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Pet owners without pet insurance could find they have to pay thousands of pounds for common ailments, research from Scratch & Patch has found.
In a survey to find out the most expensive treatment for pets, Scratch & Pet found that acute gastroenteritis had the highest costs of £8,000 to treat. According to Scratch & Pet, acute gastroenteritis is a common pet ailment that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, medication or even new food. The second most expensive condition was road traffic incidents, which can cost £7,825, while the third most expensive was mast cell tumours, which cost £7,537 to treat. Something as simple as a limping can cost pet owners £7,434.
With common pet ailments costing thousands of pounds to treat, investing in a good pet insurance policy can help protect pet owners from having to pay eye-wateringly high vet bills. As Ian Rauland, managing director at Scratch & Patch, explained: “The industry has a responsibility to educate consumers on the cost of treatment so people can make informed decisions.
“Our survey showed a lack of knowledge on what treatment might cost. The average cost of treating Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), a condition very common in flat-nosed dogs, for example is £1,686, almost twice what our pet-owner respondents thought it would be (£889). And as our research shows, our highest claim costs for this condition are more than £7,000.
“The hard truth is there is no free healthcare system for animals, and no one wants to have to consider the life and death of their loved pet because of money.”
Owners of pets with existing conditions are able to get pet insurance, or change from their existing policy to a new pet insurer. Saying this, it is harder to find pet insurance if a pet has an existing condition and the premium for the policy may be higher. Owners of pets with existing conditions should research carefully the policies on offer to ensure that their pet will be fully covered before making a switch or taking out a new insurance policy.
Rauland added: “Until recently if you made a claim to treat a pet’s condition, you would be forced to stick with an existing provider regardless of premium hikes or have that condition excluded from another policy. Scratch & Patch now uses medical risk rating technology similar to the systems used in travel insurance which means you can buy cover for pets’ pre-existing medical conditions.”
A list of pet insurers who have been rated five or four stars by the Moneyfacts team of experts can be found on our pet insurance page.
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In today’s world, there are plenty of threats to the security and viability of your wealth. You might be concerned about how the cost of living crisis will affect your savings and investments, for example, and already be having conversations with your financial planner about how to mitigate these effects. One potential challenge you could face in the coming months and years that you may not have considered is falling victim to an online scam.
One potential challenge you could face in the coming months and years that you may not have considered is falling victim to an online scam.
UK inflation reached 9.1% in the 12 months until May, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced today. Previously, inflation reached 9% in the 12 months to April. May’s inflation rate means it is the highest figure to be recorded in the National Statistics series, which began in 1997, and the highest inflation has been in 40 years.
UK inflation reached 9.1% in the 12 months until May, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced today.
Nationwide BS has increased the introductory rate on its FlexDirect current account to 5% today, making it the highest rate on the market for high interest current accounts. The latest increase means Virgin Money’s Club M and M Plus accounts offer the next highest rate on the market at 2.02%.
Nationwide BS has increased the rate on its FlexDirect current account to 5%, making it the highest rate on the market for high interest current accounts.
In today’s world, there are plenty of threats to the security and viability of your wealth. You might be concerned about how the cost of living crisis will affect your savings and investments, for example, and already be having conversations with your financial planner about how to mitigate these effects. One potential challenge you could face in the coming months and years that you may not have considered is falling victim to an online scam.
One potential challenge you could face in the coming months and years that you may not have considered is falling victim to an online scam.
UK inflation reached 9.1% in the 12 months until May, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced today. Previously, inflation reached 9% in the 12 months to April. May’s inflation rate means it is the highest figure to be recorded in the National Statistics series, which began in 1997, and the highest inflation has been in 40 years.
UK inflation reached 9.1% in the 12 months until May, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced today.
Nationwide BS has increased the introductory rate on its FlexDirect current account to 5% today, making it the highest rate on the market for high interest current accounts. The latest increase means Virgin Money’s Club M and M Plus accounts offer the next highest rate on the market at 2.02%.
Nationwide BS has increased the rate on its FlexDirect current account to 5%, making it the highest rate on the market for high interest current accounts.
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