Living with pets brings new surprises every day. But some surprises can turn into medical emergencies if not paid attention to. Your pet may swallow something that gets stuck in its throat or eat something that is supposed to be poisonous. Or it may excitedly run down the street without realising the possibility of an accident.
Therefore, it is crucial to opt for pet insurance policies that not only cover pre-determined conditions but also emergencies. Choosing the right insurance plan will ensure that you stay financially protected while taking care of your four-legged friend.
Choosing the Right Pet Insurance Plan
To choose the best insurance for your pet, ensure that they provide coverage for accidents and emergencies. Some plans offer accident-only cover, while others offer wellness cover. You can buy more than one plan to get the best protection for your pet.
To choose a suitable pet insurance policy, follow these simple steps.
- Determine the Type of Plan: First, you have to decide what kind of coverage you want for your pet. You can opt for a wellness cover, an accident-only cover, or an accident plus illness cover. You can also choose two plans together to get better coverage for your pet.
- Research and Compare: Research different insurance companies and the kind of pet insurance they are offering. Compare their policies side by side to understand coverage scope and benefits.
- Get Multiple Premium Quotes: Premium rates as well as sum insured vary from insurer to insurer. Comparing multiple quotes from different insurance providers will help you choose the plan that fits your budget.
- Review Policy Details: After you have researched and compared multiple insurance plans and their premiums, you can choose the one that you find best suited to your pet. But before making the purchase, discuss policy details thoroughly with your insurer to gain clarity on inclusions, exclusions, benefits, and policy terms.
- Apply for the Policy: After you have followed the above steps, you can proceed to apply and buy your pet insurance policy. You can visit the website of insurance companies like Bajaj General Insurance and buy your desired insurance plan in just a few simple steps.
What are the Inclusions and Exclusions of Pet Insurance Plans?
Now you must be wondering, which emergency cases would a pet insurance policy cover? While policies and benefits may vary depending on the insurance company, there are some common emergencies that are included in almost all policies. They are:
- Broken bones
- Eating something poisonous
- Swallowing an object
- Animal bites
- Emergency surgeries
- Hospitalisation and medication
- Diagnostic tests like X-rays and blood tests
Along with these inclusions, you should also be aware of the exclusions. Pet insurance policies generally do not provide coverage in the following cases.
- If your pet gets injured while intentionally fighting with another animal.
- If your pet gets pregnant.
- Any medical emergencies occurring during the policy’s waiting period.
Coverage for hereditary conditions, pre-existing illnesses, and alternative therapies (acupuncture, chiropractic care, etc.) may or may not be included in the policy depending on the insurance provider.
How Will Your Emergency Pet Insurance Claim Be Reimbursed?
In case of an emergency, you need to be prepared to pay the expenses yourself at first. You can later make a claim to your insurer for reimbursement. After you have met the deductible and coinsurance requirements, the insurer will reimburse the applicable amount.
Suppose the emergency treatment cost for your pet is ₹15,000. Your pet insurance plan provides a sum insured of ₹10,000, with a ₹500 deductible and 10% coinsurance payment.
After the deductible and coinsurance are settled, the remaining amount is ₹13,000. The insurer will pay you ₹10,000, leaving ₹3000 as your extra expenses.
Final Thoughts
Securing your pet’s health and safety is just as important as securing your own. Pet insurance is essential so that you can give your furry friend the care that it deserves without worrying about your finances. With insurers offering flexible plans and customisable coverage, you have a lot of insurance options to choose from.
Make sure to compare different policies and discuss the details of the policy terms with your insurer so that you can choose the best insurance plan for your pet.
