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why and how to insure them?

Pets have taken an increasingly important place over the centuries in our homes. Once considered a “utility” (watchdog, workhorses, etc.) rather than a member of the household, the consideration of animals has now evolved. They are finally considered as living beings and not as “objects” as was previously the case in the eyes of the law. So just like us, they deserve insurance to insure them against possible accidents and illnesses that may arise.

Why insure your pet?

Having a pet doesn’t have to be a whim. It is a decision that must be well thought out and assumed. Indeed, even nowadays, too many animals are abandoned in nature… Christmas or birthday present which is no longer suitable, this is how animals are unfortunately still treated… The lack of consideration persists in some people but fortunately some animals fall into very good families where they are pampered and considered as one of their own.

In Switzerland, studies carried out in 2019 by homegate.ch showed us that one in two households owns a pet, namely 41% of the population. The star of the Swiss is the cat in first position followed by the dog. Rodents and fish take over the classification and finally reptiles and birds. The site “The Economist” also showed that Switzerland is the 4th country in the world which spends the most on their pets. In 2019, the animal care market already represented more than 650 million francs.

So yes, having a pet has a cost, you have to assume the costs that this implies: food, recreation, veterinarians, etc. Even though food and hygiene costs are also high, what may be the most expensive, is veterinary care. Apart from the costs of vaccines and passports which are mandatory when adopting your animal, it is unfortunately possible that your animal will suffer health problems or accidents during its lifetime and these costs can quickly become a burden on your household budget.

For information, here are some ideas of the prices of veterinary expenses:

  • Treatment for cuts on legs: 800 CHF
  • Treatment for bite wounds: 800 – 1’000 CHF
  • Operation after ingestion of a foreign body: 1’500 – 2’000 CHF
  • Treatment of bone fractures: 2’000 – 2’500 CHF

Often necessary interventions such as sterilization and castration are also expensive and can thus be covered by insurance to lighten your wallet.

Some owners like to pamper their animal like their own child, and nowadays, some gentle therapies such as osteopathy or physiotherapy are suitable for animals. It is a luxury that not everyone can afford to provide relief for their pet. Some insurance packages will also cover this type of treatment.

Apart from the more popular pets as mentioned above, farm animals also have a real interest in being covered.

Unfortunately, some homes do not have the means to care for their pets when an accident occurs. When the budget runs out, animals are too often left in their suffering and this can worsen which only increases the cost of care. So to avoid having to let your animal suffer, there is pet insurance that covers veterinarian costs.

How to insure your pet?

We love them as a member of our family and we want to protect them that way. So just like our children, our pets can also have their own insurance to be properly covered.

Some insurance companies offer special animal insurance. An option that you can therefore add to your other monthly premiums if you wish to stay with the same company.

Our partner insurance, specialist in animal insurance, Epona offers you monthly packages from 4.90 Fr for your dog and from 3.90 Fr for your cat.

As with basic health insurance, depending on the amount of the premium, the coverage will be different. It’s up to you to judge what your needs are and how high you want to cover your pet.

Here is some information about the terms of animal insurance:

  • The insurers cover only 80% of the costs for animals under 4 months and over 12 years old (valid for cats and dogs, this rule does not apply for example for horses).
  • It is advisable to insure your pet before his 7th birthday because some companies refuse to insure them after this age.
  • The insurance will also cover a maximum of two cats or two dogs per household. This limit does not apply for owners of horses who can be insured in unlimited numbers;

If you want to insure your pet now, make your comparison online using our personalized online simulator and find the cheapest premium!

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