The short and sweet answer is this: Insure your pet as soon as you can afford it.

It’s great to have cover at any age, but taking out a policy during the puppy days actually equates to lower premiums. Keep in mind that some pet insurance companies won’t insure pets over a certain age, although they’ll still be covered if you took out the policy when your pet was younger. Injuries and accidents aren’t age-appropriate. They happen at any age and at any time. While young dogs are more likely to be injured, older dogs are prone to age-related chronic illnesses.

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Why you should insure your pet as soon as possible

Although we all want to be savvy shoppers and save on everything, there really aren’t specific times when you’ll score a better deal with pet insurance. There are no Black Friday deals when it comes to pet insurance. But there are times when you should be particularly considering the idea of insuring your pet.

If you didn’t take out pet insurance when you first brought your furry friend home, the best time to opt in is before the summer and winter seasons hit. That’s when your pets are at risk of illness and accidents since they’re exposed to the elements.

Get the timing right to insure your pet

Nobody buys medical aid with the hopes of spending enough time in the hospital to make the premiums worth it. We also don’t secretly hope we are involved in car accidents just to match our car insurance premiums. We buy insurance so we don’t go broke when the pawpaw hits the fan.

The same goes for pet insurance. You spend a certain amount per month so that you can take care of any health problems your pet encounters. Not so that Fido has R4,000 worth of accidents and illnesses to deal with.

And in essence, that’s why taking out pet insurance when you first bring your pet home is always the best idea. You never know when the unexpected will happen. And you don’t want to be on the fence about taking action because of how it will impact your budget.

Why you should insure your pet before summertime

Summertime sees us relaxing and unwinding after a long, hard year. But it can be a hazardous time of the year for your pets. You see, pets (and dogs in particular) spend more time outdoors during the summer months. Between the heat, plants, and other animals out there, the opportunities for injury are way too much to ignore.

But you can also insure them before winter, because:

Although the summer months are harsh on pets, that doesn’t mean that the winter is all magical for them either. Winter presents its own challenges. Our pets spend more time indoors, where they are exposed to toxic indoor plants we use to decorate our homes.

Just like heat can be an issue for pets, so can extreme colds. Hairless or short-haired pets are particularly in danger of illness and hypothermia. There are also the human-caused side effects of the cold weather to consider.

No such thing as the wrong time to insure your pet

While there are times when you might be considering pet insurance more than other times of the year, there is never a wrong time to do it. You can take out pet insurance during any time of the year. There isn’t any need to put it off any longer than you have to.

Need more information?

Here at Petz.co.za, we’re a little gaga about all things pet-related. If you’re not quite sure on when to insure your pet or you need help with comparing your options, get in touch with us today. Our team of pet lovers is ready to help you in any way possible!

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Did you know that roughly 35% of pet insurance customers claim from their pet policies at least once a year for unexpected vet bills? The chances of having to make a claim against your pet insurance are almost twice as likely as claiming for home or car insurance.

Some people still ponder the idea of cat insurance, but for us, it really is a no-brainer.

Cat insurance is more than just health insurance

One of the main reasons why people take out cat insurance is to avoid costly veterinary bills. But cat insurance is so much more than just that. It can help you cover the costs of finding a lost pet and cattery bills if you can’t be around for your pet. It also covers emergency expenses abroad if your cat is stolen or falls ill and you need help with accommodation or transport.

Different types of cat insurance policies

The market currently has four types of cat insurance policies:

Accident Only

This covers you cat for accidents and injuries. Unless it is caused by accident or injury, illness is not covered under these policies.

Time-Limited

This option gives you a maximum amount to spend on vet fees for each condition, for a set time.

Maximum Benefit

Maximum benefit policies give you a fixed amount of money to use against claims for individual conditions.

Lifetime Cover

This type of cover allocated a set amount of money to spend on annual pet care. It covers your pet for the duration of their lifespan for conditions that develop after the policy starts.

What to consider before taking out cat insurance

Like all other insurance policies, pet insurance is kind of a gamble. You’re betting your cat will need it, and the service provider is hoping it won’t. Before buying pet insurance for your cat, there are a number of things to consider. Here are some key focus points to keep in mind:

Network providers

Does the insurance company use a network or specific provider list? This is especially important if you are determined to stay with your vet of choice. Inquire about what, if any, insurance your vet works with before buying it. Fortunately, most pet insurance plans allow you to use a veterinarian of your choice, but it is still important to read the fine print before signing up.

Exclusions

All pet insurance policies have exclusions. An exclusion that you’ll often see is the “pre-existing condition” clause. This can be loosely defined as injuries, medical conditions and any symptoms of concern that were present before the policy took effect. This is an issue if you cat isn’t in relatively good health. Some other exclusions might include spaying and neutering, hip-dysplasia, vaccinations, flea control, heartworm medication and dental care.

Deductibles and co-payments

Some insurance policies charge a flat deductible of R500 to R1000, depending on the age of your cat, for each procedure. Also, most policies require co-payments of 10% to 20% of the vet’s fee. Deductibles and co-payments can be very significant. Out-of-pocket fees like these lessen the number of total claims pad and the number of unnecessary procedures and diagnostic tests.

Incident, annual or lifetime cap

A lot of pet insurance companies provide a cap on the amount provided for each illness or procedure. Some service providers also make use of an annual cap. In this event, no further coverage is provided for that year. Then there is the case of the lifetime cap. Certain companies have lifetime caps of R120,000 since only one in three cats ever exceeds that amount in a lifetime.

Packages

Does the insurance provider offer tailored plans or do they stick with a “one size fits all” policy? There are a lot of companies that offer a variety of plans depending on the needs of your cat. Some providers even cater specifically to older cats. Most companies offer add-ons services for dental, extended cancer coverage and preventative care. By picking the plan that caters to your cat’s needs, you might be able to save on the monthly premium.

Benefits and savings

Some cat insurance companies are creative with their additional benefits. While one company might offer coverage for 3^rd party property damage, the other might cover you for holiday cancellation, boarding fees, and advertising missing pets. Compare your options and see where you’ll get discounts for signing up more than one pet. You can inquire with your employer to see if they offer pet insurance benefits as part of your employment benefits.

Need more help?

Our team of pet lovers here at Petz.co.za is more than willing and able to lend you a helping hand. Be sure to get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help you find the ideal cat insurance for your feline family member.

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