When is the right time to insure your pet? During the puppy days or as soon as Fido is a little older? Will you save money by starting it later or is it better to start cover as soon as possible?
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.
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!

