Health insurance for dogs and cats: why protect our four-legged friends?

Our furry friends, as we know, are members of our family in every way. The health and safety of dogs and cats are always, or at least very often, top of mind for their owners. From a health perspective, while the possibility of illness or the harmful effects of an accident are generally a major concern, the thought of having to resort to expensive medical treatments is certainly no less so. In the case of dogs, other safety -related factors come into play, especially if they are large breeds, which could cause damage to property and people. Greater caution is always advisable to avoid the owner's risk of civil liability for the animal's behavior.

Pets in Italy: How many are there?

According to the 2019 Assalco-Zoomark report, the domestic cat population is estimated to have reached 7.3 million , compared to 7 million for dogs . However, of the 38.8% of Italian families that own at least one dog or cat, 18.3% are cat-loving families, while 27.1% are dog-loving families. Since 2018, the number of cats in Italian families has seen a slight decline; on the other hand, the number of dogs has increased by approximately 25,000 in the same period. If we consider the pet world as a whole, including other species in the Italian census, we find fish (30 million) and birds (13 million) in the lead, ahead of cats and dogs. These numbers place Italy first in Europe in terms of the pet-to-human population ratio, and among the very top in terms of pet-friendly behavior. Our country's picture is therefore very clear, even in terms of accessibility and services. In other words, Italy has many pets, and Italians take proper care of them.

Dog or cat insurance: why is it worth it?

But let's now look at the wallets of pet owners, such as dogs and cats. According to the latest Eurispes report, the average monthly expenditure on pets is increasing. After taking into account species, age, and size, the average monthly expenditure ranges from €51 to €100, mostly absorbed by toys and various gifts. However, veterinary expenses potentially have a considerable impact on the family budget, which is why it's worth considering health insurance for your dog or cat. It's estimated that Italian families take their pets to the vet at least twice a year, with an estimated average cost of €100. The purpose of this concise guide is therefore to provide owners with more tools to better evaluate this coverage, the types offered by the insurance market, and the associated costs. We'll begin with the regulatory details, exploring the details included in pet policies: what events they cover and how they work.

Dog and cat insurance: what does it cover?

Dog and Cat Insurance is an insurance contract that provides financial protection to pet owners in the event of:

Civil Liability

Damage or accidents involving your dog or cat (and/or caused by them). More specifically, we're thinking of:

• Personal Injury : Protection in the event of unintentional bodily injury or death to other people (even strangers invading your private property)
• Damage and breakage : protection if your pet accidentally damages other people's property
• Animal attacks : protection in the event of attacks on other animals, of any species.

Legal protection

Legal Protection insurance is available when you need to protect your rights and those of your pet, ensuring adequate defense in the event of disputes and avoiding legal fees. A typical example is disputes between condominium members or with neighbors over your pet. Do the residents in your building dislike pets? Does your dog bark a lot and make them angry? Legal protection typically provides legal representation at all levels of proceedings and also covers the opposing party's legal fees and any expert opinions.

Medical care

To ensure your dog or cat receives the best veterinary care, obtain reimbursement for pre- and post-operative and physiotherapy expenses, and, in short, cover any unexpected veterinary expenses, health insurance is undoubtedly the best protection for your pet. It covers all expenses associated with surgery ( prosthetics , medications) and physiotherapy treatments before and after hospitalization, as well as a contribution of €25 per day for the first five days of hospitalization.

Dog and cat insurance: how much does it cost?

In principle, like a standard insurance policy, health insurance for dogs and cats is purchased and signed by the owner , who is responsible for the animal, but the coverage extends to the entire family. A key factor to consider when choosing the most convenient policy is the maximum coverage limit , which corresponds to the maximum amount paid by the insurance company to cover the claims covered by the policy (damage or veterinary expenses incurred). The maximum coverage limit is highly variable; very high coverage limits may be provided, for example, for a particularly valuable cat or dog, a purebred, compared to a mixed-breed. Other factors that determine the amount of the premium to be paid and the guaranteed benefits include any coverage abroad, the imposed age limits, and the maximum reimbursement limit .

But how much does it cost to insure a dog or cat?

Ultimately, when it comes to insurance premiums, this is the most frequently asked question. The policy premium (which varies depending on the optional coverage included) is a fairly modest sum, roughly between €50 and €100 per year for a basic plan, paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. This expense is worth it when you consider that it can allow the owner to obtain coverage of more than €150,000 in the event of an emergency. Therefore, even though it's not mandatory, this type of insurance remains a good investment to protect against unexpected expenses.

Car insurance: what does it cover for pets on board?

We'd like to dedicate an interesting appendix to this topic, linking pet coverage to the world of car insurance. Specifically, we're talking about car insurance for damages sustained by pets while in the car. While this situation isn't covered by traditional car insurance, it does cover injuries sustained by an animal transported inside the car following an at-fault accident . As detailed in the contracts, there are basic conditions; transporting your four-legged friend must comply with legal requirements and with the necessary precautions to avoid harm to the animal. The coverage applies even if the policyholder doesn't cause the accident, but they won't receive any compensation.

Possible compensations

Car insurance offers a wide range of coverage for pets on board, including veterinary clinic fees, medications prescribed by a veterinarian, physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatments, the use of braces, use of operating rooms, and veterinarian fees. If the resulting death of the dog or cat being transported results, the company will pay the insured amount, minus any previously paid medical expenses.

Insurance exceptions

While there are numerous possibilities for obtaining compensation, there are just as many exceptions, which do not guarantee any right to coverage. The driver is responsible for: lack of a driving license; participation in races or competitions; driving under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or psychotropic drugs; and the insured vehicle is not in compliance with the MOT. Exceptions for the animal that could result in a lack of compensation include: poor health or impaired physical integrity, or pre-existing pathological conditions unrelated to the road accident.