We break down the costs of insuring the health of your cat and what to look for when choosing a pet insurance policy.
If you’re looking at insuring the health of your cat, then you have taken a step in the right direction. As any responsible pet parent knows, accidents and illnesses can and will happen when you least expect them to. And whilst you can’t predict when things go wrong, you can plan for when they do. Which is where pet insurance for cats comes into play.
The reason for pet insurance
Pet insurance (which was created by a vet to prevent his patients’ paw parents having to face the unexpected and expensive bills of veterinary care – fun fact of the day!) provides you with cover for vet fees if your cat has an accident or becomes ill.
In some cases, your insurer might also include other benefits such as covering the costs of routine (wellness) care and day-to-day costs like vet visits and even dental care. It all depends on your chosen insurer and the plan you decide to purchase.
Oneplan Pet Insurance, our pawesome partner, has a range of plans that give you the freedom of choice to find a plan that not only suits your budget, but your pet’s healthcare needs too. They also cover expensive conditions like pre-existing, hereditary, and congenital conditions after a certain waiting period.
What’s more, they front you with cash BEFORE you see your vet with your Onecard and provide you with discounts of up to 25%* on pet food and supplies in their Premium Onepet Store!
In any case, finding an affordable and reliable pet insurance plan can provide you with peace of mind in the event of an emergency.
But is pet insurance for cats necessary?
Oh yes, it is. Look at it this way, whilst your precious ball of fluff and love is an endless source of fascination and love – just like humans, your cat can fall ill or have an accident.
And what happens when you rush Mr. Whiskers to the vet after he doesn’t land on his feet after jumping down from a tree? Or when you find a strange lump on his belly? Vet bills can quickly skyrocket when surgery is required (you’re looking at thousands of rands to save your cat’s life).
Pet insurance is a sure-fire way to help you plan for the unexpected (and expected if you have cover for day-to-day costs).
Discover: The Pros and Cons of Cat Health Insurance
What does cat insurance cost?
We’re glad you asked! As we mentioned above, Oneplan has 4 different plans for you to choose from, each with their own benefits and pricing. We have outlined some of the main benefits of each plan below:
Pet Accident Plan
Cost = R80 per cat per month
Benefits:
- No age limit applies to this plan
- R8000 in accident cover
- Access to the Onepet Store Shopping
Pet Hospital Plan
Cost = From R190 per cat per month
Benefits:
- Annual limit of R45 000
- Accident and illness cover up to R35 000
- Kennel fees up to R165 per day (in the event that something happens to you, and you cannot look after your cat)
- Option of Excess Buster and Pet Med Booster add-ons
- Access and up to 15% discount* on the Onepet Store
Pet Classic Plan
Cost = From R280 per cat per month
Benefits:
- Annual limit of R48 000
- Vet visits and routine care up to R6 500
- Accident and illness cover up to R40 000
- Kennel fees up to R165 per day
- Option of Excess Buster and Pet Med Booster add-ons
- Access and up to 20% discount* on the Onepet Store
Pet Super Plan
Cost = From R430 per cat per month
Benefits:
- Annual limit of R70 000
- Vet visits and routine care up to R8 000
- Accident and illness cover up to R55 000
- Kennel fees up to R185 per day
- Option of Excess Buster and Pet Med Booster add-ons
- Access and up to 25% discount* on the Onepet Store
Please note that these prices were valid in July 2023, when this article was written. For up-to-date pricing, please click here.
What to consider when choosing a pet insurance plan
1. Insure your cat (or kitten) as soon as possible
Mr. Whiskers might be happy and healthy right now, which makes it hard to imagine that something might go wrong. However, the best time to insure your cat is right now, before they suffer from any accident or illness (which comes with the consequences of expenses and possible exclusion of the condition from any future cover – most pet insurers do not cover pre-existing conditions).
2. Make an informed choice the first time
It’s advised that you spend some time investigating the insurance options available to you. It’s also a good idea that you chat with your vet and get an idea of what sort of cover he or she recommends (comprehensive or accident-only), as no one knows your pet’s health as well as your vet. Your vet might also have some experience with working with an insurer he or she deems highly.
3. Read the fine print
Another reason we love Oneplan Pet Insurance is that they have done away with the legal lingo and complicated words no one understands and break down their insurance policies to ensure you know exactly what you are covered for and what you are not. But not all insurers are created equal. Which means that you need to ensure you know the ins and outs of your policy before you sign on the dotted line.
4. Do not base your choice on price alone
Whilst affordability is a major factor when it comes to choosing a plan, all pet insurance policies have different benefits and exclusions. Which means that you might choose a plan that suits your budget, only to find out you are not covered for the events that really matter.
The key takeaway here is that pet insurance is a must-have if you’re a cat parent, even if you don’t see the need for it right away. Not only is it a great way to save money on vet bills, it’s also the best way to make sure your precious kitty gets the proper treatment they need for an unexpected accident or illness.
We hope this article provided you with everything you need to know before choosing the right pet insurance for your fluffy fur baby!
Yours in not-so-average pet advice,
The Petinsurance.co.za Team
*Discounts are plan and risk profile dependent. Excludes Accident Plan.