Assistance Dogs are classified as ‘working dogs’, therefore the insurance that is required is a ‘Working Dogs Insurance’. Pet Insurances that are currently being sold on the ‘high-street’ or online are not suitable for our dogs and do not provide the adequate cover we as a charity require.
They are only a few companies within the United Kingdom that provide ‘Working Dog Insurance’. The welfare of our Assistance Dogs is paramount and we as a charity ensure that they will have the best insurance cover. Therefore this type of insurance is more expensive than a normal Pet Insurance . Apart from offering excellent cover for medical conditions , this insurance also includes Public Liability Insurance for the Assistance Dog which allows our Assistance Dogs to access public places unlike a family pet.
Working Dog Insurance usually starts at around £360.73 for a puppy and the insurance premium usually increases every year as the Assistance Dog is getting older.
When the charity purchases the insurance cover , we are normally purchasing multiple insurance policies and are able to negotiate a reduction in price. Furthermore, when it comes to claiming on the insurance , we have found that our insurance companies easy to work with. As with all insurance policies , there will be an excess amount to pay when making a claim. The excess starts at £170.00 however it does depend on the age of the Assistance Dog at the time of the claim. Once your allocated Assistance Dog passes their Public Access Certification Test you will be responsible for paying the ‘Working Dog Insurance’ and excess on insurance policy should you have to make a claim on the insurance for your allocated Assistance Dog.
As a charity we do not have a problem with families taking our qualified Assistance Dogs to the vet, however the charity will not be responsible for these vet bills. Some veterinary practices will only treat the Assistance Dog if the vet bill is paid in full there and then. If this is the case, you need to contact the CEO of ADNI who will send a signed insurance claim form to that veterinary practice. Remember there will be an excess to pay which starts at £170 and may be more depending on the age of the Assistance Dog.
Assistance Dogs like ourselves can pick up a 24 hour bug, we offer you the opportunity to contact us 24/7 to discuss your concerns as there may be simple steps that can be taken in the first instance without the need of a trip to the vets. ADNI will provide you with some basic Dog First Aid Information.
At present the two insurance companies that ADNI use provide free 24/7 veterinary consultations as part of their allocated Assistance Dogs working dog insurance premium.
