Pet insurance: types, what they cover and the small print

The types

• Third-party liability: pays for the harm your animal causes to others. It is compulsory for potentially dangerous dogs, with at least €120,000 (€150,253 in Catalonia). Ley 7/2023 (the Animal Welfare Act) requires it for all dogs, but the regulation that sets the amount is still missing.
• Health or vet cover: covers consultations, tests, operations or hospital stays. Some work with approved vets (a network), and others pay you back a percentage of what you pay at your own vet (reimbursement).
• Accidents: only covers what happens because of an accident, not illnesses. It is cheaper.
• Extras: loss or theft, boarding costs if you fall ill, cremation or euthanasia.

Before you sign, check

• Waiting periods: how long it takes from signing up until you can use each type of cover.
• Exclusions: almost none cover illnesses your pet already had, and some exclude breeds or hereditary problems.
• Age: many only accept young animals, and some raise the price a lot over the years.
• Excess and limits: the part you pay for each claim and the maximum they cover per year.
• Whether you are already covered: some home insurance policies include third-party liability for animals. Check before you pay twice.

Is it worth it?

It depends on your budget and your animal. Third-party liability is cheap and protects you from a nasty shock, so for a dog it is almost always worth it. Health cover makes more sense if paying for an operation in one go would be hard for you. Compare on what it covers, not just on price.

At Petuki we do not sell insurance or get paid by any insurer: this is general information to help you compare with good judgement.