If you keep pets yet undermine the importance of securing insurance for them, you’re doing those creatures no good. It doesn’t just end at securing one; it also includes ensuring it is from the best insurance company. That is why you should look into Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance scheme.
With the varying policies about pets in the UK, it can easily mislead one into getting just any kind of pet insurance. And that is why we bring you this article: to help you know what’s best for you.
The availability of pet protection plans is just so they meet your pocketbook needs. However, it will be nice if you understand the nitty-gritty of what you’re in for.
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
Usually, these plans for pets are the same across all pet insurance providers in the UK, but the essence is to secure financial security if your pet becomes sick or sustains an injury.
It also saves you money from paying for a reward and publicity in case your pet misses its way and you can’t find it. Moreso, it covers fees for boarding when you need your pet to be taken care of.
But, it does not take care of; conditions that have occurred beforehand, issues that may arise within the first ten days of coverage, breeds covered by the Dangerous Dogs Acts of 1991, new policies for any pet older than 8 weeks, dogs older than a specified age such as 9 years, and felines that are beyond 11 years of age.
What are the Features of Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance?
| Feature | A good policy includes | Does Sainsbury’s Deliver? | Sainsbury’s Lifetime Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Must Have” Features | |||
| Vet fee limit | £4,000+ |  | Lifetime cover: £2,500, £5,000 or £7,500; Time-limited cover: £3,000 |
| Vet cover for accidents | Included |  | Included |
| Vet cover for illnesses | Included | | Included |
| Vet cover for long-term and ongoing conditions | Included | | If you buy a Lifetime cover, |
| Hereditary and congenital conditions | Included | | No exclusions for hereditary or congenital conditions |
| included if the pet has regular dental checks and advice followed within 6 months | included if the pet has regular dental checks and advice followed within 6 months | | “Pet needs annual check-ups and recommended actions taken within 6 months; treatment to relieve suffering; dental crowns, root canals, or fillings not covered.” |
| Dental care for injury | included if the pet has regular dental checks and advice followed within 6 months | | Included |
| Alternative treatments | Homoeopathy, acupuncture and physiotherapy as recommended by the vet | | Included |
| Time to claim | At least 6 months | | Submit within 12 months of treatment |
| Out-of-hours emergencies | Included | | As long as vet confirms that moving your pet or waiting until normal surgery hours would either endanger its life or significantly worsen the condition |
| 24/7 vet helpline | Included | | 0303 334 0796 |
| Liability | Included | | Included for dogs |
Should-Have Features
| Fixed excess | Included | | Fixed £99 for dogs up to 8 years old, cats up to 10 years old |
| No change to excess for older pets | Included |  | Excess for older pets is greater of £99 or 20% of the claim |
| Euthanasia | Included | | Included |
| Holiday cancellation and unwell boarding cover | Included or add on | | Included |
| Prescription Food | Included | | Up to 25% for a maximum of 6 months per condition; treatment of obesity excluded |
| Death due to accident or illness | Included or add on | | Included for dogs up to 8 years old, cats up to 10 years old |
| Lost or stolen cover | Included or add on | | Included |
Could-Have Features
| Vet cover for pre-existing conditions | Cover for pre-existing conditions after a healthy period | | Not covered |
| New policies for older pets | Available | | Policies available up to a dog’s 8th birthday or cat’s 10th birthday |
| Multi-pet discount | Available | | £1 per-pet, per-month discount |
| Cover abroad | Included or add on for £1,500 of cover up to 90 days travelling to PETS countries | | Included |
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How Much Does it Cost?
Sainsbury’s cost is known to be very exorbitant, however, the cost of its pet insurance will vary depending on your pet’s species and age.
You can also compare their prices to other pet insurance companies in the UK before settling in with them.
What Types of Pet Insurance Are Available with Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance?
The decision you take with going with a pet insurance plan does not depict that there isn’t any other you probably would have gone for. So, we’ll look at the various types of plans available with Sainsbury’s pet.
- Lifetime Pet Insurance
- Non-lifetime pet insurance
- Time-limited non-lifetime pet insurance
- Accident-only pet insurance
#1. Lifetime Pet Insurance
This plan is an all-rounder with the surest form of safety that you can think of providing your pets with. Just as the name goes, it remains effective for as long as your pet stays alive.
From the day you buy into this plan, any injury or sickness that comes up will be taken care of. However, this does not include your pet’s current state of health at the time of securing the plan.
This is to ensure a regular subscription on your part and all you need do is make a mental note of renewing this plan annually. Else, you may not get the kind of protection you want for your pet.
#2. Non-lifetime Pet Insurance
This plan entails spending a certain amount of money for every condition your pet has with no time limits. Once, the money is exhausted, there will be no more rewards available.
#3. Time-limited Non-lifetime Pet Insurance
Sainsbury’s pet insurance offers a limited payout plan that is similar to a non-lifetime pet insurance plan but also has a time limit on how long you can vie for the condition.
When the time elapses, you will no longer be eligible to reimburse for the condition.
#4. Accident-Only Pet Insurance
While this is the most basic form of pet protection that you can get, it covers your pets from accidents and wounds. It is cost-effective but when things turn out the other way, you could even spend more than what you originally thought of simply because your pet isn’t insured.
Why Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance?
Isn’t there a particular reason customers keep going back to Sainsbury pet insurance to seek protection for their pets asides from the exceptional value it gives?
Research shows that some of these are why you would choose them over any competitor in the UK.
- Round the clock availability of veterinary aid alongside medical caretakers available for phone conversations or in person.
- There are coverage options to serve you for as long as you live. Currently, there are four levels of coverage ranging from £2,500, £5,000, £7,500, or £10,000 that you can pay annually.
- Sainsbury offers you a £ 1 discount when you seek protection for over one pet each month.
What Timeframe do I have to Submit my Excess and Claims Form?
As a policyholder with Sainsbury’s pet insurance, you have a year after the treatment date to submit all claim forms. If after then, you do not submit, your claim won’t be repaid.
If your pet is younger, you will pay a 99% excess for every new condition the pet develops. And, if you have older pets; 8, 10, or 5 years for some rare species), you will either pay a higher percentage of 99 or 20% of surplus veterinary expenses made.
What are the Benefits of seeking this Pet Insurance?
- You choose from the three levels of cover available; standard, premier, and premier plus.
- There is an option for you to spread the cost of your pet insurance
- Availability of monitoring how far you go using the online case tracking system
- You get coverage for your pets from their 8th week until they are 9 years of age
- Sainsbury’s pet insurance covers all vet bills, on-board and discretionary treatment although terms and conditions apply.
Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance Reviews
#1.
Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance comes highly recommended. I’ve only had the coverage for two years and have already had to file two claims in that time. However, filing a claim on the Pet Portal is really simple. Quickly updated. My claims were resolved in 5 business days.
#2.
I’ve been a 12-year customer of Sainsbury’s pet insurance. It used to be good, albeit a little pricey. They switched underwriters in the last several years, and the service is now atrocious, especially when filing a claim. They only take claims through their website.
#3.
I’ve worked for Sainsbury’s for nine years. Fortunately for me and my son, he was never sick.
He died abruptly at nine years and three months. Because of his age, he could not receive any financial help for cremation or vet care.
He informed them he had left, and they ended the policy in a matter of seconds. Nothing for £1200 a year.
Is Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance Worth it?
Whether a particular investment is worth it has got to be the most common question that needs a proper address in every review article.
So, while one may not foresee the need to use this protection for pets, it is usually unbearable if your pets finally fall ill or sustain injury, and it requires you to pump in some good money, which I’m sure you wouldn’t want to do.
Even if you opt to, you will end up spending a fortune, which is why people choose a lifetime plan to boost their confidence knowing that a great percentage of their pet’s medical care will be covered by Sainsbury’s pet insurance.
So, Sainsbury’s is a good option for pet protection because it offers appealing features, which include; dental injury and sickness coverage.
Final Thoughts
In your quest to obtain pet insurance, it is expedient that you understand what exactly you are getting into. Ask questions, weigh the options available, and ensure that they fit your budget.
Be well aware of how long you should wait before making a claim. If you neglect the entire process of background research, it will shock you that you haven’t secured any protection when an issue arises.
References
- https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/news/latest-news/2019/29102019petinsurance
- https://www.fairinvestment.co.uk/sainsburys-pet-insurance/
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