Losing a pet is a tough and painful time, not to mention the associated costs.
Pet farewell cover is there to help you during this stressful time. But how does it work, and do you already have it on your pet insurance policy?
What is pet farewell cover?
Pet farewell cover (also known as death of pet cover or pet loss cover) can be part of a pet insurance policy.
This type of cover gives you financial support for when your pet dies from an illness or accident.
It can cover you for things like when your pet has to be put to sleep (euthanasia), buried or cremated.
Pet farewell cover can differ from insurer to insurer and has different limits and exclusions. For example, most pet insurers won’t offer farewell cover if your pet dies of a pre-existing condition that you didn’t declare when you took out your policy.
Most pet farewell cover also has a financial limit, meaning you can’t claim for more than that figure for pet farewell costs. You can check what your financial limit is in your policy book.
There are also time limits to claiming on Admiral's farewell cover:
- For illness, you’ll need to wait 14 days after your policy starts before you can claim
- For accidents, you'll need to wait 24 hours after your policy starts before you can claim
Which insurance options include farewell cover?
At Admiral, we have two types of pet cover: Time-limited or Lifetime cover. Both of these offer farewell cover as standard.
Lifetime cover
Lifetime pet insurance is designed to cover your pet for the long term. It’s a comprehensive form of insurance that offers pet farewell cover as standard.
Not all Lifetime pet insurance with other insurers include farewell cover, so it’s best to check your policy.
Time-limited cover
Time-limited pet insurance is designed to only cover your pet for a set period – usually 12 months. This type of cover doesn’t cover as much as a Lifetime policy.
Sometimes insurers include farewell cover for your pet, though the claim limit is usually lower than it would be on a Lifetime policy.
What if my pet dies naturally?
Pets often die naturally due to old age. So, pet farewell cover doesn’t usually provide financial support if your pet dies naturally.
[H3] Does it cover pet funerals?
While pet farewell cover does cover the costs of burying or cremating your pet, any funeral costs beyond that usually aren’t.
For instance, if you want to hold a funeral ceremony for your pet, you won’t be covered for any extra costs like renting a venue.
Do I have pet farewell cover on my policy?
The easiest way to find out if you have pet farewell cover on your pet insurance is to check your policy book.
If you’re still unsure, you can contact your insurer to talk to someone about what’s included in your policy. If pet farewell cover isn’t included, you might be able to add it to your policy as an optional extra.
How do I cancel my insurance after my pet passes away?
If your pet has passed away and you don’t want to claim on pet farewell cover, you still need to tell your insurer about what’s happened. Once they know that your pet has passed, they can cancel your policy for you.
What should I do if my pet is nearing the end of life?
It can be a frightening and stressful time if your vet has told you that your pet will pass away soon.
It’s always best to follow your vet’s advice on how to make your pet as comfortable as possible. Keep giving them any prescribed medication to ease their pain or discomfort.
On top of this, you can also try spending as much quality time with your pet as possible without overwhelming or stressing them. If your pet seems agitated or upset, give them a little space and talk to your vet.
Dealing with the death of a pet
Losing your pet can be like losing a family member or a best friend. Whether their passing is expected or unexpected, it can be hard to get through.
If your pet has recently passed away and you’re struggling to cope, here are a few things you can do to ease the pain and weight of the loss. The Blue Cross also has a great resource on dealing with pet loss if you’re looking for more support.
- Plan a sentimental send off for your pet with your loved ones for proper closure.
- Tell your friends or family how you’re feeling and talk things through.
- Spend time with your friends’ or family’s pets to deal with the lack of pet contact at home.
- When you’re ready, get a memento of your pet (a framed photo, drawing, etc.) so you have a happy reminder of them.
