If you are wondering about getting pet insurance for your cat, then you might want to keep reading to find out exactly what the fuss is all about and if medical cover for your feline family member is really worth it…
Is pet insurance worth it?
The case for pet insurance is an ongoing debate among pet owners. However, those who have it will happily tell you how helpful this form of pet care cover can be.
You see, in the case of both routine and emergency medical bills for your pet, pet insurance helps you to cover the costs. Obviously, the amount of cover you have and what events are covered will depend on what plan you have chosen and who your insurer is.
Nonetheless, the point remains that pet insurance is most certainly worth the monthly premium you pay. A vet bill can set you back R1000 for a consult and prescription medication.
If emergency care is needed, then this can cost upwards of R10, 000. For a monthly premium of roughly R350 a month for a comprehensive plan, this is more than worth it to save you from these costs and impending debt.
Choosing the right pet insurance plan will depend on your pet, your budget and your insurer. Have a look at this quick guide for some assistance if you are stuck.
Do I really need pet medical cover for my cat?
Your cat is an endless source of fascination and fun, and she makes for a wonderful companion. But, just like humans, cats can fall ill or get involved in an accident.
Although routine care can drastically improve the health of your cat and detect any underlying issues before they progress, it cannot save you from the high costs of emergency pet care.
Many pet owners believe that they do not need to insure the health of their cats as their pet’s health is rarely an issue. Only to find themselves with a medical bill racking up to tens of thousands of rands when an accident or illness occurs.
Pet insurance can help you to plan ahead for unexpected vet fees.
What does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance policies are able to cover the cost of a wide range of pet-related health scenarios.
Some might even help cover cattery or kennel fees if something happens to you and you are unable to look after your pet (Oneplan Pet Insurance is one of these insurers).
The majority of pet insurance plans will cover:
- Routine care
- Vet visits
- Illness and accident cover
- Pet death bills
Bear in mind that every pet insurer is different and their pet cover plans will be different from one another.
What should I keep in mind when choosing a pet policy for my cat?
1. Insure your kitten or cat as soon as you can
Even if your cat or kitten is in good health right now, you never know when things might go wrong.
In fact, the younger your cat is, the better it is to insure them.
The idea is to get pet insurance before your cat develops an issue such as an illness or injury.
If your cat is diagnosed or shows symptoms of a medical problem, this is typically classified as a pre-existing condition.
What happens if my cat has a pre-existing condition?
Most pet insurers will make you wait a certain period of time (waiting period) before you can claim for any medical bills relating to the condition. This waiting period is normally 12 months.
2. Do your research and make the right choice the first time around
Think about what kind of cover you want your cat to have.
If you can afford it, a comprehensive plan that includes cover for both routine and emergency care is best.
3. Make sure you understand your contract (read the fine print)
Your policy is your contract between you and your insurer. Trust us, you do NOT want to be in a situation where you claim for a vet bill only to find out you are not covered for this kind of event.
And this actually happens all the time to pet insurance clients.
Insurers like Oneplan try to make it as simple as possible for you and even provide an “easy to read” policy document for you to know exactly what you are covered for, and more importantly, what you are not.
4. Don’t base your decision on the price
Remember, cheaper is not better.
When it comes to pet cover for your cat, choose a pet care plan that includes the cover you want and at the price you can afford. The cheaper the plan, the less cover you have.
5. Ask away!
Before making any decisions, ask your insurer about any questions you might have! There is no such thing as a dumb question.
Does pet insurance pay me before I see the vet?
In most cases, no. Your pet insurer will only reimburse you AFTER the consult.
However, some insurers, well actually, Oneplan is the only one we could find who do this, will pay you before you see the vet.
What it comes down to
After reading this article we hope you realise just how important insurance is for your cat and how it can help you save money in vet bills.
Until next time,
The petinsurance.co.za Team