There are two excellent types of insurance you need on a dog. The first is liability. It protects you from lawsuits if your dog causes damage or harm to another person. The second is to protect you from paying large veterinary bills if your dog needs emergency care. Insuring your animal performs the same function as insuring other areas of your life. Shopping for the best product is important.
One key difference between dog insurance and other forms is whether you animal are a ‘commercial’ property or a pet. If you make money with your pet — stud fees or showing for money — you may be required to pay more.
Liability Insurance for Your Dog
All dog owners worry that their animal may inadvertently bite someone. Although we try our best to restrain our pets, there exists a chance for accidents. Whether your dog is a breed known for aggression or not, a lawsuit resulting from an animal bite can be expensive.
Many dog owners rely on their homeowner’s policy, but to find out actual coverage, you need to review it with your agent. Policies may deny coverage if you can be shown at fault or negligent and all policies have exclusions in some circumstances. Separate riders can be purchased to cover you when not at home.
Health Insurance for Your Dog
Properly called “Pet Veterinary Insurance”, it is similar to human health care insurance, although much cheaper. Primarily, pet health insurance is designed to meet emergencies. It rarely covers regular check-ups or treatment for long-term conditions. Dog pregnancy would normally not be covered either.
Check to make sure any company you deal with is recognized by your veterinarian or an animal hospital in your area. Some plans will cover your pet when traveling, but you should find out ahead of time. Inquire about pre-existing conditions — some breeds have limited coverage for some common problems.
As responsible dog owners, we should insure dog against both the possibility of an accident (either a bite or some other event) and have protection in place should our animal need medical care.