Can you afford emergency surgery for your pet?

If your family pet collapses and you rush them to the vet, you may resolve to do all that you can to save their life. However, you may be shocked by their medical bills, which could place you in long-term debt and ruin you financially.

We consider how pet insurance can help with these costs, how you can go about choosing the right cover for your pet, and how to take action should you need to make a claim.

Tip: Are your vet bills landing you in unmanageable debt? Start debt consolidation today.

Your pet’s medical bills could be as high as your own

According to Candice De Jongh, veterinarian at Bryanston Veterinary Hospital, it’s impossible to predict which accidents, emergencies, or illnesses your pet may encounter. Trying to find the funds when your pet needs urgent care can be heartbreaking for all concerned.

“The reality is that veterinary hospital care, medicines, scans, and rehabilitation can be as pricey as medical treatments for humans,” says De Jongh. 

She believes that pet insurance is an important consideration when any pet joins a family.

“This cover minimises the cost of veterinary care, and it can be a significant source of comfort to you during a stressful time. Pet owners who invest in pet insurance can make sure that their pets have access to the best care possible in the event of an illness or accident,” says De Jongh.

Pet insurance can also prevent the tragic situation of having to base an important treatment decision on the level of care you can afford at the time, De Jongh adds.  

READ MORE: How to negotiate lower insurance premiums.

How to choose the right cover

There are many providers within South Africa who offer pet insurance, and each has benefits that might appeal to you. De Jongh highlights a number of considerations when choosing a provider.

• Any new pet owner should conduct thorough research on the unique and common health concerns of the pet they are acquiring. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees regarding the health of your pet throughout its life. However, it’s important to be well-versed in terms of what to expect. You can then identify the pet insurance plan that will provide the best possible coverage for your specific pet’s potential needs.
• Be sure to commit to a pet insurance plan as early as possible. Often pet insurance companies exclude full or partial coverage for any claims related to pre-existing conditions at the time of taking out a premium, or that may develop during a "no-claim waiting period".
• Investigate the provider’s policies on hereditary or pre-existing conditions. Some pet insurance service providers may not cover pre-existing, hereditary, or congenital conditions.
• There’s a difference between comprehensive cover and accident cover. Fully comprehensive plans generally pay out for accidents, illnesses, and every other medical eventuality, as opposed to providing accident cover only. Decide which option suits your unique circumstances.
• Some pet insurance companies offer premiums that include veterinary care cover for routine procedures, such as dental care, annual wellness visits, prescription foods, rehabilitation therapy, and compensation in the event that your pet becomes deceased.

De Jongh says that if your pet is already covered by pet insurance, then you should keep the following tips in mind during the claims stage. 

• If your pet is hospitalised, you should contact your insurance provider to inform them and confirm what they will cover, so that you are prepared for any costs you may personally incur. Depending on your policy, you may have an excess that you need to cover.
• A common mistake people make is assuming that pet insurance works in the same way as human medical insurance. In actual fact, submitting claims with pet insurance companies is a slightly different process. Veterinary hospitals do not submit claims on your pet's behalf, nor are veterinary hospitals involved in the financial aspect of a claim.

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