Pet insurance

Dogs, cats, and other domestic animals are another member of the family for many owners — a living being to take care of in return for affection, loyalty and companionship. For this reason, many households decide to take out an insurance policy for domestic animals that guarantees the care of their best friend while also covering any liabilities arising from their behavior. In this sense, pet insurance considers the needs of both the animal and the family with which it lives while, at the same time, covering possible contingencies or unavoidable dangerous situations that the family was unaware of.

However domesticated an animal may be, there is always a certain risk that it may cause harm to other people, whether personal injury arising from the aggressive behavior on the part of the animal or in the form of damage to the property of others. For this reason, many pet owners choose to take out a public liability insurance policy that covers any expenses that may arise from this type of behavior. There are compulsory insurance policies for what the law considers "potentially dangerous animals," which are subject to municipal and regional regulations, as they are considered to be a danger to the community. Although the legislation varies from one autonomous community to another, there are eight breeds of dogs that are considered potentially dangerous throughout the country: Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Argentinian Mastiff, Brazilian Mastiff, Tosa Inu and Akita Inu. Cats and other common pets are not included in this category, so it is not compulsory to take out a public liability insurance for these animals. As for exotic pets, be aware that they are subject to specific legislation regulating their possession and care.

One of the reasons why many of the pet households decide to take out insurance is to cover expenses arising from potential animal diseases. These insurance policies may include veterinary visits, tests, surgical interventions, and post-operative expenses, but they do not usually include vaccinations or preventive care. What is common in many similar insurance policies is the option of contacting a veterinary adviser 24 hours a day to consult the animal's health and care.

In addition to veterinary expenses or those arising from public liability, many policies also cover other possible incidents related to pets, such as theft, loss, dental care or sacrifice and incineration of the animal. In addition, the most comprehensive insurance plans offer transport or daycare services and may even cover the animal's accommodation expenses in a specialized residence in the event that its owner is ill or hospitalized and cannot take care of it. To take out a veterinary insurance policy, the animal must be in good health and must have received all official vaccination recommendations. If the pet has a pre-existing condition prior to taking out the insurance, is of an advanced age, or if its illness or accident is caused by the neglect of its owner, the insurance company will not cover the expenses arising from its healthcare.

To calculate the premium and the conditions of an insurance policy for domestic animals, insurance companies take into account factors such as age, breed, and value of the animal or its pedigree. Insurance policies also take into account the type of animal in question and differentiate between common and exotic animals. Finally, there are also companies that take the animal's weight into consideration when calculating the premium. It should be noted that pet insurance is designed primarily for dogs and cats; exotic animals, horses, and other species that are not considered companions are not covered by this type of insurance and belong to a different category.

In short, pet insurance covers many of the unforeseen expenses related to pet behavior and care and gives owners the guarantee that their favorite companions will always be well looked after. Go to bbva.es to consult the information on the different pet insurance options we offer and protect your pet like you would any other family member.