“More than ever, animals are part of the family. There are even shrinks for dogs and cats! Veterinary care is increasingly important, so we want to anticipate these expenses ”, explains Fabien Soccio, project manager at Meilleureassurance.com, an online insurance comparator, to explain the interest in insuring his animal. Expenses at the vet can quickly escalate. A simple consultation costs between € 30 and € 40. A vaccination, between € 50 and € 80. For more complex medical procedures, the prices can soar: 1,500 € on average per year for radiotherapy in the event of cancer. “People who buy insurance are more likely 40 years or older and have had several animals so they know what the vet costs are. They want to anticipate these significant costs in order to have smoothed expenses ”, analyzes the specialist.
How much does insurance cost?
“Between € 320 and € 350 per year on average (€ 25 to € 30 per month), these prices vary between dogs and cats, according to breeds or ages, although most insurers now harmonize prices between breeds. “, explains Julien Fillaud, Managing Director of Comparadise, another insurance comparator. 100% online start-ups, which therefore have less costs, offer cheaper offers than traditional players.
For a fictitious dog, a tattooed 2-year-old male named Rex (too bad for the originality), the “economic” rates vary from € 9.50 to € 30 per month, depending on the insurers and the specifics of each. contract.
How to choose it well?
As with all insurance, be aware of the specific conditions and not rush. In addition to the price, several points must be analyzed. “ You have to be clear about what to expect: insurance only in the event of an accident or one that covers all medical costs ”, emphasizes Julien Fillaud. Being 100% insured is often very expensive. As for a mutual for a human, it is necessary to make a profitability calculation between this formula and one with an out-of-pocket expense.
Risk sensitivity remains a personal matter. On the other hand, we must pay attention to ceilings’, for his part Fabien Soccio. Indeed, despite a 100% refund, a refund limit may be included in the contract. Or some costs, for example in the case of chronic illness, can climb very quickly.
Last recommendation: look at the age limits. A dog or cat over 10 years old is almost impossible to insure. Under 3 months, it is also complex. Better to insure your animal when it is young, in order to avoid additional costs or unpleasant surprises.
Can we only insure dogs and cats?
No, new pets (NACs) like rabbits, ferrets and birds can be. But this remains rare. “Dog insurance concerns 70% of our requests, for NACs, it is barely 3%”, notes the leader of Comparadise.
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