WHAT'S THE BEST PET INSURANCE FOR AN AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD?

What Types of Pet Insurance are Available for an Australian Shepherd?

 In the UK, there are four main types of pet insurance:

• Accident-Only – This type of insurance covers a fixed sum per injury if your pet has an accident.

• Time-Limited – Also called 12-month policies, these cover your pet for illness and accidents for 12 months.

• Maximum Benefit – Also known as “condition capped” pet insurance, this covers accident and illness indefinitely (as long as you renew your policy). There’s usually a fixed cost limit (of around £1,500) and once this is reached, you won’t be able to claim anymore.

• Lifetime – This is the most comprehensive policy available and will cover accidents, injury, and illness for your pet’s lifetime.

Is it Worth Getting Pet Insurance for My Australian Shepherd?

In the UK, there is no legal requirement to have pet insurance. However, as the owner, you would be held responsible for any damage caused to a third party by an accident, be it material damage or bodily harm. Australian Shepherds have a lively, energetic temperament which makes them very athletic dogs. Unfortunately, this hyperactivity can also be the cause of accidents. This is where pet insurance comes in.

Most home insurance policies offer the option to include animal liability insurance. You can also purchase third party public liability dog insurance, which provides additional protection. This insurance is mainly applicable to potentially dangerous dog breeds, but any dog owner can subscribe to it if they wish.

Additionally, although Australian Shepherds are generally pretty robust, they are susceptible to various hereditary eye or joint diseases, as well as some skin diseases. Getting your dog insured from an early age guarantees them the necessary care at all times throughout their life. Health insurance for your Australian Shepherd works the same way as for humans: you pay a monthly premium to an insurance company and, in return, they reimburse you for any veterinary expenses. Veterinary costs can be very high and, as a consequence, sometimes the cheapest solution is unfortunately euthanasia, which is obviously a real problem for dog owners. Vet fees are not standardised in the UK and can vary substantially. As such, some owners simply do not have the means to properly care for their pet.

Here are some of the different diseases that can affect your Australian Shepherd:

• Hip dysplasia

• Hereditary eye diseases (progressive retinal atrophy, collie eye anomaly, cataracts, etc.)

• Epilepsy

• Multi-drug resistance mutation (MDR1)

Don't wait for your Australian Shepherd to get sick or old before taking out pet insurance for them, or you may risk them not being properly taken care of. We recommend getting your dog insured from an early age to guarantee them the necessary care throughout their life.

What Kind of Diseases Are Covered by Pet Insurance?

First of all, you need to be aware that some insurance companies may refuse to reimburse costs incurred for certain diseases, hereditary diseases in particular. This is why it's so important to choose your breeder carefully. Likewise, "comfort" or "lifestyle" drugs, such as food supplements, are not eligible for reimbursement. Some insurance companies will refuse to cover dogs who are too young or dogs who are over 5 years old. Finally, most pet insurance companies will not agree to cover any veterinary procedures done abroad.

However, here are the treatments normally covered by a pet insurance policy:

• Surgeries and follow-up treatments for disease or surgery. This also includes hospital costs.

• Preventive treatments such as vaccines or deworming treatments.

• Annual health checks for older dogs.

How Much is Pet Insurance for an Australian Shepherd?

The average cost for pet insurance in the UK in 2020 works out at £436 per year or just over £36 per month. Certain criteria, such as where you live or the age and breed of your dog, may cause prices to vary. Lifetime dog insurance is more expensive but also provides the most comprehensive cover. This usually costs closer to around £80 per month.

Choosing the Right Pet Insurance for Your Australian Shepherd

The important thing is to choose an insurance policy that suits your dog's needs and your own. You never want your Australian Shepherd to suffer from lack of care. While the price is, of course, important, it should not be the only criteria you consider. Before deciding on a particular contract, make sure to shop around for quotes and assess which best suits your circumstances. Then, take the time to review the contracts that are offered to you. Study each line of your contract closely to ascertain the type of services offered, as well as the reimbursement rate, limits, and eligibility or exclusion clauses.