Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 18th November 2015
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Pet insurers have 'mixed views' on breed health risks
Jack Russell
Some pet insurers quoted three, four or even five times more to insure particular breeds.
Survey reveals wide variation in insurance premiums

Pet insurance companies often have very different views on the potential health risks for each dog breed, according to a new survey by the Pet Insurance Guide.

Quotes were obtained from 16 leading pet insurance companies in September of this year. The survey explored the cost of insuring the 50 most popular pedigrees and mixed breeds.

The findings reveal mixed opinions on the health risks posed by each breed.

Some companies had a fairly flat pricing structure with a price difference of just a few pounds between premiums for each breed. Others companies, however, can charge three, four or even five times as much for some breeds as others.

One company quoted similar premiums for border collies and Jack Russell terriers, yet another wanted twice as much to insure a border collie, compared to a Jack Russell.

Overall, the survey found Jack Russells are the least expensive dog breed to insure, while dogue de bordeaux were the most expensive.

While it is often cheaper to insure crossbreed dogs, the survey shows that this is not always the case. For example, the average cost to insure a Jack Russell was less than that to insure a small mixed breed dog. And the average premium for a large mixed breed dog was about the same as the premium for a Labrador retriever.

Founder of the Pet Insurance Guide, Sally Hayward, warned that pet owners may end up paying far more than expected if they do not do their research.

“The survey results show that pet insurance companies also have different views of the risk posed by each breed of dog and adjust their premiums accordingly," she explained.

“This may mean that if pet owners do not take the time to research this complex market thoroughly before making their choice, they may not only find themselves without the vital cover they really need,  but may also potentially be paying hundreds of pounds more each year than they need to."

For the full survey findings, visit: http://www.pet-insurance-guide.co.uk/blog/pet-insurance-dog-breeds-premium-survey/

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.