Why do you need a good Pet insurance plan?
Vet fees can end up costing hundreds, if not thousands of pounds. And if your pet is ill or injured there is no animal NHS to pick up the cost. Taking out a policy may not be as expensive as you think either.
Technological advancements in veterinary medicine have meant that vets are able to provide more comprehensive treatments, but this has caused bills to rise steadily.
Pet Insurance itself can start from just a few pounds a month, enabling you to avoid most of these unwanted costs, whenever they arise.
It’s impossible to predict the future so it makes sense to look ahead and make sure you are adequately covered for all unforeseen events.
Some interesting facts
- The longevity of the domestic dog depends on a number of factors including breed, dog size, diet and level of care received, with the average life cycle being 13 - 14 years. The domestic cats life span is slightly longer at 15 - 17 years.
- An average bill from a vet in the UK is estimated at £360 with a typical lifetime spend for your pet of £5000.
- Today's cat leads an inactive, lazy life, often resulting in an overweight pet which in turn can lead to long term health issues.
- Dogs often suffer from back pain which can become chronic, leading to costly medical treatments or even surgery if the problem is severe or long-term.
Taking into account all of these factors, it makes sense to ensure that the appropriate cover is in place for all eventualities and with Discount Insurance you can relax in the knowledge that your little friend is covered for life.
Swift and supportive claims process
We are very sorry to learn that your pet has suffered an injury or illness. In an emergency, instruct your vet to carry out the treatment and then contact us at the earliest opportunity.
Please contact our claims department on 01263 586217 within 14 days of the occurrence of the injury or illness and complete the claim over the phone.
If you are unsure or cannot locate your policy certificate, please call our customer service team on 0845 194 9751 (Calls cost 2p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.)
Is it requirement that I vaccinate my pet regularly?
It's advisable to vaccinate your pet as often as your veterinary surgeon suggests, but it's not a conditional requirement for Discount Insurance Pet cover. Your pet insurance would still be valid, however we would not be able to cover your pet for illnesses or diseases which could have been avoided should vaccination have taken place.
Will you be able to insure my pet even when it's old and ill?
If you are buying pet insurance from Discount Insurance for the first time we can insure your dog as long as it is no more than 8 years old, cats must be not older than 10 years. Once you have purchased your insurance policy your pet is covered for the remainder of its lifetime as long as cover is renewed annually.
Am I entitled to any discount if I insure more than one pet with you?
Yes, if you have more than one policy with us we will give you one month's free premium per policy per year. All you have to do is buy a separate policy for each pet you wish to cover and record the reference number for the first policy purchased, then quote that reference when buying next year's cover.
Do I pay any excess when I make a claim?
Yes, you pay the agreed excess for each condition you claim for. The excess amount will depend on the type of insurance chosen and will be noted on your insurance documentation.
Am I covered for my pet's diet?
If the diet was recommended by a veterinary surgeon and it's a clinical, not weight loss diet, we will contribute 25% of expenses incurred for a maximum period of 6 months.
Am I required to provide proof of purchase for my pet in order to obtain insurance?
It's not a requirement to provide proof of purchase, but in the event of a claim due to loss or death of your pet, we will only be able to pay their market value.
Will you offer a cover for deaf and/or blind pet?
Yes, we will insure deaf and/or blind pets, but if their disability means ongoing treatment we won't be able to offer cover for these expenses or any future expenses which will occur as a result of existing conditions.
What if my pet suffers a flea infestation?
We can't offer you cover for such conditions. It is your responsibility to take any necessary steps to prevent this.
What if my pet suffers from epilepsy, will I be covered?
As long as the first epilepsy episode does not occur within the first 28 days of your insurance policy Discount Insurance will cover your pet.
Can I claim on veterinary fees straight after I take out cover with you?
You are not covered for veterinary fees for first 28 days of your policy if due to illness or poisoning but in the event of accidental injury you are covered from the incept date on your policy
What does lifetime cover mean?
Discount Insurance offers long term cover for your pet, which means you’ll be able to claim for on-going conditions. There is no time limit on how long treatment can last and we’ll pay up to the vet fee limit each year as long as we can continue to offer cover, your premiums are paid and the policy is renewed each year.
What does annual cover mean?
Our annual policy has been designed for owners looking for great value pet insurance to help with the cost of veterinary fees to treat injuries or short-term illnesses. This type of policy provides cover for a period of 12 months only.
Are there any dogs that you will not insure?
Unfortunately we cannot insure dogs used for guarding, coursing, racing or registered under the Dangerous Dogs’ Act this includes; American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bulldog, Canary Dog, Cane Corso, Carolina Dog, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Dogo Argentino, Dogo Canario, Dogo Guatemalteco, Dogo Sardesco, English Bulldog, Fila Brasilero, Japanese Tosa, Pakistani Bull Terrier, Perro De Presa Canario, Pitt Bull Terrier, Presa Canario, Saarloos Wolfhound, Tosa Inu, Wolf and Wolf Hybrid.
Are there any age restrictions?
We cover dogs and cats that are aged between eight weeks and eight years of age at policy inception.
Who provides pet insurance for Discount Insurance?
Discount Insurance acts as an introducer to Vets Medicover for pet insurance.
What is your cancellation policy
We hope you are completely delighted with your policy; however if you decide you do wish to cancel it, please contact us immediately. You must do this in writing to either info@discountinsurance.co.uk or Discount Insurance, The Business Exchange, 26/28 Hammersmith Grove, London, W6 7BA.
You have 14 days from the start of your policy, or from the day you receive your documents, to decide if this product meets your needs. If you choose to cancel this policy within this period, and no claim has been made, we will refund the policy, charging you only for time on cover. Cancellations made after 14 days of the start date will be subject to cancellation fee of up to £35. We will also retain a pro-rata premium for time on cover. For instance, if you paid £200 for a policy and cancelled this half-way you will be entitled to a refund of £100 for the unexpired portion of the policy less the cancellation fee of £35 (total refund in this instance would be £65). Please note any administration fees charged for policy set up are non-refundable if cancelled after the 14 days cooling off period.
How long will I have to wait for my policy documents to be sent to me by post?
We put your documents in the post within 24 hours of receiving the quote so please allow between 2 to 3 days for the documents to arrive to your home address as that's our standard time.
