Why Your Puppy [AND YOU] Need Pet Insurance
One question that I get asked a lot is, “Should I get insurance for pets?”. My answer is always a resounding yes! Unplanned veterinary costs can be somewhat relieved when you invest in a good pet insurance plan.
What is Pet Insurance?
In plain terms, pet insurance is short-term cover. Essentially pet insurance is a type of insurance policy bought by you as the pet owner that lessens the burden of expensive, and very likely, unforeseen veterinary costs (sudden illness, accidents, etc.).
This cover is very similar to humans’ medical aid. Pet insurance covers in part, or sometimes in full, expensive veterinary procedures. To find the right dog insurance plan, some evaluation and comparison is needed on your part.
Why Should I Get Pet Insurance for My Puppy?
Think about it this way; apart from the reasons already specified above, the veterinary bills for treating any illnesses and injuries can quickly spiral out of control. Failing to provide your puppy with:
- Regular veterinary check-ups
- Getting them sterilised, or
- And, even keeping up to date with the recommended puppy vaccine schedule, can cause severe discomfort, or in extreme cases, even death of your beloved companion, especially at a young age, when their tiny bodies are still developing.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
To aid with the management of unexpected emergencies and yearly veterinary costs, you can invest in puppy insurance. This will save you some out-of-pocket expenses. Similar to a human healthcare plan, a dog owner will either pay a monthly or annual premium.
Depending on your puppy’s needs and your budget, you will have either primary or premium features at your disposal. There are many pet insurance companies in South Africa, but in my opinion and from my experience, I highly recommend Oneplan.
They have four different pet plans for you to choose from, so there is a pet plan for every puppy and owner. Some of the instances covered in their plans include:
- Accident Cover (needing sutures, x-rays, hit by a car, bitten by another dog).
- Dental care
- Boarding
- Multi-pet family discounts
- Holistic wellness
- Theft
- Radiation & chemotherapy
How Much is Pet Insurance?
In my opinion, and from my experience the best pet insurance for dogs in South Africa is Oneplan. They have a range of plans starting from as little as R80 per month for a basic accident plan and from R430 per month for a their super plan.
How is Pet Insurance Calculated?
There are several factors that determine what your puppy’s pet insurance cost will be. Oneplan, unlike other pet insurance in the country, only considers pet age. Others use the following metrics to assess each customer’s premium:
- Age – The older the dog, the costlier the premium, due to the ravage that age brings in geriatric dogs.
- Breed – Some puppy breeds are predisposed to injuries and illnesses.
- Gender – Statistically, speaking, it’s been proven that more male puppy claims are submitted compared to females – therefore, female puppies will cost less to insure.
- Location – Pet insurance is more costly in large metropolitan areas than rural and suburban regions.
Key Takeaways
- Pet insurance are insurance policies that are bought by dog owners to offset the cost of their dog’s/puppy’s medical bills.
- Pet insurance for dogs relates to canines and veterinary costs.
- Pet cover and cost thereof will vary based on many factors.
With this unpredictable journey, called life that we and our pets live, it’s crucial (now more than ever) to invest in the best pet insurance plan that suits your budget and your puppy’s needs. So don’t delay; contact Oneplan today and get your puppy and you covered.
