Get dog insurance for your pet and save money on vet bills

As many dog owners will readily admit, the addition of a puppy or dog to the family is almost the same as an extra human being. Owning a dog is an enormous responsibility - and an expensive one at that.

From the earliest age that you can own a puppy (7-10 weeks) the cost and responsibility will become apparent. Puppies are normally vaccinated at 8 and 12 weeks so a trip to the vet is one of the first things that a dog owner usually does.

The second is normally to purchase dog health insurance - because of the money that it can save any new dog owner. Pet dog insurance protects you financially and gives your dog the very best health and medical care available. A trip to the vet, with overnight stay, can easily reach £1,000 even before further treatment is required. From as little as £4.50 per month, pet dog insurance will protect you against high vet medical bills in the event of an accident or illness to your dog - giving your pet dog the insurance of a speedy recovery as well as reducing your sleepless nights.

Many dog health and medical insurance providers will pay your veterinary practitioner direct so you don't even have to worry about settling bills in advance or even liaising with your vet on the financial aspect of the treatment. Your dog insurance policy will ensure that money is not an issue and you can give your pet the high levels of healthcare and treatment that you would expect for yourself.

As well as providing cover for accident and illness, dog insurance can include the following additional benefits:

• payments if your pet dog becomes lost or strays to help you advertise to search for your dog
• compensation in the event that you have to cancel a holiday because your dog becomes ill or has an accident
• kennel fees if you become too ill to look after your dog in the short term.
• liability and accidental damage insurance of up to £1 million in many cases. This can be very useful if you have a large or playful dog which can cause damage to property eg fences, cars in certain situations.

Use our no obligation dog insurance search to choose the best insurer for your needs and compare and contrast prices and dog health insurance policies. Don't forget, many dog insurance providers now provide cover if your dog is older, say over 10 or 11 years' old. So try our quote engine and get insurance for your older dog. Similarly, you can cover your pet dog from a very young age. Check out information on puppy insurance.

For specialist pet insurance rather than dog insurance from a range of top UK pet insurance providers check out our pet insurance website.

Alternatively, click on the links below to access our range of top UK dog insurance providers directly.

Dog insurance from Direct Line - 25% online discount

Churchill Dog Insurance - 10% online discount and from just £8.50 per month- click here

12 months for the price of 10 and lifetime protection online with Petplan.

M&S Dog Insurance - 5% Discount online

E&L Dog Insurance - online specialists

Argos Dog Insurance from just £4.27 per month

Liverpool Victoria Dog Insurance - 10% discount online. No restriction on older dogs - click here

To get a horse insurance quote click here.