A Guide to Pet Insurance & Preventative Healthcare

A Guide to Pet Insurance & Preventative Healthcare

B e s A guide to... pet insurance & preventative health care

#BestForPets

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We’re on a mission

At MiPet Cover , we only want what’s #BestForPets .

As a nation of pet lovers, it’s sad to see that only 25% of dogs & 14% of cats have pet insurance in place in case of unexpected illness or injury. We know you love your best friends. We know they mean the world to you. This is why we want to send out a message to all pet owners. Let’s get #morepetsinsured It really is as simple as that.

Source: ABI 2021

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What’s best for my pet? With so many pet insurance policies available in the market, it can be confusing as to what’s really right for you and your pet’s needs. Veterinary professionals will always advise that lifetime cover is the #BestForPets. Lifetime policies Lifetime policies offer a far more comprehensive level of cover for your pet. These policies will offer a fixed amount of veterinary fee cover which will be renewed every policy year, so long as you remain on the same policy with the same provider. Lifetime cover will ensure that your pet can receive lifelong treatment should they have a condition such as diabetes or arthritis. Annual policies Annual cover, also known as ‘time-limited’, is quite literally that - cover that lasts for 365 days. Once the year is up, any cover for an illness or injury that occurred in that policy year will come to an end.

Lifetime vs Annual

It’s easy to just pick the cheapest policy and relax. Take some time to consider if that policy would be enough if your pet suddenly developed a life long condition.

Covered for life

Only covered for one year

Year 1

365

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 6

Year 5

Year 7

Year 8+

A lifetime policy offers cover for life, so long as your premiums are kept up to date and you renew your cover every year.

An annual policy will only cover your pet for any new illnesses and injuries for 365 days.

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Other types of cover

Our veterinary people always recommend that lifetime cover is the best type of cover for your pet.

Here are a few other types of pet policies and the definition of cover.

Accident only These are generally 12 month policies that cover the cost of treating your pet in the event of an accident. These policies may cover the cost of ongoing care of your pet for that injury so long as you continue your cover.

Maximum benefit These policies provide a fixed amount of money to cover the cost of any treatment for each new illness or injury. This amount will continue for each illness or injury so long as the policy is renewed or until the limit has been reached.

Remember: Your pet may no longer be covered for any pre-existing conditions if you decide to change your policy or provider.

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There’s no NHS for pets

Sadly, there’s no free National Health Service for our pets. Here are some of the average costs associated with veterinary treatment for cats and dogs.

Pets that got sick by eating grapes and raisins had claims averaging £577.62

Average claim for a road traffic accident is £773.11

11 Source: MiPet Cover claims, June 2020-June 2021 *Source: ABI 2021

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What to look for in a pet insurance policy

Pet helplines It’s always good to know that you can speak to someone 24/7 if you need help with pet legal matters, counselling or health advice. Complementary treatment This offers your pet access to complementary therapy sessions as advised by your veterinary professional.

In addition to vet fee cover, here are some other policy benefits and features you might like to have:

Holiday cancellation If your pet became ill and you had to cancel a planned holiday or trip at short notice, you might be able to recover your financial losses. Third party liability cover What would you do if your dog injured someone or damaged another person’s property? This cover helps with the legal side of things. Advertising and reward costs If your pet went missing, you could get help with the advertising costs and a reward fee if they’re found. Dogs only

Emergency expenses when abroad

If your pet became ill or was injured when abroad, your cover could provide emergency expenses for items such as transport and accommodation.

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Still not convinced?

If you still don’t think it’s worthwhile insuring your pet, here are some facts, figures and statistics that might make you think again...

16% of policyholders needed to make a claim during 2020

Top claims for dogs

Top claims for cats

Gastro intestinal problems

Anaemia

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Claims are assessed in an average of 4.7 days *

Lameness

Cystitis

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41% of our claims were for younger pets aged 0-2

Gastro intestinal problems

Allergy

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Foreign body ingestion

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Diabetes

5

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Ear infection

Ear infection

Source: MiPet Cover claims 2020

Source: MiPet Cover claims 2020 * Aug 2020-Jul 2021

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#BestForPets

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Introduction

At the Healthy Pet Club, our goal is to help your pets live a healthy, long and happy life. The key? We believe that prevention is better than cure.

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Vaccinations

Parasite control

Health checks

Healthy life

This is why the Healthy Pet Club was created by our vets, to help our nation of pet lovers have access to all the tools they need to do the #BestForPets .

Spread the cost of your pet’s health care

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Vaccinations

Parasites

Common diseases that affect cats are:

Common diseases that affect dogs are: Parvovirus - Rapidly fatal to dogs, especially puppies Kennel Cough - Can affect all age of dog Leptospirosis - Causes organ failure and can be transmitted to humans

The three major groups of parasites that affect our pets are:

Cat Flu - Very common among cats Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) - A frequently fatal disease

Fleas

Worms

Ticks

All of these and many other diseases can be prevented or kept to a minimum just by a simple vaccination.

If fleas infest your pet and home, it can take months to eradicate them.

Cause illness and malnourishment.

Can pass on dangerous diseases, like Lyme Disease and Babesiosis.

Prevention is much better than cure, when it comes to parasites. Treatment comes in the form of tablets or easy to use spot on, which is applied to the back of the neck. Your vet will advise you on which products and frequency are best suited to your pet.

Cat flu cases have risen by 39% in last 10 years

FeLV cases have risen by 18% in last 10 years

23% of dogs are not receiving regular booster vaccinations

Why are booster vaccinations important? Most vaccinations don’t build up lifetime immunity to a disease. Booster vaccinations protect your pet for an alloted amount of time, usually 12 months. This is why it’s so important to keep up with your pet’s booster vaccinations, especially senior pets who have a weaker immune system.

Did you know? Prescription flea and worm treatment can only be picked up from your vets. Off the shelf treatment is much weaker and may not protect your pet from parasites.

Source: PDSA report 2020

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Health checks Taking your pet for regular health checks at your vets is important so any potential health problems can be caught early. This will give your pet the best chance of recovery should there be anything serious found.

During your pet’s health check, the suitably qualified member of the nursing team following RCVS guidelines will check the following:

Ears

Eyes

Teeth

Coat

Diet

Weight

Lumps or bumps Nails & paws

Microchip

Your pet’s health check is also a good opportunity to ask for advice and raise any questions you have about the care of your pet.

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Diet

Dental care

It’s tricky to choose the right diet for your pet when there is such a huge variety of food on the market. You have to remember that the needs of your pet will change throughout its life and different species and breeds will require different diets.

Dental disease is a common and widespread problem amongst our dogs and cats.

Worryingly...

85% of cats 3 years + have some form of dental disease

80% of dogs have some form of gum disease by 2-3 years old

11% 24% of cats of dogs

How can you prevent it?

are fed scraps and leftovers as one of their main food types!

Human food is not a suitable diet for pets. They should be fed a complete industry standard pet food to help them receive the correct nutrients and maintain a healthy weight.

Regular tooth brushing

Feeding a dental diet

Dental cleaning at your vets

If allowed to progress, dental disease can cause pain and discomfort for your pet and, in severe cases, tooth loss.

Ask your vet for advice on the best diet for your pet.

Source: PDSA report 2020

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Microchipping

Microchipping became law for dogs in the UK in April 2016 and compulsory cat microchipping will follow suit in 2021. 92% 74%

of cats

of dogs

are microchipped in the UK

Getting your pet microchipped significantly increases the chance of you finding your pet again should they sadly go missing or get stolen.

Your pet is handed into your vets

The vets scan your pet’s microchip

The vets contact you to reunite you with your pet

Source: PDSA report 2020

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Neutering

Neutering your pet is one of the best things you, as their owner and guardian, can do for them. This is true for both males and females.

Cat neutering Dog neutering

We recommend around 5 months of age or older*.

We recommend between the age of 6 - 12 months, depending on breed and size*.

86% 71%

of cats are neutered

of dogs are neutered

*Ages stated are guidelines only. Contact your vet for your pet’s individual neutering suitability.

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Pet Insurance generally covers these things: • Vet fees • Third party liability (dogs only) *

Preventative Health Care plans usually cover: • Your pet’s vaccinations and boosters • Flea treatments • Worming treatments • Regular health checks • Discounts on dentals • Discounts on neutering • Your pet’s microchip • Discounts on other veterinary products, medicines and treatments

Pet Insurance generally covers these things: • V t fees • Third party liability (dogs only)

• Complementary treatment • Advertising & reward costs

• Holiday cancellation cover if your pet is ill or injured • Pet helplines for help with legal matters or counselling • Boarding and kennel fee cover if you’re unwell • Emergency treatment abroad for your pet if they are ill or injured while you’re away • Complementary treatment • Advertising & reward costs • Holiday cancellation cov r if your pet is ill or injured • Pet helplines for help with legal matters or counselling • Boarding and kennel fee cover if you’re unwell • Emergency treatment abroad for your pet if they are ill or inj red while ou’re away

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* All policy features and benefits are subject to eligibility, individual requirements and underwriting acceptance criteria.

mipetcover.co.uk

thehealthypetclub.co.uk

MiPet Cover is a trading name of CVS (UK) Limited which is an appointed representative of Insurance Factory Ltd. Insurance Factory Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (No. 306164). Registered in England and Wales number 02982445. Registered office: Markerstudy House, 45 Westerham Road, Bessels Green, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 2QB. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register at www.fca.org.uk/register