Rabbit Insurance - What to Look For

Our rabbits like any other pet will require some vet visits throughout its life and we should want to make sure they get the best veterinary help; however, medical costs can be high – hundreds or even thousands of pounds. That’s why pet insurance is a good idea; it means that you know that apart from the excess on a policy the remainder of the bill (usually up to a maximum £3,000 per policy year) is covered. Just make sure you know what is included or excluded from cover.

There are two types of health 'plan / policy' that you can purchase for your rabbit.

Here’s a brief description of the difference between a Pet Health Plan from your veterinary clinic and Pet Insurance.

A Pet Health Plan will usually cost around £15 a month for a rabbit and may cover the following:

FREE unlimited vet consults
FREE vet 24/7 via the Vet Video app
Annual VHD and Myxomatosis vaccinations and Health Check
Microchip identification
Unlimited nail trims
A per centage discount on products, medication and treatments; usually around 10%
Some may also include a couple of teeth burr treatments

A Rabbit Insurance Policy will cost anything from £10- £25 a month depending on age and known health issues and there will be a compulsory excess to pay of around £50 per claim; there is no excess charge for subsequent claims for ongoing treatment.

Most policies are capped at £3,000 per year. It is important to purchase Lifetime Cover for your rabbit as this will enable you to claim for any chronic condition treatment that is required AFTER taking out the initial insurance cover.

Different companies may cover more than others but generally they will cover the following:

Accidental injury
Illness requiring treatment
Complementary treatment
Physiotherapy
Costs incurred to find your rabbit if it is lost
Hospitalisation boarding fees
Pet Video Call - unlimited 24/7 access to a vet team
Pet Portal – ability to manage your pet policy online
Multi-pet discount

Many will NOT cover dental conditions unless it is an accidental injury to the mouth / jaw of the rabbit; nor do they cover Fly Strike (don’t forget even house rabbits can fall victim to Fly Strike!)

Below is an example list of things that ARE covered and NOT covered so be sure to read these sections of a policy carefully before purchasing your insurance cover.

✔ What is insured? (This is an example and NOT an accurate list of cover by every rabbit insurer)

✔ Veterinary Fees up to £2,500

Cover is provided for veterinary treatment your rabbit receives for an illness or injury.

✔ Advertising and Reward up to £250

(includes up to £50 for a reward)

Advertising costs to recover your rabbit if it is lost or stolen, including the cost of a reward.

✔ Travel and Accommodation up to £300

The cost of travel and accommodation expenses if your usual vet refers your rabbit to another vet.

✔ Death from Illness or injury up to £100

The purchase price of your rabbit if it dies or has to be put to sleep by a vet as a result of an illness or injury.

✔ Boarding Fees or Daily Minding up to £250

The cost to board your rabbit at a licensed rabbit hotel or for someone to look after your rabbit, if you or a member of your immediate family have to go into hospital for three or more consecutive days, and up to 14 days after discharge if you are still unable to care for your rabbit

What is not insured?

✗ Any rabbit under the age of 8 weeks at the start of your policy.

✗ Preventative veterinary treatment.

✗ Veterinary treatment you choose to have carried out that does not treat an illness or injury e.g. neutering.

✗ Illnesses that rabbits are usually vaccinated against if your rabbit has not been vaccinated.

✗ Anything that occurs outside of the UK.

✗ Pre-existing conditions: Illnesses and injuries that first showed signs before your policy started.

✗ Illnesses and injuries that happened before your policy started which are the same as illnesses and injuries your rabbit has during your policy. These include disorders that your rabbit can have in different ears, eyes, front legs and feet, back legs and feet, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and cruciate ligaments.

✗ War, terrorism, revolution and similar events, nuclear and radioactive contamination.

Are there any restrictions on cover?

! Costs for and resulting from an illness in the first 10 days of your policy (this applies only when you first purchase your policy and does not apply if you renew your policy with us.)

! Complementary treatment to a maximum of £750.

• Cover to a maximum of £200 for treatment for behavioural disorders.

• 50% of the cost of a clinical diet to a maximum of £200.

! Cover for dental or gum illness if your rabbit has not had a dental health check in the 15 months prior to the illness being noted and had any veterinary treatment recommended by the vet carried out within 12 months of the recommendation.

! The maximum age for death from an illness as shown on your Schedule of Insurance.

Check that the Pet Insurance company is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.