At Absolute Pets, we believe that the day you welcome a new cat or dog into your family, is the day you should sign up for a trusted pet insurance policy because we all want to be able to give our beloved pets the veterinary care they deserve when they need it the most.

We understand that choosing the right pet insurance is an important decision and you will most likely have many questions. In this article we cover some of the most common questions about pet insurance and hope that these answers will help you navigate your options and find the right pet insurance for your pet.

Do I really need pet insurance?

Unless you are 100% financially stable and can weather any storm that may come your way, we recommend you sign up for pet insurance from the day you become a pet parent. Pet medical costs add up quickly and arise unexpectedly (an accident, by nature, is unpredictable) and no one wants to be in a position where their vet cannot perform a crucial procedure because of the unexpected cost that can’t be paid.

If I take out pet insurance today, when will the cover start?

You will need to check the terms and conditions of your particular pet insurance policy. You may be insured from day one for many eventualities but there are exclusions for some hereditary or pre-existing conditions and / or waiting periods. For example, some pet insurance offerings don’t cover hereditary conditions, but those that do consider them for payment will only do so 18 months after your pet has signed up for insurance; and provided there have been no clinical symptoms in those first 18 months of cover.

Are there exclusions I need to be aware of?

Exclusions do apply to pet insurance and the most common one is regarding pre-existing conditions. This is why it’s important to sign up for pet insurance at a very early stage when your pet is young and healthy. If you wait until they are older, the risk you take is that by the time you take out insurance for your pet they could have pre-existing conditions which means exclusions are placed on your policy.

Be sure to also check if any age limits apply. For example with most pet insurance offerings, once your pet turns 8 years old you cannot apply for pet insurance. You can only apply for a pet insurance policy when your pet is between the ages of 8 weeks and 8 years; and then they will be covered for the rest of their life. So, if you haven’t yet taken out a pet insurance policy for your pet and they are under the age of 8 years, it’s best you do so before they turn 8 years old. 

When it comes to Pet Accident Cover though you can apply for a policy at any age with Absolute Pets Pet Accident Cover.

When considering pet insurance it also helps to understand what the most common reasons are for visiting a vet and the costs you can expect for the most common procedures.

What pet medical costs can I expect?

Aside from the basics (food, bed, bowls, collar and lead), you need to be prepared for regular vet check-ups (approximately R330 once a year), vaccinations (approximately R520 once a year, pet dependent) and tick, flea and deworming products. But it’s the unexpected costs that pet insurance is designed for (see more details below), like when your cat or dog swallows something they shouldn’t have or they’re wounded by another cat or dog when out on their daily walk. The right pet insurance can help you a great deal with these costs.

What are the most common reasons for vet visits?

The most common reasons for a visit to the vet include:

• Vaccinations (download our Routine Care Guide for a comprehensive list of what vaccinations your pet needs and when).
• Skin conditions
• Gastrointestinal upsets
• Sterilizations
• Wounds as a result of accidents (common for young cats and dogs)
• Bite wounds (as a result of cat/dog fights)
• Lacerations or cruciate ligament ruptures
• Biopsies (common for older dogs)

The good news is that many of these costs are covered by certain pet insurance policies, like the Premium Cover option offered by Absolute Pets Pet Insurance. 

What are the average costs of common (more serious) pet medical procedures?

Medical expenses can vary from vet to vet, town to town but here is a general guide to help you understand how financially prepared you need to be.

• Dentistry (approximately R2200), dependent on the severity.
• Cruciate surgery (approximately R3500).
• Surgical or endoscopic removal as a result of swallowing a foreign object (approximately R5000) but can reach up to R11000.

To understand the financial impact of one of these common procedures/ treatments, consider the example below:

Example: Treating an accident wound could entail the consultation fee (approximately R330), cruciate surgery (approximately R3500), injection (approximately R80), medicines/antibiotics etc. (approximately R500) which comes to around R4410 (depending on the nature of the wound). In a worst case scenario, this could add up to three to five times more than that, depending on the severity of the accident. The reality is, you can never plan for these costs. The best way to  prepare yourself is to ensure you have a good pet insurance policy for your pet.

Finally, what does pet insurance cover?

Every pet insurance offering differs. Here at Absolute Pets, we have three great options to choose from: Pet Accident Cover and two Comprehensive Cover plans.

PET ACCIDENT COVER

• From as little as R90 a month (with discounts for 2 or more pets)
• Up to R9000 in cover per pet policy year (a sub-limit of R4500 per accident)
• Amongst many other situations, Absolute Pets Accident Cover will cover your pet for: burns; wounds inflicted by another animal; allergic reactions to insect or flea bites; accidents resulting in broken bones or fractures; lacerations; abrasions and ligament and tendon injuries.
• Accident Cover does not cover sickness, illness or medical conditions that did not result from an accidental injury.

COMPREHENSIVE COVER

• We have two options of Comprehensive Cover, from R200 a month (with discounts for 2 or more pets)
• Up to R45,000 cover per pet’s policy year
• Comprehensive Cover does not only cover you for accidents. It can also cover for dentistry; consultations; treatments and medicines; skin conditions and surgical procedures. With our Premium Comprehensive Cover, you also receive R1200 towards Routine Care which includes vaccinations, tick and flea treatment, deworming, sterilisation, teeth scaling and polishing).

Get in touch

We are here to help you make the best decisions for your pet. So take a look at our pet insurance options or feel free to email us at insurance@absolutepets.com for further assistance