Searching for pet insurance can be a daunting task. There are so many different companies out there that offer pet insurance products and discounts when you sign up, that if you???re not sure what you are looking for, trying to choose between them might become a time-consuming experience, and in some cases a costly exercise should you choose a cover that could leave you still having to pay out for expensive vet fees.
There is so many different covers out there that the whole experience can be over-whelming, however when it comes down to it, all pet insurances may be divided into these types:
- Genuine ???Covered For Life??? (where chronic, re-occurring or lifelong conditions and illnesses are covered for the life of the pet, provided the policy is renewed each year without a gap in cover)
- Guaranteed Life Time Cover (only guarantees to cover the pet in old age, not lifelong or chronic illnesses)
- Maximum Benefit Cover (will only cover claims to a set amount per condition, then the condition is excluded)
- 12 Months Cover (conditions are covered for 12 months, then the condition is excluded)
When looking at the right policy for your pet, it is important to acknowledge that the greater the coverage you want, the pricier the policy will be. Many of the cheaper policies around will cover the bare minimum and still leave you paying when the vet bills are well into the thousands. Vet bills are continuously increasing as treatment becomes more costly due to the advancements in technology and medication that will increase the likelihood of your pet???s survival/recovery. To have your pet fully covered and you not having to worry about vet bills, a covered for life policy would be the best fit.
Biggest claims for dogs in September 2016
| Illness/injury | Cost |
| Gastric dilation ??? volvulus | $7,880.00 |
| Leiomyosarcoma left kidney | $7,528.40 |
| Bilateral ruptured cruciate ligament | $6,966.22 |
| Prolapsed disc | $4,759.12 |
| Lymphoma on shoulder | $4,717.45 |
| Left ruptured cruciate ligament | $4,716.50 |
| Gastric dilation ??? volvulus | $4,593.36 |
| Left ruptured cruciate ligament | $4,067.05 |
| Anaemia of unknown cause | $3,979.00 |
| Proximal suspensory desmitis | $3,591.45 |
Petplan??Pet Insurance plans are designed to give you the best coverage options
Petplan covers the treatment costs of veterinary fees attributed to accidents, injuries or illnesses which may happen to your pet, provided the condition did not occur prior to cover. After the cover has commenced, cover for injuries and accidents starts immediately on sign up (providing the injury did not occur prior to cover commencement); illness cover begins after the 21 day waiting period compared to 30 days for many of Petplans competitors.
Covered for Life
Covered for Life policies are for the entire life of your pet, provided the cover is renewed each year without a break. The number of times you can claim for the same illness is unlimited; enabling you to give your animal the very best in veterinary care regardless of how much it costs. However, the amount for which you can claim in any one year is capped on an annual basis to the maximum benefit amount stated in your policy and a fixed excess will apply to any claims made. On Petplan ???Covered for Life??? pet insurance, the excess is payable per unrelated condition (illness), per policy year.
Paralysis ticks
Paralysis tick treatment is covered and it is not limited to a set amount or number of incidents per year.
Behavioural Treatment
Petplan is one of the only pet insurance providers that will cover the costs of treatment of a behavioural condition your vet has diagnosed.
Diagnostic tests
The cost of diagnostics tests for your pet are covered even if a diagnoses has not been made.
Complimentary treatment
Petplan will cover physiotherapy when referred and endorsed by your vet and it is deemed necessary to treat an injury and/or illness. Other alternative treatments and therapies covered are acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine, chiropractic manipulation, osteopathy and hydrotherapy for up to 10 sessions in total per period of insurance, up to the annual maximum benefit of your selected plan if they are to treat an injury or illness.
Congenital and Hereditary conditions
Petplan will cover the costs of hereditary and congenital disorders, providing the pet was not shown clinical signs of the condition prior to cover commencing or within the 21 day waiting period and it is not excluded in your policy documentation or certificate of insurance.
Cancer
Providing the cancer is not a pre-existing condition, or an exclusion on your policy, we will cover the costs of the treatment of cancer such as chemotherapy. We do not cover the costs of transplant surgery or stem cell treatments.
Third party liability
Petplan dog policies cover Third Part Liability damage up to $1million, $2million or $5million depending on your selected plan. Third Party Liability covers any injury or damage by an insured dog, which the owner may be liable for
Routine care
Petplan provides peace of mind that your pet will have access to the very best veterinary attention should an unexpected injury or illness happen, that you otherwise would not be able to budget for. Routine, preventative or elective care for your pet, such as vaccination, worming and de-sexing can be budgeted for. This is similar to how your car insurance generally does not cover routine service, tyre care or registration fees.
When it comes down to it, pet insurance only covers what you pay for. That’s why it is important to not dismiss pricier companies as they may have your best interests in mind by covering your pet for everything in case of an unexpected and unplanned emergency vet visit.
