19% of pet owners face unexpected vet bills, new data shows

One in five pet owners have been forced to pay veterinary bills out of pocket as they did not have adequate insurance, new research from financial services comparison site Quotezone has indicated.

A survey conducted by Quotezone’s pet insurance specialists revealed that 20% of pet owners additionally stated they were confused by pet insurance, with 12% choosing to not buy any at all.

Quotezone said that while 4.6 million pets in the UK are insured, many pet insurance policies contain exclusions, limits or time restrictions that may be unclear to owners until they need to claim.

The platform said that poorly covered areas include pre-existing conditions, particular hereditary illnesses, dental treatment and behavioural issues.

It added that since emergency procedures and ongoing treatments frequently cost hundreds or thousands of pounds, opting out of coverage can quickly become a “financial nightmare”.

Quotezone’s experts said owners can forgo stress and unexpected bills by ensuring pet insurance policies meet their needs and speak to a provider if they are hesitant.

The site’s figures show that when it comes to selecting insurance, lifetime cover with comprehensive coverage is pet owners’ favourite, protecting pets against sickness and injury for their entire life.

The cheapest option was accident-only insurance, as each claim is typically limited and only covers injuries or accidents. This type of policy does not cover long-term or chronic illnesses and its payout caps are frequently low, meaning vet bills could rapidly surpass limits and leave pet owners with high charges.

Quotezone listed five “key watch-outs” for pet owners when it comes to pet insurance, noting that it doesn’t usually cover ‘routine’ care such as vaccinations, dental care, flea treatments or spaying, and that owners must check what exclusions apply to that particular policy.

It additionally advised owners to:
Note that older pets may be subject to limitations such as a larger excess on claims
Check for extra items such as missing pet and death cover as they may not be included as standard
Check policy covers internationally and emergency care, in case owners are hospitalized

One of Quotezone’s pet insurance experts, Helen Rolph, said: “Too many owners assume they’re protected, only to find out at the worst possible moment that their policy doesn’t cover the treatment their pet needs – something that nearly a fifth of owners have unfortunately already experienced.

“We understand why 20% of pet owners might find the process of choosing an appropriate insurance policy confusing as there are lots of different options to consider, but help is at hand. Price comparison sites such as ours give tips and explanations throughout the quote form, to help animal lovers see clearly what they need and how much it will cost. Contact information is also available to reach out to the individual providers directly for a chat if anything needs a double check.”

She added: “Taking time to check exclusions, limits and excesses is so important to make sure pets and finances are fully protected.