Let’s get to the bottom of pet insurance must-knows somebody has probably lied to you about.
If there is one thing we know to be true, it is this: your pets are your family and deserve all the security, protection and access to excellent health care when things go a little pear-shaped. Looking after your sweet dog is a lot more than just their weekly brush and medium-rare chicken livers. It’s the administrative and protective measure you put in place for your pet that is really going to make the difference.
Save time, money and energy by finding out the truth about some of the main myths in the pet insurance world.
Myth 1: pre-existing conditions aren’t covered
False. Sure, you aren’t going to find this option at any and every insurer but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible! This may be something that has been putting you off getting a shelter pet or from insuring your older dog, but I’m here to tell you that those are both still feasible and recommended options!
For example, Oneplan Pet Insurance offers policies that are incredibly accommodating to insuring pets with pre-existing conditions. There is a 12 month waiting period (which let’s be honest, goes by in a flash) until your dog is covered for any pre-existing conditions or unfortunate conditions to come.
Myth 2: I can insure my pet at any age
This is a bit of a yes and no answer. Most insurance brokers won’t let you insure your dog past the age of 9 - this is done to encourage people to insure their pups when they are young, healthy and in tip-top condition. Your insurer will then be happily able to offer you great policies for your pet that protect him or her well past the age of 9.
Discover: why you should insure your dog when they’re a puppy
Myth 3: a vast network of vets to choose from
Again with the yes and no answers. Pet insurance often only allows you to go to a certain pool of vets that they have preselected - which is all fine and well unless you just don’t happen to click with them. Choosing a vet is a personal decision for you and your pet and finding the right fit is a big deal - it’s an even bigger deal when you’ve found the only vet that doesn’t make your dog yelp in fright and you have to suddenly start all over again.
If being able to stay with your vet is important to you, Oneplan Pet Insurance makes that a possibility. When it comes to adaptable, personal policies, Oneplan is ahead of the game and this is exemplified through their ‘vet of your choice’ commitment.
Myth 4: you only need pet insurance when something goes wrong
Of all the myths surrounding pet insurance, this is the most damaging one. If you think that getting pet insurance only in the event of an emergency is going to cut it, we might need to have a longer chat than I thought.
Thinking you only need insurance when your dog is sick or has an accident is like thinking you only need a parachute after you’ve jumped out of the plane: it’s going to be too late. There is no use waiting for an accident to happen and then hoping insurance will swoop in and save the day. Remember, insurance companies are businesses that work using risk and reward calculations, meaning that an ill pet is going to battle to find coverage at the last minute.
Here’s the thing: pet insurance will save you money. It’s only a matter of time before your dog reaches their golden years and the expenses start rolling in. Chances are the expenses can start accumulating even before they reach old age - young pets are also prone to illnesses and (curiosity-based) accidents.
Myth 5: It's better to start a savings account for your pet
Often when people decide to financially prepare for pet emergencies they go one of two ways: pet insurance or opening a savings account for their pet. Opening a savings account means that you will put a certain amount of money into a separate account dedicated to the health of your pet every month (should you have the discipline), and keep the money in there to pay for any emergency vet bills.
Personally, I wouldn’t go there. Unless you are somebody who knows that they won’t dip into the fund when household expenses become too much or school fees are hard to cover, pet savings accounts can be risky business. Having a savings account for your pet might also have some red-tape around when you can access your funds. Are you able to draw within a few hours? Do you have a limit? These are the things you need to consider before opening a savings account.
Here’s the thing: you can’t predict what health hazards are going to affect your dog and you can’t predict the complications afterwards. For example, you may have enough in your pet savings to pay for removal of a foreign object but what about any follow-up procedures, treatments or medication? Suddenly you have to start your savings fund from scratch, which is never ideal.
Now that you know the ins and outs of the truths and the fallacies of pet insurance, you can make smart decisions that will give your pet and yourself the ultimate peace of mind.