Life and health insurance for pets: wasted money or a necessity?

It is frightening to imagine a situation where, in addition to the serious health condition of your four-legged partner, you have to raise funds for his treatment. In such cases, insurance may be the solution. Let's take a look at the types of insurance we can choose from and who it makes sense for.

You never know what could happen. Your pet may get sick or may have a serious accident. Insurance theoretically makes sense for anyone who, like me, considers their animals to be legitimate family members.

It's basically life and health insurance that covers the necessary and urgent costs of veterinary treatment or the death of an animal. The basis is insurance of veterinary care. In the event of your pet's illness or injury, it usually involves its transportation or hospitalization. However, it does not apply to chronic illnesses, and you always have to expect coinsurance and a waiting period (after the policy has been taken out when you don't have the right to draw it).

Insurance against death or euthanasia. In this case you will receive an agreed amount of money after the insured pet dies. This won’t make your heart ache any less or alleviate your sadness, but it can make it easier for you to get a new four-legged family member. It's basically an animal version of human life insurance.

There is also liability insurance. This kind of insurance is useful if your dog bites someone or damages someone else's property. This is something for all those who live in a rented apartment with their pet. It should be customary, but when you take out the policy you should check whether the policy also applies to the injury of another animal if you are interested in this service. This type is usually included in the insurance mentioned above.

In addition to livestock and horses, cats and dogs are the only insurable animals so far. They must also have a microchip or tattoo. They must be in good health and kept in good conditions at the time the policy is taken out. The insurance is usually age-limited - an animal from six months to eight years of age is usually insurable. 

They must also be vaccinated against selected diseases (the list of diseases differs from one insurance company to another, but it is usually a list of common vaccinations). In addition to a form filled out by the vet on the health of the animal, which you will receive from the insurance company, you will also need a vaccination card and, in some cases, a pedigree.

As with any such insurance, there are situations in which you will not be paid. The most common cases include treatment due to chronic, hereditary, congenital and developmental diseases, violations of the law on the protection of animals, preventive and cosmetic interventions or participation in races or sports events, including preparation for them. You will usually not receive money if a family member or a person living in the same household suffers damage.

Are your pets insured? How did you proceed when choosing an insurance policy? What types of insurance proved to be most useful?