If you have rescued a pet then you’ll want to give it the comfort and security it has previously missed out on – and this should include shopping around for pet insurance quotes.

Why is pet insurance important for rescue pets?

Pet insurance can provide vital peace of mind that the pet you love can get the help it needs whenever necessary. It can help to cover the cost of veterinary treatment and some policies will also pay out if a pet dies or causes damage to a third party’s property.

This takes on added importance if you’re taking on a rescue pet because typically rescue pets are older and have already been through a lot in their lifetime. As such they may be more prone to suffering age related issues. Typically pet insurance will class dogs and cats aged eight or more as ‘older’ pets and while cover is available for this age group, premiums can be higher than those for younger animals. However, some pet insurance companies do give older pet owners the option of agreeing to a higher excess (the excess is your contribution towards a claim), such as paying a fixed percentage of the amount you claim – so it’s well worth shopping around to see what deals you can find.

You might assume that pet insurance is not available if your rescue pet has a pre-existing condition. However, most pet insurance companies will be willing to cover the pet but they will simply exclude the pre-existing condition from the cover. So it’s well worth taking out a policy to protect your pet against other risks, illnesses and diseases.

So what does pet insurance cover?

Before examining policy features you should be aware that there are three broad types of pet insurance cover available:

• Cover for a set period: This is the cheapest form of cover and means that when a policy ends treatments stop even if the policy is renewed.
   
• Cover limit per condition: This covers conditions up to a set amount and once this limit is reached contributions towards treatment will end.
   
• A full lifetime policy: This is the most complete form of pet insurance as it provides a cover limit, per condition, per year - so as long as the policy is renewed the pet can continue to receive support towards its treatment.

Once you have decided which level of cover you want, check out the features that are available:

• Veterinary fees: Most people who take out pet insurance do so to help cover the cost of vet fees which can be notoriously high. However, in addition to checking for cover limits per condition and time constraints, anyone comparing policies should also look to see whether the policy offers any complementary therapies, cosmetic treatments and help with behavioural conditions; as well as examining what is excluded from the policy – for example, will your pet insurance help you cover the cost of a special diet?
   
• Death by illness or accident: Some pet insurance policies offer a pay out if a pet dies in select circumstances – such as due to one of a list of illnesses or due to an accident. This feature is not necessarily aimed at those taking on rescue pets – it is mainly meant for owners of pedigree dogs and other expensive animals who may wish to recoup the purchase price or market value of a pet if it dies prematurely.
   
• Holiday cover: Imagine taking a holiday only for your pet to fall ill meaning you have to return home. Some pet insurance policies will help you cover the cost of cancellations or being forced to cut a trip short.
   
• Pet travel scheme: Many pet owners now enjoy taking their pets overseas with them thanks to the Government’s Pet Travel Scheme which allows dogs, cats and ferrets to travel without quarantine as long as certain criteria are met. If you want to take your pet abroad it can be reassuring to have pet insurance in place that offers cover for vet fees both at home and abroad.
   
• Kennel/cattery fees: If you were hospitalized in an emergency situation you wouldn’t have time to arrange suitable accommodation for your pet. However, some pet insurance policies will help cover the cost of emergency boarding.
   
• Missing pet cover: If a pet goes missing or is stolen, it’s a nightmare for the owner. However, there are some pet insurance companies that will help you during your time of need with cover for the cost of advertising and even a reward.
   
• Third party liability: It can be embarrassing if your dog damages a third party’s property or injures someone – and it can also be costly too. However, with pet cover you may receive help with the cost of any third party liability. Bear in mind that third party cover is not necessary for cat owners because cats are classified as ‘free spirits’ by the courts and therefore owners are not liable for their actions.

Where can you get a good deal on pet insurance?

Pet insurance can help you save money if your pet falls ill or suffers an accident – but nobody wants to pay over the odds to take a policy out.

That’s why it’s advisable to compare as many deals as you can before deciding on the right option for you. There are now comparison web sites that can compare quotes from around a dozen pet insurance providers with one search. Just remember to compare policy features as well as premiums to ensure you’re receiving value for money.