Many dog owners think about whether or not to purchase pet insurance to cover medical bills but they often fail to think about insurance to cover any potential injury caused by the dog biting someone or running in front of a car and causing an accident. Of course as pet owners, we don’t like to think that our dog, the dog who has always had a good temperament and loves children, would ever bite someone but its important to remember that dogs are animals and if human beings can just flip, then imagine what a dog can do.
Which Policy to Choose?
Many medical pet insurance policies include public liability but not of all them do and of course some people decide not to take out medical insurance, which is an option. In that case, how can you get insurance cover for Public Liability? There are specialist companies out there that will offer this for you. The one I would personally recommend is the Dogs Trust. The policy is cost effective and revenues are re-invested in looking after dogs. The £25 a year (only £12.50 if you are over 60) membership cost gives you the following benefits:
- 3rd party public liability insurance for your dog – up to £1,000,000 per claim if your dog causes damage or injury to another person, their property or pets (an excess of £200 applies for the UK)
- Unlimited access to VetfoneTM – a 24 hour emergency advice service from veterinary professionals.
- Peace of mind with their free Canine Care Card. The guarantee that Dogs Trust will take care of your dog should you pass away.
- Wag! Magazine three times a year – packed full of doggy news, stories and tips.
Of course you may prefer one with a lower excess but for the likelihood of having to claim, you might well find that the higher excess is far outweighed by the annual cost, and the additional benefits being a member of the Dogs Trust gives you.