries.
Differences between surgical insurance and comprehensive health insurance for pets
Those considering pet health insurance for their dog or cat are initially faced with the choice between pure surgical insurance and comprehensive health insurance. These two options offer different coverage, resulting in different cost levels.
Surgical insurance for cats and dogs:
Pure surgical insurance covers the costs of medically necessary surgeries and related pre- and post-operative examinations. Other treatments are generally not included in such insurance policies.
Comprehensive health insurance for cats and dogs:
With comprehensive health insurance, the coverage extends beyond the benefits provided by surgical insurance. This type of pet health insurance also covers the costs of other examinations and treatments. The specific coverage varies depending on the provider and chosen policy.
Which type of pet health insurance is more suitable?
The choice between the two types of pet health insurance primarily depends on individual preferences.
Those who only want coverage for high surgical costs will find surgical insurance suitable. Those who desire comprehensive cost protection should opt for comprehensive health insurance for their pet.
Factors influencing the cost of pet health insurance
The cost of obtaining pet health insurance depends on several factors. Generally, it can be expected that surgical insurance is always cheaper than comprehensive health insurance.
Furthermore, the cost of pet health insurance is influenced by the following factors:
- Species of the pet (Insurance for cats usually costs less than insurance for dogs.)
- Age of the pet (The older the pet, the higher the expected veterinary costs, which also affects the insurance premium.)
- Scope of coverage (The more comprehensive the insurance coverage, the higher the payments required from the policyholder.)
- Dog breed (Since treatment for larger dog breeds is usually more expensive, the breed is also taken into account when calculating the premium.)
Comparing pet health insurance policies: What should pet owners consider?
There are numerous providers that offer pet health insurance for dogs and cats. Therefore, it is advisable to compare not only the premiums but also the services included in the different insurance policies.
Specifically, the following points should be considered when comparing multiple pet health insurance policies:
- Coverage limit: Pet health insurance policies often have a maximum coverage limit per year.
- Deductible: Some policies require the policyholder to pay a percentage of the costs, while others cover the entire invoice amount.
- Coverage abroad: Especially for dog owners who may want to take their pet on vacation, pet health insurance with coverage abroad is recommended.
- Maximum reimbursement rate: The chosen pet insurance policy should cover costs up to four times the official fee rate for veterinarians (GOT - Gebührenordnung für Tierärzte).
The waiting period for pet health insurance
Usually, the insurance coverage of pet health insurance only comes into effect after a waiting period. During this waiting period, there is no entitlement to cost coverage, and any illnesses that occur during this period are excluded from the insurance coverage. The waiting period is typically 30 days. However, for certain conditions, such as hip dysplasia, which is more common in certain dog breeds, longer waiting periods may apply.
Are there arguments against pet health insurance?
Obtaining pet health insurance undoubtedly has numerous advantages. However, regular costs are associated with insurance coverage. Depending on the policy and insured pet, the monthly premium can quickly exceed 50 euros.
If a four-digit veterinary bill in an emergency does not pose financial difficulties for you, you can, in principle, forego pet insurance.
If that is not the case, pet health insurance is definitely a good decision, and you should at least consider obtaining surgical insurance for your pet. The premiums for surgical insurance are relatively low, and you will have peace of mind knowing that costly surgeries will not be a problem if needed.
Pet health insurance from Barmenia Insurance
Barmenia Insurance offers four different plans for dogs and cats, including surgical insurance and three different plans for comprehensive health insurance (Basic, Top, and Premium).
In all plans, veterinary costs in emergencies are covered up to four times the official fee rate, and it is possible to obtain pet health insurance from Barmenia without a deductible.
Dog owners can also take out surgical insurance, which only applies if the pet requires surgery due to an accident. This policy does not have a waiting period or risk assessment.
If you have not yet obtained pet health insurance for your pet, you can easily calculate your insurance premium online on the Barmenia website.
To premium calculator for cat owners
To premium calculator for dog owners
Coverage for pet supplements for dogs and cats
In our shop, you will find numerous natural supplements for cats and dogs that can help promote digestion, address skin and coat issues, or support kidney function in your pet.
If your pet is insured under Barmenia's Top or Premium plans, you have the option to get reimbursed for the costs of Bellfor and I love my cat supplements as part of the agreed-upon preventive care benefits.
Our conclusion on pet health insurance
Of course, like us, you hope that your pet will have a long and healthy life without accidents or serious illnesses. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee.
Especially when a major surgical procedure becomes necessary, it quickly incurs high costs. To ensure that essential treatments are not neglected due to the expected veterinary expenses, obtaining dog or cat health insurance is often advisable and should be considered.
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