Policies for pooches…

Nice word that—much more attractive than mutt. Anyway, Margaret in Théoule writes to say that her poodle Jemima is “getting on a bit” and she’d like to take out some health insurance for her. She’s realised that vets here (as everywhere) aren’t cheap.

Can I advise? Well, the news isn’t good. Insurance companies exist to make money. To start with, they don’t usually insure puppies who are prone to “childhood diseases.” You can, though, take out health insurance for your dog after about six to nine months. There are some conditions: the animal must be tattooed and be properly vaccinated and canine “nasties”—pit-bulls and the like—aren’t accepted. Premiums on standard health care policies run at about 250 euros a year with usually a franchise of 20 per cent—that is, the proportion of costs a dog’s owner has to pay and which is excluded from any indemnity. The bad news for Margaret is that companies don’t accept as new entrants dogs like Jemima who are “getting on a bit.” Some have a cut-off point as low as age 7. The lesson here is clear: insure your dog as young as possible and when illness strikes you’ll have help available. And cats? Premiums are usually rather lower, I understand. A couple of insurers offering veterinary cover are France Assurance Promotion and Le Club du Chien et du Chat.

From Reporter 93 - Oct/Nov 2002

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