Pet Insurance

Why You Should Take Out Pet Insurance – What Exactly is Pet Insurance

Pet insurance should really be bought for any and all pets – except, perhaps, goldfish. You wouldn’t want your pet to be in need of medical attention and simply not be able to help them due to funds.

There is also the issue of pets who pass away, having insurance will help, if just slightly, knowing you can give your pet a dignified cremation.

When taking out insurance for your pet, you are essentially paying for pet medical aid. This comes in handy when your pet gets hurt, falls ill, or needs pricey routine care.

Types of Pet Insurance

Pet insurance is still quite new to the South African scene, but its popularity is growing, and with it comes many
different types of cover offered. Currently, you can get any of the following plans:

Accidental Only

This will cover pets medical bills for accidental injuries. This works well for older pets, and can be a helpful plan for those who can’t afford comprehensive care.

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Comprehensive

This covers accidental injuries, as well as routine care. The premiums for this plan are much higher – but you are covered for almost any situation.

Inquire

Routine Care

This is cover for medical bills that come about often. Routine vet appointments for deworming, teeth cleaning and other necessary visits are all covered under this plan.

Inquire

Pet Insurance FAQs

While pet insurance and pet medical aid is important, and can really help when your pet is sick, there is still not that much info about it. We found answers to some of the most common questions surrounding pet medical aid and insurance.

What is the average cost of pet insurance per month?

This largely depends on the type of pet you are trying to insure, the breed, age, and the plan you take out. On average, you can expect to pay anything between R70 pm and R300 pm.

In general, cat insurance costs less than dogs, and older pets’ insurance premiums are higher. Usually, the more pets you insure with the same company, the lower your premiums per pet will be.

Is it worth it to have pet insurance?

Vet bills can be massive, and accidents happen all the time. It’s not likely that you’ll never have to take your pet to the vet. Whether it’s a bee sting, a virus, or the unfortunate event of being hit by a car (dogs and cats sometimes get out of their yards) – you won’t know you need it until you do. In that regard, pet insurance is VERY worth the monthly premiums.

What does pet insurance actually cover?

Depending on the plan you take out, pet insurance can cover the following:

Accidental injuries – X-rays, surgeries, medicine, etc.
Deworming
Teeth Cleaning
Illness – such as cancer, etc.
Cremations

Can I insure my senior pet?

Many insurance providers won’t insure a pet older than 8 years. However, if you insure your pet when it is young, they will be covered until they die.

There are exceptions to this rule, of course. If you manage to find insurance for your senior pet, the premiums are likely to be significantly higher than for a younger pet. The insurance may also not cover certain illnesses of the senior pet.

Can I insure exotic pets?

Certain insurance companies do cater to exotic pets, such as lizards, birds, and bunnies. The medical costs for such pets are usually higher, due to it being quite an expertise field. Because of this, your premiums will likely be higher for exotic pets as well.

What is not covered by pet insurance?

While medical aid for your pets helps to pay for most vet bills, there are certain things that are not covered by pet insurance. These include: