Santa has a problem: How does he insure his reindeer?

But if you’ve become a proud pet parent this holiday season, you might have your ears pricked for pet care advice. So, we thought we’d take you on a jolly journey exploring some of the things you may have to think about when taking out a pet insurance policy. 

Why are we talking about magical flying Christmas reindeer, you ask? We figure if we can find an insurance policy to fit Santa’s herd, then sorting out insurance for your pup or kitten should be a breeze (plus, ’tis the season). 

Below are a few things the man in red will need to consider.

Magical reindeer are purebreds, so they could be expensive to cover

When it comes to pet insurance costs, breed can have a big impact. You’d imagine the flying, gift-giving type of reindeer must be a purebred to maintain the magical lineage, so Santa could see a price hike on his annual premium.

It’s a similar deal with cats and dogs (the pets which insurance companies usually cover), as some breeds will have ingrained health or behavioural traits which increase the chance of owners claiming on insurance. Mozo’s 2020 pet insurance report showed some breeds like Bullmastiffs and French Bulldogs can cost upwards of $1,500 to insure each year on average.

So what about designer reindeer Rudolph? Well, the report also showed designer breeds like Cavoodles, Toy Poodles and Labradoodles (just think ‘oodles’) were actually some of the cheaper dogs to insure. So the unique background of everyone’s favourite red-nosed reindeer could actually bring down pet insurance costs for Father Christmas.

How old is the magical herd?

If Mr and Mrs Claus are rearing reindeers from birth or bringing them home when they’re young, this could bring good cheer to their pet insurance budget. 

It’s pretty common across most pet insurance providers for premiums to rise alongside age, and many don’t offer cover for animals older than eight. Best practice is to insure them while they’re young for a better-value deal over their lifetime.

Santa’s famous deer have been on the festive radar for many years, so could be a little long in the tooth. But hey, maybe there’s a special age clause when it comes to present purveying pets.

How does flying factor in?

Even if Dancer, Prancer, Dasher and the rest of the gang have been flying through snowstorms for centuries, there’s always potential for roof-landing scrapes during supernatural animal aviation. 

Luckily, the most basic level of pet insurance is accident cover, which as you might guess from the name covers accidental injuries. 

If you’re thinking of taking out this level for your own (non-magical) fury pal, be sure to check product disclosure statements (PDS) carefully, as not every kind of accident may be covered. 

The next level of cover incorporates illnesses into your policy, then on another rung up comprehensive cover includes extras like check-ups, vaccinations and preventative care. Head to Mozo’s pet insurance hub for more details.

What doesn’t pet insurance cover?

This will differ between providers whether you’re part of the Claus household or an everyday pet owner. However, you can expect a few common exclusions for things like:

• Pre-existing conditions diagnosed before you got insurance
• Elective treatments like de-sexing
• Grooming
• Treatment for a disease with a known vaccine
• Treatment for an illness that has occurred during the mandatory waiting period
• Dental diseases (dental work is sometimes offered as an optional extra) 
  

Now you know the basics of pet insurance, head to the Mozo Experts Choice Pet Insurance Awards page to find a winning policy which suits you and your pet.