Most pet owners know the usual yearly expenses for their pets include annual vaccinations, worming, flea and tick treatments and food, however no one is ever really prepared for an unfortunate event that ends them in pet emergency with a sick or hurt fur friend.

Not only do you have to deal with the upset of seeing your best friend in pain, you also get hit with often hefty vet bills that can make the situation even worse. For this reason, pet insurance is a godsend to take the stress off an already stressful event.

However, not all pet insurance companies are made equal. When deciding on the best policy that suits you and your fur friend there are a few factors you need to consider.

• Monthly premium
• Type of cover provided (accident, illness, comprehensive?)
• Yearly limits on claims made
• Excess costs (the amount you have to pay when making a claim)
• Extras (flea, tick, boarding and heartworm control are some of the extras you might see)
• Age limits (Because older dogs are at a higher risk of getting disease and illness there are some insurers who won’t consider a pet over 8 + years of age)
• Always read the policy disclosure documents
• Listen to the advice of others. There’s nothing like getting the best opinions of those who have lived through it and experienced the quality of an insurer first hand.

While some people choose not to cover their pets in insurance plans, there are many who can vouch for the benefits of having the financial support of a good insurance company when misfortune or illness strikes their fur friend. Doing research of the market will make a big difference when choosing the best cover out there.