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vs self-insuring
If your pet gets injured or falls ill, an unexpected trip to the vet can be super stressful – and can hit you hard in the pocket. So what’s the best way to cover expensive vet fees?
Should you take out a policy and get the reassurance that comes with it? Or would you be better off self-insuring and putting your money away in a savings account each month?
What is ?
Like any other type of insurance, is a policy that helps protect and cover you against unexpected costs.
There’s no legal requirement to have , but the most common reason people protect their pet is to cover the cost of expensive vet fees.
You’ll pay a monthly or annual premium, and if your pet gets injured or falls ill, your pet insurer will help cover the costs.
What is self-insuring?
Self-insuring your pet is when you put money away each week or month to build up a savings pot to pay for potential vet bills.
If you don’t want traditional , or feel that it’s too expensive, self-insuring may be something you’ve considered. But you’ll need to be serious about your savings – and think about how much you can afford to put away.
Could self-insuring cover the cost of vet care?
Whether you could afford expensive vet fees without will depend on your financial situation and costs of your pet’s treatments.
If your pet suffers a serious injury which requires surgery, X-rays or continuous treatment, your vet’s fees could add up to thousands of pounds.
If your pet has an ongoing, terminal or critical condition, you’ll have to pay for regular treatment and medication over your pet’s lifetime.
may help you cover these costs. But if you choose to self-insure, you’ll have to pick up the tab on your own.
What type of should you get?
If you decide that self-insuring doesn't give you the peace of mind you need, purchasing a policy is a popular alternative. But with so many options available, how do you know which one to choose?
Our guide to sheds some light on the typical types of cover and provides a few pointers on what to consider when choosing a policy.
To make your life easier, we’ve also summarised the different types of pet policies below.
collapsed Lifetime
This is the most comprehensive available. When you take out a lifetime policy, your pet is covered up to a set amount each year. And as long as you renew your policy without a break in cover, the full amount resets every year and becomes available again.
collapsed Time limited
With this policy, each condition is covered for 12 months from the first date of treatment or until the maximum benefit is paid for that condition – whichever comes first. After this, you’ll need to pay for any ongoing treatment yourself.
collapsed Accident only
Accident only policies are typically the least expensive available. They help cover the cost of vet fees if your pet’s injured as a result of being involved in an accident or being attacked by another animal.
What else does cover?
While the most common reason for getting is to cover the cost of expensive vet fees, there are a number of additional benefits available.
And of course, if you choose to self-insure, you’ll have to pay for it all out of your own pocket.
When it comes to our , we’ll also cover you for:
- Third party liability cover should your dog damage property or injure somebody
- Dental treatment, terms and conditions apply
- Physiotherapy and complementary treatments
- Local advertising and reward costs if your cat or dog goes missing or is stolen
- Emergency boarding kennel or cattery fees if the policyholder is hospitalised for 48 hours or more
- Holiday cancellation cover if you have to cancel or cut short a holiday due to your pet falling ill or going missing
- Assistance abroad, including overseas vet fees and the cost of replacing lost pet travel documents
Please note that we won't cover the cost of any pre-existing conditions and that terms, conditions, excesses, exclusions and limitations apply. You can find out more about the terms of our cover in our policy documents.
Other helpful guides
Our handy pet guides can help you make an informed choice on the best way to protect your pet.
Any other questions?
If you want to know more about , we may have the answer for you in our frequently asked questions.
Search FAQsReady to protect your pet?
If you’ve decided that is the right plan for you, you can go ahead and protect your pet now.
With cover for vet fees and 24/7 Vet Assistance as standard, we’ll help give you the support you need.
Find out moreNeed to talk to us?
Find the details you need in our FAQs.
collapsed Terms and conditions
Important information
Sainsbury's B@nk plc, Registered Office, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no. 3279730) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register no. 184514). Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd is an appointed representative of Sainsbury's B@nk plc.
Sainsbury's B@nk plc, Registered Office, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no. 3279730) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register no. 184514). Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd is an appointed representative of Sainsbury's B@nk plc.
Sainsbury's B@nk plc acts as an introducer to Pinnacle Insurance plc who is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered Office: Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 2XX. Sainsbury’s B@nk plc and Pinnacle Insurance plc are not part of the same corporate group.