The bill arrived: €1,400 for a cruciate ligament operation. Without insurance. Thousands of owners face this every year having never thought about it in advance.
What Pet Insurance Covers
Cover varies enormously depending on the policy. At entry level, only serious accidents and hospitalisations are included. Comprehensive plans cover illness, preventive care (vaccinations, antiparasites), neutering and sometimes third-party liability.
Reimbursement is generally based on vet fees, subject to an annual cap and excess. Some policies apply a waiting period of 15–30 days after taking out cover.
The Three Market Options
- Accident only (€5–15/month): covers traumatic emergencies. Insufficient for chronic illness.
- Accident + illness (€20–40/month): the right balance for most owners.
- Comprehensive (€40–80/month): includes prevention, dentistry and sometimes complementary medicine. Relevant for at-risk breeds or older animals.
When It Becomes Worth It
A large breed, a breed known for joint or cardiac issues, a cat that goes outdoors regularly: in these cases, insurance typically pays for itself at the first serious incident. For a young, healthy animal with no known predispositions, the calculation is less obvious.
What's certain: you never predict which year will be the one. Taking out cover before a condition develops is the only way to be genuinely protected.
The Small Print Worth Reading
- Conditions existing before taking out cover are systematically excluded
- Some policies exclude entire breeds or specific conditions
- The annual cap can be reached quickly in cases of chronic illness
- Osteopathy, acupuncture or physiotherapy fees are rarely included as standard
Cover Included with Pet Cheri
All Pet Cheri services are covered by our professional insurance. In the event of an accident or veterinary emergency during a care placement, our liability is engaged and costs are covered. This isn't a substitute for your own insurance, but an additional layer of protection while your pet is in our care.
