Our Sites:
Pet insurance coverage
Firstly, individual schemes vary in terms of what is actually covered. For example, exclusions may include pregnancy, elective procedures, behavioral therapy, and diets, but accidents and illnesses will be covered by most policies. You can expect more common occurrences, such as bone breakage and organ failure, to be included in any insurance plan as standard.Insurance companies will often protect themselves against paying out for pets that are elderly and expected to increasingly need (in some cases considerable) medical care over time. Most insurance companies will have an age limit for pets covered under a new policy. For dogs and cats, this will generally be between roughly eight and 12 years of age, depending on the company. With so many companies on the market, including Vets Own, RSPCA, AFS Pet-Med, Petsecure, Petplan, Petcover, and Insuranceline, among others, it is worth comparing prices and individual plan terms. Your veterinarian can help select a reputable company suiting your exact needs.
Some companies may offer plans specifying no upper age limit for your pet, however such policies will often only cover accidents. Full coverage (for any situation) policies offered by the same company will almost certainly still have an applicable upper age limit. It is worth noting also that most policies will not allow claims for pre-existing illnesses. Any condition that your pet suffers from at the time of taking out a policy, therefore, will not be covered by your insurance plan, even if it deteriorates.
Cost of pet protection
As you might expect, the cost of pet health insurance can vary, depending on the type of cover you choose. Basic accident cover starts from roughly AU$17 per month, with discounts available from some insurance providers for covering multiple pets at the same time. Premiums may vary for different breeds of pet, however, due to known predispositions to inherited diseases and other problems, and this is particularly applicable to the Shar-Pei, German Shepherd, and Great Dane breeds in the case of dogs.
Pet health insurance is a personal decision, but it can always be a worry knowing that animals are prone to illness or injury at any given time. Constantly active young pets are particularly exposed to injury (most commonly in the case of dogs, although some policies specifically cover injuries to indoor cats), whilst older animals are naturally susceptible to illness. Ultimately, the decision between taking out a policy or running the risk of going without insurance is down to the individual’s price on peace of mind. Unexpected medical costs may be a stressful additional concern at a time when you’ll probably want to focus solely on your pet’s wellbeing.
