So many of us like to believe that nothing bad will ever happen to our pets. If we exercise them, feed them the right food and show them love, then that should be fine - right? Well, the truth is, it doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. Here’s why you need to insure the health of your pet right now.

Just like health insurance or medical aid, pet insurance shouldn’t be something you purchase only when your pet is sick or is involved in an accident.

Unfortunately, this is what happens with a number of pet parents when faced with a huge vet bill.

What is pet insurance?

Before I get into the details of why you need to insure your pet before it’s too late, let’s take a quick look into what this form of health cover is…

Check out: The pet insurance answers to the questions you’ve been asking.

Pet insurance is like a form of medical insurance for your dog or cat. For a small monthly premium, you are covered for the things you didn’t see coming, and the things you did (thanks to routine care benefits).

Pet insurance will either reimburse you or front you with the cash you need for your vet bills. In fact, only one insurer will pay you before you see the vet and that’s Oneplan.

Pet medical cover will help you to afford treatment, protect you against minor and major financial setbacks and gives you the peace of mind you need in being a pet parent.

Having a pet insurance plan will help you to get the best possible care for your pet without having to worry about the financial implications.

When should I insure the health of my pet?

It’s a good idea to insure the health of your pet while she is still young and healthy. When your pet ages, her risk of health concerns will increase. If your pet has already been diagnosed with a health issue, then this will be seen as a preexisting condition.

Most preexisting conditions require a 12 month waiting period before you can claim for any medical costs relating to them.

Don’t wait until it is too late

For a number of pet parents, the first time they start to research into pet insurance or hear about it is when they are presented with a great big bill.

Insurance is about the management of risks. For a small fee every month, you are covered in the event of an accident. And with some pet insurance plans, you are also covered for vet visits and routine care.

Read: My pet is healthy - do I even need to see the vet? 5 reasons why routine care is so important for our precious pets.

Is pet insurance worth it?

So many people believe that pet insurance is not worth it because they believe they will never have to use it. However, this is the wrong way to look at it.

Pet insurance is NOT about saving money, it is about creating and having a safety net to protect you IN CASE something goes wrong.

Pets get sick. There is no way around it. Just as humans are at risk of accidents and illnesses, so are pets.

It doesn’t matter how much love and amounts of the right food you feed your pet, you can’t predict when he might get hit by a car or develop a tumour.

Did you know that dogs have a 25% chance of developing a tumour in their life? And in some cases, you might not even know your dog is sick until it is too late.

What happens if my pet is injured or sick BEFORE I buy pet insurance?

You will end up having to pay the entire vet bill out of your own pocket. And if your pet is diagnosed with a chronic illness, then this may not be covered or you will have to wait 12 months if it is a preexisting condition.

What it comes down to

We have all heard the horror stories of dogs who swallowed their own toys which had to be surgically removed. Or of cats who suffered from renal failure or diabetes. And the stories end the same way, every time - in enormous vet bills which only make it harder for pet parents to deal with their sick pets.

Vet bills will continue to increase and put financial pressure on you as medical advances in veterinary studies are able to give your pet a long, healthy and happy life. But these advances come hand in hand with a hefty price tag.

Get pet insurance before it’s too late. Unless you are prepared to spend thousands of hard-earned rands in medical bills?

Until next time,

The Pet Insurance Team