Pet owners face dog dentist bills of up to £1,000 as many insurers don’t pay out
Doggy dentistry disasters: pet owners caught with bills of up to £1,000 as many insurers fail to pay for troublesome teeth
- Dog dental bills can be extremely expensive with some breeds at particular risk
- Many pet insurers have a vague view of dental and gum problems in dogs
- Some insurers do not pay out at all, or limit how much can be claimed
Many pet owners are left with huge bills for canine dental problems because many insurers refuse to cover dental and gum problems.
Dental problems in dogs can lead to expensive vet bills for owners, especially since several dog breeds are prone to bad teeth.
Bills for problems such as dental abscesses can easily exceed £950 each time, according to Co-op Insurance.
More than two-fifths of dog owners told the Co-op that dental problems were a top 10 reason for taking their pet to the vet.
Every dog has its claim: Labradors are very prone to bad teeth, causing expensive insurance claims
Dental disease, gingivitis and abscesses are the most common oral problems claimed by pet insurance customers.
About one-fifth (19 percent) of dog owners have postponed vet visits because of the rising cost of living.
But not all insurers will pay out for dog dental issues, and many insurers will place a cap on the amount that can be recovered, according to financial data firm Defaqto.
For example, 51 percent of all dog insurance policies do not pay out for dental or gum disease.
This means that many dog owners have to pay the cost of dental treatment for their beloved pet on top of the premiums they already pay.
| Coverage level | Accidental damage to teeth | Tooth and gum disease |
|---|---|---|
| No coverage | 3% | 51% |
| Less than € 1.00 | 7% | 4% |
| £1,000 to £1,999 | 12% | 9% |
| £2,000 to £2,999 | 20% | 9% |
| £3,000 to £3,999 | 13% | 6% |
| £4,000 to £4,999 | 14% | 5% |
| £5,000 and above | 31% | 16% |
| Source: Defaqto | ||
Angela Pilley, from Defaqto, said: “In terms of restrictions, the most common are related to dental treatment due to illness, with caregivers typically stipulating that the dog must have had a dental checkup within the last 12 months.
“Other common treatments that are excluded are descaling, polishing and cleaning.”
Andrew Nevitt, head of Co-op Pet Insurance, said: ‘We know that owning a pet brings great joy to many, but we should not underestimate the responsibility that comes with caring for them.
“Insurance can provide a safety net for pet owners, but it’s important to understand your policy and what it does and doesn’t cover.”
The top 10 dog breeds for dental claims are:
- Bastards
- Cocker spaniels
- labradors
- Springer Spaniels
- Jack Russell terriers
- Border Terriers
- Border Collies
- Pugs
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- retrievers
‘We were charged £638 when our pet insurer refused to pay’
Daisy’s tooth removal surgery ended up costing her owner over £600
When cocker spaniel Daisy’s mouth swelled up, her owner, Geri Barrington, rushed her to the vet.
Daisy, 15, had an abscess from an infected tooth and had to have six of them removed – costing £638.
But Daisy’s pet insurance policy didn’t cover dental issues at all, leaving Geri to foot the bill.
“At the time, being with pet insurance since Daisy was a puppy, we expected to be covered, so it was a complete blow when we found out that wasn’t the case and nothing could be done for us ,’ Geri said.
“It had never occurred to us that dental issues might not be covered by our insurance, and we were heartbroken that we had to think about the cost in addition to the health of our beloved dog.
“My advice to anyone with pet insurance is to always check what’s covered.”