While your furry family member may be healthy and happy today, it is impossible to predict what accidents, emergencies or illnesses may occur in the future.
People have medical aid or medical insurance to cover any unforeseen medical bills and now pets do too, thanks to innovations in pet insurance.
Dr Candice De Jong, veterinarian at Bryanston Veterinary Hospital said, “…Pet owners who invest in pet insurance can make sure that their pets have access to the best care possible in the event of an illness or accident, and prevent tragic situations of having to base such an important treatment decision, on the level of care they can afford at the time.”
There are many providers within South Africa who provide pet insurance offering a number of benefits that will appeal to users including lower premiums, ease of usage via an app, as well as a no claim bonus pay-out for example.
However, when deciding between service providers, there are a number of things to look out for:
- Any new pet owner should conduct thorough research on the unique and common health concerns of the pet they are taking ownership of. Unfortunately, there are no 100% guarantees regarding the health of your pet throughout its life; however, it is important to be knowledgeable in what to expect regarding your pet.
- Be sure to commit to a pet insurance plan as early as possible when you take ownership of your new animal, because often pet insurance companies exclude full or partial coverage for any claims related to pre-existing conditions at the time of taking out a premium, or that may develop during a ‘no-claim waiting period’.
- Investigate their policies on hereditary/pre-existing conditions. Some pet insurance service providers may not cover pre-existing, hereditary or congenital conditions.
- Comprehensive vs accident: Pet insurance plans may be limited to ones only covering accidents or fully comprehensive ones covering accidents, illnesses and every other medical eventuality.
- Some pet insurance companies offer premiums that include veterinary care cover for routine procedures such as: dental care, annual wellness visits, prescription foods, rehabilitation therapy and compensation in the event that your pet becomes deceased.
Tips to keep in mind when your furry family member is covered by pet insurance:
- If your pet is hospitalised for any medical or surgical condition, it is advisable to contact your insurance provider to inform them and confirm exactly what they will or will not be providing cover for, so that you are prepared for the costs you may personally incur.
- A common mistake people make when working with their pet insurance companies is assuming it works the same as for human medical health companies. In actual fact, submitting claims with pet insurance companies is a slightly different process.
- The authorisations for appointments and treatments depends on the pet insurance company with which you are working with. Generally, appointments do not require a pre-authorisation, but it is strongly advisable to familiarise yourself with your plan’s specific terms and conditions.
“Trying to establish whether you have the savings or money available when your pet needs care can be heartbreaking for all parties, especially when your pet needs emergency care or afterhours support. The reality is that hospital care, medicines, scans and rehabilitation for pets can be as pricey as medical treatments are for us. This is an important consideration when a pet joins your family.”
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