We dig into the facts on pet insurance cover and benefits like emergency boarding and kenneling.
Finding an insurer who meets your needs
The first thing to know when it comes to pet insurance providers is that no insurer is created equal. Which is why choosing a provider comes with its own set of challenges before signing on the dotted line. The first of which is sifting through pages of information and terms and conditions to try to determine exactly what you are covered for, and more importantly, what you are not. The process of finding an insurer who meets your needs (and your budget) is not an easy one. Which is why finding an insurer who simplifies the process is vital.
What about kennel cover?
Speaking of what you are covered for, a common question I hear pet parents ask is whether or not pet insurance includes cover fees for emergency boarding and kennelling. And I have to say, this is a pretty good question to ask.
Your family or friends can’t always look after your pet
We already know that pet insurance includes cover for accidents, and depending on your chosen plan, illnesses and wellness care might also be included. But what about the costs accrued from emergency pet boarding when your precious pet has to be looked after should something happen to you and you are unable to look after your pet? It’s not always the case that you can have a friend or family member look after your beloved Bruno.
Bruno might be particularly fussy (he’s used to being an only child) and doesn’t really get on with your sister’s chihuahua. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Regardless, should something unexpected happen to you that lands you in the hospital, do you have cash lying around to pay for a kennel or cattery (let alone the costs of your hospital stay)?
Which pet insurers include cover for emergency kennelling?
Which brings us back to our question of pet insurance and emergency boarding fees for our pets.
So, as I usually do with topics like these, I did some digging. As it turns out, not all pet insurers include cover for costs such as these. In fact, it’s quite rare if they do. However, there are a handful of insurers who are kind enough to include this in even the most basic of plans. One of them being, Oneplan.
Oneplan Pet Insurance
After finding out that Oneplan covers emergency kennelling, I decided to give their team a call and chat about how this benefit works and what pet healthcare plans include this benefit. Here’s what their team had to say…
How this cover works
The first thing Oneplan makes clear is that they get that life is complicated, which is why they do everything they can to simplify their insurance process. From paperless claims that pay you BEFORE you see your vet of choice, they also include a range of pretty amazing benefits, from cover for vet visits, routine care (that you can top up with their Routine Care Plus benefit), to accident and illness cover that has one of the highest annual limits compared to other insurers (which means they pay you more).
Which brings us to another benefit of signing up with Oneplan, their cover for emergency kennelling costs.
Just to be clear, this does not mean you can claim for kennel or cattery costs when you decide to go on holiday to the beach or even on a work trip. Kennel cover only applies when you are physically unable to look after your pet due to unexpected hospitalisation that you are not responsible for. Meaning you are in hospital due to something that was out of your control, and your precious pet needs someone to look after him or her.
This means that Oneplan will not cover kennel fees if you are in hospital due to alcoholism, drug abuse or addiction, attempted suicide or self-inflicted injuries.
How to claim for this cover
If something does happen to you and you land up in hospital, you will need to provide Oneplan with the following:
- Proof of receipts from a registered kennel or cattery
- Proof of hospitalisation (i.e. your hospital account)
- Confirmation of length of stay
What if a friend or family member looks after your pet?
Well, this is the great part about this benefit with Oneplan, they will also help cover the costs of food and lodging if your pet is being looked after by a relative or friend.
How much is covered?
Kennel or cattery
Pet Accident Plan – no cover
Pet Hospital & Classic Plan – R165 per day up to R1650 per event
Pet Super Plan – R185 per day up to R1850 per event
Please note that these prices are subject to change, for updated prices click here.
Family or friend looking after your pet
Oneplan will pay an amount of R50.00 per day for a maximum of 14 days.
So, if you are looking for a pet insurance policy designed with your pet in mind, look no further than Oneplan Pet Insurance.
Until next time,
The Pet Insurance Team