Dog Insurance In Portugal
What Is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is the health insurance for your pet that covers medical expenses and sometimes other expenses. Pet insurance plans are usually copayment-based, which means you pay upfront for pet veterinary bills and submit a claim to the insurance company. Several companies can pay the vet directly, which helps keep out-of-pocket payments low.
There is usually a deductible before coverage begins. For example, you can pay the first $500 in vet bills before pet insurance kicks in.
Even after your deductible is paid, pet insurance may not pay 100% of vet bills. You can usually choose the payment amount. Common payment options are between 70%, 80%, or 90% of your total vet bills.
Choosing The Right Health Insurance For Your Pet In Portugal
Pet insurance, or vet insurance, is insurance designed to protect the health of your pet, dog, or cat. The insurance covers veterinary costs and liability for damage the animal may cause to others. It usually includes veterinary costs for the protection, prevention, and health of your pet, but also a savings system for various expenses such as food, dog training, or shopping at various partners and shops that belong to the network of insurance companies.
Pet insurance in Portugal can guarantee the following benefits: Liability, consultation, surgery and sterilization, preventive medicine (examination), vaccinations, online vet, pet assistance, burial, and legal protection.
Pet insurance includes a number of benefits to ensure pets have access to all the services and support they need for the rest of their lives while their owners save money on a variety of products and services.
These are some of the insurances included in pet insurance in Portugal. All coverage is provided either on a reimbursement basis with specific annual limits or through a shared network of veterinarians:
- Medical coverage and veterinary services
- Veterinary consultation
- Examination and treatment
- Medicines
- Surgery and sterilization
- Preventive medical examinations
- Assistance services for your pet
- Veterinarian and medicine at home
- Emergency transport
- Organization of funeral services
- Veterinary online
- Access to the veterinary hotline
Clarification of any doubts, even if they are not within the scope of veterinary advice.
Discounts on additional services and food
Discounts for customers on wellness services and food in stores and centers of the partner network of insurers.
At C1 Broker, as an insurance broker for ex-pats, we research and compare the different pet insurance policies available in Portugal to help you choose the right one for you.
We are familiar with the different types of insurance available, their pros and cons, and the limitations and benefits of this type of insurance, so we can provide you with neutral and professional advice.
What Exactly Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Here are some main forms of exclusions typically found in a pet insurance policy:
Food and dog fees; Most plans won’t cover board and kennel costs, but some insurance companies will cover these costs if you’re hospitalized. For example, Trupanion’s Pet Owner Assistance Package covers these expenses.
Breeding costs; Breeding costs are not covered.
Examination fees; Some insurance companies will not cover your vet exam fees, even if it is related to an injury or illness. And even though most insurers won’t cover your pet’s annual wellness exam unless you purchase a wellness plan. Some insurance companies tend to exclude exam fees from coverage, even if the fee is for a visit related to an injury or illness. The exam fee is what vets charge for examining your pet.
Expenses not related to veterinary care; Costs that include taxes or administrative fees charged by your vet are usually not covered by insurance.
Food and supplements; Your pet’s everyday food and supplements, such as vitamins, are not covered by pet insurance, but some plans cover prescription pet food. Regular food is not covered, but some of the plans do cover pet prescription food.
Fur care; Expenses such as grooming, nail trimming, and shampooing are not included in an insurance plan. When you go ahead and take your pet to the spa for a little pampering, pet insurance does not cover grooming or shampooing.
Lost or stolen pets; Most insurance plans won’t cover lost or stolen pets, but some insurers will pay advertising costs and rewards as optional covers, such as the Extra Care Pack from Figo pet insurance.
Pre-existing conditions; Injuries and illnesses that occur before your pet insurance starts are not covered. However, some insurers extend cover to ‘treatable’ pre-existing pet conditions such as an ear infections. For example, ASPCA pet insurance will cover treatable conditions if your pet is symptom-free and treatment-free for 180 days. Conditions that recur after 180 days are considered a new problem and are covered.
Preventive and elective procedures; Pet insurance does not cover procedures such as declawing, ear docking, and tail docking.
Vaccines; A standard pet insurance plan usually does not cover a lot of the vaccines and booster shots. But you can normally add a wellness plan to your pet insurance policy if you want vaccine coverage.
Your policy may also require you to maintain the level of care recommended by your veterinarian. For eg, if your vet recommends a dental cleaning because of your pet’s dental problems and you don’t do it, the subsequent dental expenses of the vet may not be covered.
Pre-existing conditions; When an animal is diagnosed or shows signs of illness or injury before coverage begins, pet insurance generally won’t cover it. However, some pet insurers extend coverage to what they consider “treatable” pre-existing conditions in pets. For example, Embrace Pet Insurance will reinstate coverage for a treatable pre-existing condition if medical records show no evidence of the condition for at least 12 months.
Preventive or elective procedures; The plans will not cover preventative or elective procedures such as nail clipping, ear docking, declawing, or tail docking.
“It’s also very important to point out that some policies exclude coverage if the pet owner does not follow the level of care recommended by a veterinarian,” says Beth Wymer, spokesperson for Pumpkin Pet Insurance. “Let’s say your vet recommends a dental cleaning because of a dental problem, and you decide not to follow the recommendation. In this case, with some pet insurance companies, your cover will no longer cover any expenses related to the illness.”
How To Find The Best Pet Insurance
Pet insurance can be hard to compare in an apples-to-apples fashion. Coverage, exclusions, and price variations make it difficult to go calculate the potential value of each different plan.
Choose The Best Type Of Pet Insurance Plan
Do you want pet insurance that goes the extra mile every time, or do you want to cut costs with an accident only plan that won’t cover anything for pet illnesses? Or something that is in between?
Comprehensive pet insurance plans that insure and cover a wide range of health and wellness issues are usually the most expensive but may be worth considering if you want full coverage.
Pet insurance can generally be divided into these types of plans:
Comprehensive coverage; Sometimes called a nose-to-tail policy, it usually provides coverage for accidents and injuries, including serious or chronic illnesses, hereditary conditions, diagnostic tests, surgeries, treatments, and health care such as routine vet checkups and vaccinations.
Accident and illness insurance; This type of insurance policy typically covers vet bills for accidents (such as an ACL tear) and illnesses, including common illnesses, hereditary conditions, and serious illnesses (such as cancer). You won’t be covered for wellness exams like routine vet visits, flea and heartworm prevention, or vaccinations, but you can often add a wellness plan to get comprehensive coverage.
Accident coverage only; This type of policy only covers vet bills if your pet is injured in an accident, and you will not be covered for medical bills related to the illness.
Wellness cover for pets. This type of plan covers medical expenses related to wellness, such as routine veterinary exams, flea and heartworm prevention, and vaccinations. You can often add wellness benefits to your accident and illness plan.
Find The Level Of Coverage That’s Right For You
When you buy pet insurance, you typically choose an annual maximum, deductible, and coverage level.
Annual maximum cover: You will usually have a choice of an annual maximum payout level. This is the cap on how much pet insurance will pay in a year. Many pet insurance plans offer a choice between $5,000 and an unlimited payout. Opting for an unlimited payout will increase the premium price, but you won’t have to worry about going over the annual maximum if your pet ever needs to have a very expensive treatment.
Reimbursement Percentage: You choose the reimbursement level when you purchase your plan, and the lower the reimbursement level, the less you pay in pet insurance premiums. The most common repayment options are 70%, 80%, or 90%.
Check pet insurance waiting periods.
The basic waiting period is the time between the date of purchase of the policy and the start of coverage. Every pet insurance company has waiting periods. Make sure you find one that specifically suits you. For e.g., there are many companies that have a waiting period of only two days for accident coverage. Other plans, such as Pet Health Insurance, have 14 days.
Also, be aware of special waiting periods for certain conditions, such as cruciate ligament problems. For e.g., there are some companies that have a six-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions for dogs, but the insurance plan has no waiting period for orthopedic conditions or other specific issues.
Discounts On Pet Insurance
Discounts on pet insurance are a good way to save. Here are some common discounts:
Discount for multiple animals. Many different insurers offer a discount if you insure more than one pet.
Spay/Neuter Discount; Some insurance companies offer discounts to pet owners who have their pets spayed or neutered.
Annual salary discount; You can often reduce costs by paying the annual premium in one lump sum.
Military discount; Some insurance companies offer discounts for members of the military and veterans.
Group discount at work; Some employers offer pet insurance as an optional benefit, which can net you a 5% to 10% discount.
Package discount; You can get up to 10% off when you bundle your Lemonade pet insurance with your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance.
Other Pet Insurance Comparison Factors
Here are 2 more things to consider when shopping for a pet insurance plan:
Examination Fees
When you take your pet to the vet for an accident or illness, you pay an exam fee that costs $100 or more, depending on your vet and the type of visit. Make sure that the policy covers these exam fees, as not all do.
Advantages
Check out other benefits, like a 24-hour vet helpline in case your pet gets sick at night. Another example is Nationwide Pet Insurance members have different access to choose pricing on pet prescriptions at any pharmacy.
How Does Pet Health Insurance Work?
If you already have a pet insurance plan, you’ll generally have a deductible to pay for vet bills before coverage begins. You will then still pay your vet directly and then submit your bills to your pet insurer for reimbursement. Most insurance companies will send you reimbursement until it pays the maximum your plan allows for a year, such as $5,000. Some plans offer unlimited maximum payouts.
Check the plan documentation for any restrictions on what is included, such as:
Exclusions
Your policy will contain a list of exclusions. Common exclusions include care, breeding costs, certain pre-existing conditions, and expenses unrelated to veterinary care (such as taxes or your vet’s administrative fees).
Waiting Periods
All pet insurance plans have waiting periods. Your coverage won’t start until the waiting period is over. For example, your policy may have a 14-day waiting period before it will cover veterinary expenses related to an accident.
Veterinary Restrictions
In general, pet insurance does not have network restrictions, and most insurers will cover any licensed veterinarian.
Check if your policy has any geographical restrictions or if your coverage is extended to other regions. For example, we analyzed Trupanion pet insurance that covers licensed veterinarians in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Puerto Rico, and any other region under the control of the Australian, Canadian, or U.S. government (such as a military base in a foreign country).
The Average Cost Of Pet Insurance
More than one-third (37%) of dog owners have not considered pet insurance because they think it would be too expensive, according to a Forbes Advisor survey. Yet 89% of dog owners estimate that pet insurance costs are higher than they actually are. And 76% of dog owners in Portugal overestimate the cost of pet insurance by at least three times the average price, our survey found.
Here’s a look at the actual average
How Is The Cost Of Pet Insurance Determined?
The type of pet is only one factor in the cost of pet insurance. For example, cat insurance is generally cheaper than dog insurance, and bird, ferret, rabbit, and reptile insurance is cheaper than cat insurance.
Here are some common factors that determine the cost of pet insurance:
Pet breed; Some breeds are prone to disease and hereditary problems, which often means more visits to the vet and higher medical costs.
Age of the pet; Older pets tend to be more expensive to insure than younger pets. We found that the best prices were after the pet’s first birthday and up to around six years of age. As the animal ages, your pet insurance premiums may increase when you renew your policy.
Gender pet; Insurers have found that males tend to have a higher number of claims than females, so some use gender when pricing. According to the Insurance Commissioners in Portugal, pets cost 5% less for pet insurance than men.
Your position; Vet costs may vary by location, so pet insurance costs take this into account.
Annual maximum, deductible, and reimbursement level. These are the three different main variables that determine the amount of reimbursement when you are eligible. You’ll pay more if you choose a high annual maximum but a low deductible with a high reimbursement level. For e.g., a plan with unlimited annual coverage, low deductibles, and a 90% reimbursement level would be the most expensive every month because it has the potential to pay out so much more.
The best way to find an insurance policy within your budget is to compare pet insurance quotes from several different insurers.
You Can Find Free Pet Insurance Quotes
Online: Many different pet insurance companies offer free quotes online. You will usually answer a few basic questions about your pet. You can also go ahead and use a pet insurance comparison website to look at several options at once.
Phone, email, or in person: If you prefer to contact someone directly, you can contact an insurance company representative or an independent insurance agent.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
Vet bills for different illnesses and injuries can be quite expensive. Pet insurance can tend to be an effective way to help offset some of these costs. What you pay in premiums can be much less than what you would pay out-of-pocket for your pet’s treatment if you don’t have pet insurance.
Some pet owners prefer to not consider pet insurance and put money away in a savings account for pet medical needs. But if you can’t really afford an out of the blue vet bill that could cost thousands of dollars, pet insurance can be a good way to protect yourself from running up a credit card bill.
Benefits Of Insurance For Cats And Dogs
We estimate that less than 10% of cats and dogs are insured in Spain and Portugal, which is surprising given the relatively low cost of pet insurance compared to the cost of medical treatment. Most owners consider their pets to be members of the family, and when an emergency arises, they will spend whatever is necessary at the vet. Bills to prevent their four-legged friends from suffering. Every third pet needs veterinary treatment every year.
Pet insurance will give you peace of mind knowing that if something happens to your cat or dog, you won’t have to worry about finding the funds for their treatment and recovery. We can cover your cat or dog from 8 weeks of age.
In addition to medical expenses, the Ibex policy also covers expenses related to accidental death, loss by theft or straying, catering charges, and more.
The capital sums of the insurance are for the insured animal.
Pet Insurance Offer In Portugal
INOV Expat
INOV EXPAT, an insurance broker, specializing in foreigners for 14 years, recommends Fidelidade insurance, the market leader in Portugal. Unlike insurance policies offered by other Portuguese companies, this one gives you the option to choose which clinic you want to go to. If you already know a vet you trust, you can keep going to the same one, reducing the cost of your expenses.
Pet insurance has no secrets for INOV Expat to guide you in finding the policies that best cover your beloved pet. They are an insurance broker that has been working with the best insurance companies on the market since they were founded in 2004 to offer you “tailor-made” pet insurance at the best price. They answer all your questions as well as handle any claims necessary throughout the life of your pet policy and act as your privileged liaison to defend your rights against insurance companies. Their pet insurance specialists will answer your questions for free in English. Complete the following form to receive a Portugal pet insurance quote tailored to your needs within 2 hours (during office hours):
Prepaying for pet insurance allows you to reduce your veterinary costs. These contracts always include hospitalization, veterinary consultations, and medical examinations.
You can also add if you want to cover the vaccines, you need to refurbish them.
Other covers are also included, such as video consultations or funeral costs (optional) in the event of your pet’s death.
For less than €15-20/month (costs may vary depending on: the breed, sex, and age of the animal), you can protect your dog/cat in the best possible way.
Kley’s
If you are looking for pet care insurance solutions in Portugal, you can rely on Kley’s advice to protect your four-legged best friends.
In addition to bringing us moments of joy, animals are also promoters of a healthier home at all levels. In Portugal, it is estimated that 56% of households have a pet, not only because they are great companions but also because they relieve unnecessary stress and bond the family even more while still helping to give the younger members of the family a real sense of responsibility.
But what if your dog bites your neighbor, scratches your car door, or causes harm to someone else during play? In the insurance market these days, it is possible to find a solution to protect your best friend from these situations and also guarantee that your pet will have medical help if needed.
Access to the wide range of clinics they can provide is available 24 hours a day, all year round, in hotels, training schools, wounds, and more;
Suppose you are going on holiday and cannot take your pet with you. Finding a trusted place for your day is essential. Many insurance policies include trusted hotels.
If your pet goes missing unexpectedly, there are insurance policies that include locating services;
When taking out these insurances, you can also take advantage of other discounts: discounts in veterinary clinics where partnerships are celebrated, exclusive prices with several food brands on the market, or even access to a network of training schools.
Protectapet
Protectapet’s ‘Diamond Plan’ is by far the most comprehensive pet care plan in Europe. They were the first to offer any kind of pet insurance in Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, and Greece for ex-pats. These health plans from Protectapet offer one of the fastest online claims services in the industry and have established themselves as very professional in the field. Others followed, but none were able to offer anything like low fixed premium coverage for life, with easy monthly payment terms if required.
With most pet owners in Europe traveling the rest of Europe and taking their pets with them, it’s no surprise that Protectapet offers another addition to this comprehensive pet care plan to cover your pets in Europe. This European cover will provide your pet with any emergency treatment anywhere in Europe, and you can use any vet of your choice. It will come as no surprise to you that Protectapet is the only pet health care provider in Europe that will cover ANY age or breed of dog or cat, including dangerous dogs and those listed as dangerous dogs in Portugal, FREE OF CHARGE!!
Your pet doesn’t choose the vet they want to use; you do. Protectapet allows you to use any vet in Portugal that you think is suitable to care for your pet, be it a dog, cat, horse, pony, or donkey. Protectapet wants you to be free to decide which vet to use in Portugal so that you feel your pet is receiving the best possible treatment.
Protectapet is not online on any pet comparison websites for the simple reason that comparison websites are set up by pet insurance companies that offer themselves the best product or pet insurance but not necessarily the best price or terms. Check some of them out online, and you’ll be surprised by what you find. Expensive premiums offer very little, no fixed premiums for life, they don’t cover all breeds, and what happens when your pet is over eight years old, and they no longer insure it? That’s why protectapet is the best at what they do.