News

A first for the Australian Pet Insurance market.

Pet owners are legally responsible for the actions of their animals. If your pet were to injure someone or run across the road and cause an accident, as the owner of that animal you would be liable to prosecution and claims for compensation. With this in mind Petplan Australasia have added third party liability as part of their pet insurance package.

Third party liability insurance basically protects you financially in the event that your pet harms another person or causes them injury, or if your animal were to damage or destroy someone else's property, this includes damage to vehicles too.

Third party liability option extends to insure pet owners in circumstances where the animal is responsible for the death of another person. If your pet's actions were to cause such an incident the claim for compensation could be substantial - and if you do not have third party liability cover you might even have to sell your home in order to make the settlement!

Petplan is offering as part of their Pet Insurance package, (for Dogs only) - Third party liability cover of up to $5 million (depending on the Plan chosen). Insurance cover excludes any injury or damage to property of you, your family, anyone living or working with you.

Who should take out third party liability cover for pets?

All pet owners should consider third party liability insurance. We live in a very litigious world - with the help of the Internet and TV advertising making an injury claim on a no-win no-fee basis is now all too common. Some pet owners have been sued for damages just because their pets were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If you own a dog you should certainly take out third party liability cover. In an overwhelming number of pet-related legal cases it is dogs rather than any other animal that have been responsible for causing an incident where the third party has taken action - mainly because dog ownership is so prolific in the Australia and dogs come into contact with the general public more often than most other pets do.

Even if you have a well-behaved dog it is worth considering taking out third party liability cover. It only takes a moment for your dog to act against its nature and harm someone. If it does you could be sued - perhaps for up to several hundred thousand dollars! The question you have to ask yourself is it worth taking the risk when you can have Pet Insurance including third party pet liability in place to cover such eventualities for as little as $31.20 each month?

Bridie the "Miracle Puppy"

Bridie, a twenty three month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier from Doncaster, not only had a near miss with death; she also amazed all the Veterinarians and Nurses of the Animal Emergency Centre (AEC), Mount Waverley with her miraculous recovery. They have now named her the "Miracle Puppy".

Over the past 5 months, Bridie has received over $24,000 worth of veterinary treatment, and thankfully for her owners, Julian and Celine Woolfson, Bridie was covered for vet bills under her 'Covered for Life' Insurance policy by Petplan Pet Insurance.

Breeders, Stuart and Belinda Mayne, were careful to ensure that Bridie went to her new home covered with Petplan's 6 weeks FREE Pet Insurance. Julian and Celine continued to maintain Bridie's cover by converting to a full annual policy.

Bridie's troubles began when she was just 20 months old. After ingesting a fruit stone she had found in her back garden, she developed a stomach upset and became very unwell.

Following a visit to her local vet and diagnosis using x-rays, it was found that the fruit stone had become lodged in the small intestine causing a severe gastric obstruction. Bridie underwent an emergency operation at the West Doncaster Veterinary Centre and subsequently 5cm of her intestine had to be removed due to infection.

Bridie was referred to the AEC where she received intensive care and constant monitoring to prevent any further complications. Unfortunately, just 2 weeks after her initial operation, Bridie experienced another infection and was presented once again to the AEC with a gastric upset resulting in another operation and a further 80% of her intestine being removed. Many dogs and cats which undergo such severe intestinal operations have a limited chance of survival; nevertheless Bridie bounced back with vigor and determination.

Just two days later however, Bridie's owners were distressed to find that she fell ill again. Bridie's body began to break down leaving her in a grave and vulnerable situation; this was primarily due to the small amount of intestine available for sufficient nutrient absorption.

The following day, Bridie was taken to Melbourne Veterinary Referral Centre (MVRC) were it was decided she would undertake her third and final operation. The chances of survival were remote, however due to constant care and veterinary expertise, Bridie pulled through and days after the operation her owners noticed a vast improvement in her health and demeanor.

Bridie is constantly improving but she's not out of the woods just yet. Not only has she lost 5kg from her ordeal it is likely that she will have to receive a specially supplemented diet for the rest of her life.

Her owner Julian said "Thank you to all at Petplan for the quick and efficient manner that the claim was dealt with, you have relieved us of a burden at a very trying time. Rest assured I will recommend you to all the pet owners I know and back pet insurance all the way"

Since this policy began Petplan has paid out a total of $12,000.00. The Woolfson's took out Petplan's Standard Cover, which is limited to $12,000 Vet Fees in any one year. However, due to the very nature of Bridie's condition we are aware that fees relating to this condition will continue in the future.

Many pet insurance companies will stop paying a claim after 12 months. However Bridie and her owners can rest assured that if she continues to fall ill at the current rate, Petplan can expect to pay out over $25,000 throughout her lifetime.

Petplan believe that Bridie's claim is the biggest Pet Insurance claim ever paid in Australia. But her record will not last as Petplan's highest pet insurance plan covers up to $15,000 in any one year for Vet Fees, so it is just a matter of time before Bridie's record will topple.