Pets are part of the family. So they need protection too. Insurance for pets is increasingly sought in Portugal, taking into account that they safeguard the health of the same and possible damage that may cause to third parties.
Pet insurance has seen a great growth, taking into account the increase in the number of people with dogs and cats. In view of the concern of guardians with their animals, there has also been an increased need to take out insurance that offers protection against unexpected expenses and provides the peace of mind that your four-legged friend receives the best possible care.
Caring for a pet goes beyond ensuring food and care. With increasing veterinary expenses, it is important to ensure the health and welfare of animals so that there are no unexpected financial challenges.
This type of insurance offers coverage for a wide range of veterinary services, from regular consultations and preventive treatments to emergencies and complex surgeries. So you can focus on what really matters: making the most of quality time with your pet, knowing that it is prepared for any eventuality.
Continue reading the article and learn about the benefits and possible insurance coverage.
8 advantages in purchasing pet insurance
Accidents happen, both in humans and animals. When there are suspicious symptoms in your bigeye or when, in a routine consultation, tests are often suggested by the veterinarian, the final count can easily reach three digits. In the face of veterinary expenses, insurance mitigates the financial impact of the situation with significant discounts. In fact, there are several benefits of these insurances:
1. Coverage of veterinary expenses:
These insurances help to cover the costs of consultations, examinations, surgeries and treatments, which can be quite high, especially in cases of emergencies or chronic diseases. At the same time, you can focus more on your pet’s health and less on the costs it entails.
2. Savings and financial tranquility:
With this solution, you can better plan your family budget knowing that the unexpected expenses for your pet’s health are protected. You can also save money on more expensive treatments. If your four-legged friend is hospitalized, the insurance helps you cover the costs of the veterinarian’s stay and all tests that are necessary to perform.
3. Access to preventive care:
Many insurance policies for dogs and cats cover preventive care, including vaccinations, routine consultations and antiparasitic treatments.
4. Increased treatment options:
With an insurance for your animal, you get a wider range of treatments. Dogs or cats can be injured or diagnosed with a serious illness, so this insurance increases the treatment options available.
5. Flexibility in the choice of veterinarian:
One of the great advantages of this insurance is that you can choose your own veterinarian. So, you can find the professional that best suits your pet’s needs and profile.
6. Emergency coverage:
In emergency situations, such as accidents or serious illness, the insurance ensures that your pet receives the necessary treatment without having to worry about the immediate cost of it.
7. Continuous protection:
Some insurance covers chronic diseases and hereditary conditions, offering continuous and long-term care.
8. Possibility of exclusive advantages:
Many insurance policies for dogs and cats include exclusive benefits in various services such as food, bathing, shaving, transport, pet sitting and dog walker.
Now that you know the advantages of this insurance, be aware of your possible coverages, in order to have the best insurance for animals.
What does dog and cat insurance cover?
The coverage of this insurance may vary depending on the plan chosen, but as a rule it includes veterinary consultations, clinical examinations, surgeries, treatments, hospitalizations and medicines. Some insurance policies can also cover the costs of vaccination, deworming and sterilization. In fact, there are several coverages available:
- Veterinary expenses, which may be routine or may be related to accidents or diseases;
- Payment of medical expenses for examinations and treatments;
- Access to a wide network of providers;
- Vaccination of the insured animal;
- Admissions;
- Veterinary support without travel with the possibility of telephone advice;
- Payment of expenses for products and services directed to the animal, such as shearing and feeding;
- Payment of assistance services and expenses of the funeral service in mainland Portugal;
- Guarantee, under the conditions and limits established, of payment of legal fees and court fees;
- Civil liability coverage;
- The plans may vary according to the age of the animal (hence it is necessary to carefully analyze the different coverages), the state of health, weight and breed (in case it is considered dangerous).
Potentially dangerous dogs are those that, in view of their species characteristics, exhibit aggressive behavior or jaw size or power capable of causing injury or death to people or other animals. The potentially dangerous breeds of dogs are as follows: Brazilian Tail Dog, Argentine Doggie, Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiller, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Inu Shearing.
It is important to note that all policies impose age limits for membership or access to certain coverage. Therefore, it is important to take out insurance as soon as possible, especially before the animal turns three years old.
Likewise, it should be noted that animal health insurance cannot be deducted directly from the IRS, as it is not included in CAE 75,000 (Art.º 78.º F). The only way to recover some of these amounts is if they are included in the family overheads.
Choose the best insurance for your pet
Choosing the best insurance for your four-legged companion is not a simple task. To make the best possible choice, you need to take into account the age and health of the animal, the available coverage, exclusions, capital limits for certain procedures and the annual premium. This premium is normally higher for dogs than for cats. According to information released by Deco Proteste, and quoted by ECOseguros, dogs require about 1,021 euros per year and cats 892 euros.
Don’t forget to also check whether the premium,that is, the amount paid monthly to the insurer, is compatible with your family budget. Therefore, it is important to make a previous simulation, for which you can count on the help of Famasegur. Contact us and ask for a simulation.
