Insurance for Guinea Pigs?

aimeemum

Do you need insurance for guinea pigs? My husband grew up with guinea pigs and he's certain that they would never have been insured. I know Rabbits need insurance, vaccinations etc but it appears that you don't necessarily NEED it for them, but should you have it? I've priced up one policy online and it says it's going to cost £25 a month to insure the 2 piggies we've just acquired. Would I be as well putting that money into a sinking fund as a just in case measure for annual check ups and such instead?

We've never had guinea pigs before, only hamsters, so all advice welcome.

unforeseen

You don't NEED insurance for any small animal providing you accept that you could end up with a large bill from the vets.

We have had hamsters, rats and rabbits and never had insurance for any of them.

kazwookie

I've never had insurance, but I do have a 'pet' bank account, I put 'pocket money' in each month by SO, so they can pay for their own bills, so over the last 40 years or so, it has covered everything.


My vets think it is very amusing for the pets to pay their own bills.


But you should consider what you can / cannot afford should the need arise, what suits one will not suit another.

AnotherJoe

Rabbits do not "need" insurance. Neither do GP's.

sheramber

No animal needs insurance but an owner may consider it gives peace of mind to know that any large bill will be covered.

I f you have access to funds, credit card etc then you may consider it not necessary to have insurance.

Putting money away in a separate account may suffice.

The reason for high premiums for rabbits and guinea pigs are they are considered exotic animals which may need specialist advice

pulliptears

I searched everywhere for a reasonable GP Insurance and it just doesn't exist. The best I could get was something like £25 a month.
On that basis I advised DD (who owns said pigs) to stick £15 a month in the bank just in case.

And yes to exotics. Only certain vets will treat them.