FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DOG PET INSURANCE

1. Why do you need Accident-Only Pet Insurance?

As any pet parent, we consider our pets part of our family and would be devastated if anything happened to them.

However, just like us, pets can suffer from illnesses and accidents, but they can’t turn to the National Health Service for free treatment. This means we have to go to private vets and pay the bills, often very expensive bills.

When your dog gets sick or injured, the last thing you want to think about is how much the right treatment will cost.

The best option is Pet Insurance (Accident & Illness). But if you are already thinking “Is Pet Insurance Worth It?” at least, you may consider Pet Insurance Accident-Only. It does not offer cover for illness but is a cheaper option.

2. What is Accident-Only Pet Insurance?

These policies have a 12-month time limit and provide a fixed sum for accidental injury to help pay for pet’s treatment. But illnesses are not covered. They are cheaper than Accident & Illness Cover.

Pet insurance helps pay for your pet's unexpected veterinary care. It covers the cost of treating unexpected injuries due to accidents. So, your pet’s illnesses are not covered.

3. What does Accident-Only Pet Insurance cover?

Policies can include cover for:

Veterinary fees due to an accident. These fees include: the cost of diagnosing and treating injuries. This normally includes the cost of consultations, examinations, tests, x-rays, MRI scans, medication, bandages, surgery, and hospitalisation.

There is a Maximum Annual Benefit, that is the maximum amount that may be paid in each policy year for vet fees. It could be €900 - €1,000 for accidents

For the purposes of this accident cover, the following events used to be considered to be covered: Being hit by a vehicle, aggression between animals, internal injuries, breakage or trauma that impede the animal’s normal walking, running and/or jumping movement, road-traffic accidents that occur while the animal is being transported in a motor vehicle, falls resulting in internal injuries or trauma to the animal, ingestion of foreign bodies, with a limit for this cover of one claim per period of insurance, heat stroke, burns, injuries or granulomas caused by the introduction of foreign bodies into the eyes, ears or skin.

You should always read your policy’s Terms & Conditions carefully to make sure that you have the cover you need.

4. What does Accident-Only Pet Insurance not cover?

Only Veterinary fees due to an accident are covered, so the following is not covered:

• Routine and preventative treatment - Vaccinations, spaying, castration, flea, worm and tick treatments, grooming, claw clipping and teeth maintenance. tattoo- or microchip-identification, parasite treatments and preventive treatments of any kind; check-ups, revisions
• Pre-existing illness or injury
• Any form of illness, including those transmitted via stings or bites from insects, mites, rodents or other mammals. Poisoning or intoxication, whether resulting from ingestion, inhalation, stings or bites. Injuries or illnesses caused by or arising from the age of the animal. Any event arising from the practice of hunting.

You should always read your policy’s Terms & Conditions carefully to make sure that you have the cover you need.

5. Can I Choose my vet?

Yes, the policies allow you to get the vet of your choice. This point is very important because you may need a vet during a weekend trip or an emergency veterinary specialist.

Some insurers offer you a vet “network”, where you can go and do not have to pay any excess. On the other hand, the rest of vets where the insurers shall reimburse you only 80%-85% vet fees.

6. Types of Pet Insurance.

There are different pet insurance policies on the market, catering for different needs. Policies can differ, so it is important to ensure you check and understand what your policy covers:

• Pet Health Insurance (Accident & Illness Cover). These policies have a 12-month time limit and provide a fixed sum for accidental injury or illness to help pay for pet’s treatment.
• Pet Insurance (Accident-Only Cover). These policies have a 12-month time limit and provide a fixed sum for accidental injury to help pay for pet’s treatment. But illnesses are not covered. They are cheaper than Accident & Illness Cover
• Third Party Liability: These policies cover you if your dog causes an accident, injury or damage to a person or their property.

“Time limited” to 12 months. So, when the set period has ended, or the fixed sum of money for a particular illness or injury has been reached – whichever comes first – your pet will not be covered for the rest of the policy duration.

7. When should I buy an Accident-Only Pet Insurance?

It is important to buy pet insurance as soon as you get a new pet because you won’t be able to find insurance to cover the cost of treating an injury once it’s happened, and most policies won’t cover the cost of treating pre-existing medical conditions.

Furthermore, most policies have a “Waiting Period”, that is a period at the start of the policy when veterinary treatment is not covered, typically the first 15 days.

You should always read your policy’s Terms & Conditions carefully to make sure that you have the cover you need

Things you need to know when buying Accident-Only Pet Insurance.

Policies can differ, so it is important to ensure you understand what your policy covers.

• Accident & illness or Accident-Only. The policy covers illness or does not.
• Annual maximum benefit. The maximum amount that may be paid by the insurer per year.
• Excess & Percentage of Reimbursement. If you have to pay an amount per claim or not.
• Choose the vet. If you can choose the vet of your choice, or you have to choose vet in an insurer’s vet network.
• Exclusions. Pre-existing and congenital conditions.
• Waiting periods. A period at the start of the policy when your pet is not covered, typically the first 15 days for general covers and 30 days for Assistance Vet due to illness
• Additional covers. Theft with violence, Advertising & Reward, Expenses for burial or cremation, Death by Accident or Illness, Euthanasia and disposal of the remains of the animal, Stay at a kennel due to hospitalisation of the owner, Legal Defence and Judicial Guarantees, Telephone Assistance.

9. Third Party Liability. Optional cover in Pet Insurance Accident-Only

Third Party Liability is the main cover to include in the policy, because you are liable for damage or accident caused by your dog.

10. Other Covers to include in Accident-Only Pet Insurance

In addition to Third Party Liability there are other covers, that could be included or not included that could complete your policy:

• Theft with violence. Cover up to purchase price of your pet if it is theft with violence.
• Advertising & Reward. The expenses arising from announcements made on local radio stations and the press for the purposes of locating the animal and also from boarding the lost animal.
• Expenses for burial or cremation. The expenses arising from the burial or cremation of the insured animal.
• Death from Injury or Accident. Cover up to purchase price of your pet if it either dies or has to be put to sleep as a result of an injury.
• Death from Illness. Cover up to purchase price of your pet if it either dies or has to be put to sleep as a result of an illness.
• Euthanasia and disposal of the remains of the animal. The expenses arising from the necessary euthanasia and disposal of the body, when the veterinarian considers such to be necessary due to the nature of the injuries suffered as the result of an accident, or due to the physical deterioration of the animal as the result of ageing or illness.
• Stay at a kennel due to hospitalisation of the owner Cover the expenses arising from the insured animal’s stay at an authorised kennel, as a result of the owner’s hospitalisation due to accident, illness or childbirth.
• Legal defence for public liability The insurer shall defend the insured in the event of civil action.
• Judicial Guarantees. in the event of civil action
• Telephone Assistance: Contact information of Hotels in Spain that allow pets, Animal shelters and rescue homes, Pet clubs, Pet groomers. Pet sitters, Breeders, Specialist shops… Advice service: Provides advice and guidance: Before travelling abroad; Veterinary advice by telephone: a 24-hour service where owners can seek advice regarding symptoms, veterinary treatments, health programmes, geriatric care, oral care, etc. This service includes a veterinary diagnosis and should be treated as advice. Advice on administrative procedures: this service offers guidance on official procedures involving public authorities or private organisations that affect your pet. Legal advice by telephone: this service provides owners with legal advice over the telephone concerning any legal situation or query affecting them with regards to their pet.

1. Why you need Third Party Liability Insurance for your dog

According to the Spanish Civil Code, article 1905 http://www.derechocivilhoy.es/normativa/general/spanish-civil-code.pdf “The possessor of an animal or the person who avails himself of it, is liable for any damage causes by the latter, even if it should be escaped or been lost. This liability shall only cease of the damage should result form force majeure or from the negligence of the person who has suffered the damage”

So, if our dog bites or pulls someone down, and causes damage, or runs out into the road and causes a traffic accident, we shall be liable and we shall have to pay, “even if the dog should be escaped or been lost”. Nowadays dog owners will have a legal obligation to have their dogs microchipped and registered with a microchip database.

Compulsory Third Party Liability Insurance for dogs in Spain:

• Dog owners who live in Madrid (Comunidad de Madrid) are required by law to obtain Public Liability Insurance for their dog (Link a ley de Madrid)
• Owners of Potentially Dangerous Dogs are legally required to hold Public Liability Insurance with cover of at least 120,000 euros, in some Comunidades Autónomas at least €175,000 (link a Ley de PPP)

2. What is Third Party Liability Dog Insurance?

Third Party Liability Dog Insurance covers compensations and costs arising from accidental injury or damage caused by your dog.

3. What does Pet´s Third Party Liability Insurance cover?

Public Liability Dog Insurance covers the payment of any indemnities for which you may be found publicly liable by law as the result of bodily or material injuries (and damage arising therefrom) caused to third parties by your dog.

You should be also covered for the following (even in the event of unfounded claims):

• The payment of judicial guarantees to ensure the civil outcome of the proceedings.
• The legal expenses

There are maximum annual limits, that it is the maximum amount that may be paid by insurer. It could be between €60.000 and €600.000.

You should always read your policy’s Terms & Conditions carefully to make sure that you have the cover you need.

4. What does Dog´s Third Party Liability Insurance not cover?

The following would not be covered:

• Injury to individuals attending to the animal’s needs.
• Claims arising from the infringement of laws, regulations, ordinances and other legal provisions in force that apply to the possession of animals, particularly those relating to health and welfare issues.
• The payment of sanctions or fines, along with the consequences of their non-payment.
• Liability arising from infection or the transmission of diseases by the animals.
• Damage that is not caused by the insured animal.
• Damage caused while hunting.
• Psychological damage and any other form of damage other than that of a personal and material nature.
• Damage arising from the non-fulfilment of contractual obligations.
• The unlawful abduction of the insured animal.
• Indirect and/or consequential damage.

You should always read your policy’s Terms & Conditions carefully to make sure that you have the cover you need.

5. What is Legal Defence for Public Liability cover?

Legal Defence coverage used to be included in Third Party Liability policy but not always.

The insurer shall defend you in the event of civil action arising as a result of claims covered by the policy, including when the claims prompting said action are unfounded. The defence shall be conducted by the insurer, which will appoint the lawyers and solicitors.

In terms of criminal actions, the insurer shall conduct the defence of the insured, provided the insured is in agreement.

There is a maximum annual limit, that it is the maximum amount that may be paid by insurer for Legal Defence and Judicial Guarantees

6. What are Judicial Guarantees and Legal Expenses?

If your dog causes an injury to someone, you could be involved in a court case and you would have to pay the lawyer's costs and expenses and judicial guarantees to ensure the civil outcome of the proceedings. These amounts shall be paid by insurer.

7. What is Excess?

Excess is the amount you have to pay of any compensation, costs and expenses. It used to be between €90 and €300.

8. When should I buy a Pet´s Third Party Liability Insurance?

It is important to buy Third Party Liability Pet Insurance as soon as you get a new pet because you won’t be able to find insurance to cover any indemnity once it’s happened.

Most Public Liability Pet Insurance policies have not “Waiting Period”, that is a period at the start of the policy when you are not covered.

You should always read your policy’s Terms & Conditions carefully to make sure that you have the cover you need

Things you need to know when buying Pet´s Third Party Liability Insurance

Policies can differ, so it is important to ensure you understand what your policy covers.

• Annual Maximum benefit. The maximum amount that may be paid by insurer per year. Used to be between €60.000 and €600.000.
• Sublimit per victim.
• Legal defence for public liability and Judicial Guarantees. The insurer shall defend the insured in the event of civil action.
• Excess. If you have to pay an amount per claim or not.
• Territorial scope. Countries where the cover provided by this insurance is limited to.
• Choose the vet. If you can choose the vet of your choice, or you have to choose vet in an insurer’s vet network.
• Additional covers. Theft with violence, Advertising & Reward, Expenses for burial or cremation, Death by Accident or Illness, Euthanasia and disposal of the remains of the animal.

10. Other Covers to include in Pet´s Third Party Liability Insurance

When you are looking for a Public Liability Insurance for your dog, it is important to check these complementary covers were included:

• Legal defence for public liability. The insurer shall defend the insured in the event of civil action.
• Judicial Guarantees, in the event of civil action

1. How to buy a Pet Insurance?

SegurosVeterinarios.com® makes it easy. Fill in a quick form, compare quotes, choose and find the best deals.

• Fill in a quick form (only Pet's Breed & Age). You only have to fill in your PET’S BREED & AGE. If you cannot find your pet’s breed or no quotes are shown, please contact us and we will send you a quote.
• Compare Plans (Prices & Coverages). SegurosVeterinarios.com® help you to compare plans. You will compare not only prices but also covers. Sort the quotes by price, by level of coverage, by insurer, by excess. Select different quotes and compare all their covers. Access to Policies Terms & Conditions.
• Choose the best deals. You have obtained all the information about different plans, so you are ready to decide on the one which suits you best. Furthermore, contact us if you have any doubt, we will be happy to help you.
• Fill in rest of data required. Your Pet’s details (microchip, assumptions about your dog’s health). your details (name, address…).
• Online Purchasing & Secure payments. We offer you a Secure Platform of Payment (PayPal). You can choose to pay the policy by credit or debit card o PayPal Account.
• You will receive a confirmation email. Your application will send to the insurance company, who validates it. Then you will receive the pet insurance Policy and Terms & Conditions by email and also by post mail.

2. Can I insure all pets?

The policies require that the insured animals:

• be registered and bear the microchip identification number assigned to it
• be up to date with its official schedule of vaccinations
• be in perfect health, without any injuries or physical disabilities
• be used as pets or companion animal.
• be more than 3 months old, or less than 9 years old.

If your pet has any different feature, please contact us info@segurosveterinarios.comand we will try to find the right insurance for your pet.

3. I do not find the proper insurance for my pet.

Please contact us by email info@segurosveterinarios.com or phone 911.333.172. We will try to offer you the policy you are looking for.

4. How to pay the Pet Insurance?

In the purchasing process you will pay the annual premium, using a Secure Platform of Payment (PayPal), by:

• By Credit / Debit Card
• By PayPal account,

We need your bank details, because the insurer need it for pay you the claims and 2º and latter annual premium.

5. How will I receive the policy?

You will receive a confirmation email of successful application, and other with your policy and Terms & Conditions, that also will send you by postal mail.

6. How to claim?

For Veterinary Assistance cover. You go to the vet, pay the bill and ask for a vet the bill and a report about the accident or illness, diagnosis and treatment, Vet Details (first name and surname, nº registered vet), dog details (breed, nº microchip).

Insurers have telephone and website where inform you how and where to send documents. Indicate your details and policy number.

In a few days, the insurer will process the claim, check it in the cover and will proceed to reimburse the money to your bank account.

Often, insurers have Telephone Assistance Line. They can help you to find a vet or to arrange an appointment

For the rest of cover, please read Terms & Conditions and contact as soon as possible to the insurer. They shall indicate how to proceed.

1. Why should I use the Pet Insurance Comparison Website SegurosVeterinarios.com®?

SegurosVeterinarios.com® is a tool that make it easy for you to find the right deals, saving time and money. We show you in a unique web site all pet insurance market offer.

SegurosVeterinarios.com® have previously studied, analysed and sorted main covers of each policy and also the prices and shows you all the information in a clear way, to make it easy to understand and decide which policy suits best.

We work for you:

• We have read all policies’ Terms & Conditions
• We group policies according to their covers. So you will able to compare similar policies.:
  • Pet Health Insurance (Accident & Illness Cover). Vet Fees due to an accident or an illness are covered.
  • Accident-Only Pet Insurance. Vet Fees due to Accident are covered, but not due to illness.
  • Third Party Liability Pet Insurance. Compensations and costs arising from accidental injury or damage caused by your dog are covered.
• We have sorted covers. So in a quick and easy way you will be able to check and understand what is covered and what is not covered. We allow you to access to Policies Terms & Conditions
• Even in the case you already have any doubt, contact us and we will be happy to explain you any question.
• We offer an easy and quick application form and a Secure Platform of Payment (PayPal), by Credit/ Debit Card or PayPal account.

We offer you all these service without any extra cost.

2. About SegurosVeterinarios.com®?

SegurosVeterinarios.com® is the Pet Health Insurance Comparison Website specialist in Spain. We offer you plans from top insurance companies. The widest range of pet insurance plans in the market.

In an easy and quickly way, you will obtain all the information for being able to decide on the pet insurance which suits you best. Online Purchasing & Secure payments. Without any extra cost.

3. Is independent SegurosVeterinarios.com®?

SegurosVeterinarios.com® is the first running Spain Pet Insurance Comparison Website. We are independent and so, impartial. We do not belong to any insurer or financial company, so we show the information clearly.

SegurosVeterinarios.com® is a web domain and Trademark registered at Spanish Patent and Trade Mark Office (SPTO)(link a http://www.oepm.es/en/index.htmls ) by SegurosVeterinarios Online, S.L.. More info (Link to LEGAL ADVICE)