Like many pet owners before me, remaining fiercely protective of your fur baby becomes instinctual. And before you know it, you’re going into the depths of the internet searching for pet insurance. But is it the right choice for you and your pet? Let’s find out!

All it takes is one little accident. They bump their paw or cough something up and you are immediately panicking. I guess it’s in those little moments that you realise that your pet is so much more than just an animal that lives with you rent-free. They’re an additional family member which means providing them with the same care you would yourself.

So, if you have found yourself surfing the internet, trying to make sense of the confusing exclusions, jargon-heavy lingo and policy documents of pet insurance, you aren’t alone. You are just another deeply concerned pet parent. Now if you find yourself questioning all of the varying pet insurance options on the market, I’ve got some good news for you. You can close all of those tabs because I intend on telling you everything you need to know.

How do I know pet insurance is right for me?

There are a number of ways to answer this question. I could go the long-winded paragraph route, which may have incredibly valid points, but that could be time-consuming. I could also simply give you the simple answer (pet insurance is for EVERYONE) but then that’s the end of the blog.

Opting in for pet insurance is a personal choice, which means allowing room to make that decision on your own. So instead, I figured that I would ask you a few questions that will help YOU decide whether or not this is a debit order you think is worth adding.

Question 1: Can you afford the “worst-case scenario” bills and costs?

Trips to the veterinarian aren’t cheap. Especially in moments of emergency. From high-end treatments to surgeries and diagnostics, these catastrophic moments are not only emotionally jarring but financially hard-hitting.

These veterinarian costs can come in the following forms:

1. Medical emergency. This includes the ingestion of a foreign body or object, poisoning, urinary tract blockage, bloating, fractures and breaks.
2. Severe and sudden diseases. This can range from acute appendicitis all the way to renal failure.
3. Chronic illnesses. These illnesses include liver disease cancer, heart disease and diabetes to name a few.

Now, if you can cover these costs surprise costs out-of-pocket then perhaps pet insurance may not be for you.

Pet insurance is aimed at covering those bills for you, so if you’ve got them sorted, then there might be no point to it.

On the other hand, why not take the extra help?

Question 2: Is routine and wellness care an integral part of your pet’s lifestyle?

Taking care of your pet goes beyond vet visits for medical emergencies. Much like with our own human health, pets need regular check-ups too. Keeping routine and wellness care as a priority will help stop the progression of any medical conditions. It will also ensure that your pet remains in optimal health and remains up to date with all of their shots and vaccines.

Ultimately the wellbeing of your pet is fully dependent on preventative care. And preventative care isn’t cheap. Opting in for pet insurance is the easiest and quickest way to add preventative care to your pet’s routine.

Question 3: Are you looking for peace of mind?

Apparently, you can put a price tag on peace of mind, and it comes in the form of a pet insurance premium. Stressing about your pet’s overall health and safety is a serious reality for pet owners, and so finding some form of peace amongst the animal chaos is a necessity. The sigh of relief that you have knowing that no matter what happens to your pet, they have access to exceptional medical care, is like no other feeling.

You can now watch them run around the garden, sprint and chew on that shoe you swore you hid away in the cupboard, understanding that medical assistance is a mere drive away!

What more could you ask for?

What do I do now that I know I need pet insurance?

Well, you breathe a sigh of relief because that means that you have acknowledged the sheer power and convenience of pet insurance. The next part is just as easy. You just have to sign up for pet insurance and begin reaping the benefits.

However, there would be no point in letting you scour the internet again in search of adequate pet health insurance. Thankfully, I’ve already done that so I may as well share who my go-to pet insurer is. And trust me, you’ll be ready to sign up in just a few sentences.

My go-to pet insurer

I will always sing Oneplan’s praise. Not only are they an incredibly affordable pet insurer but their coverage comes with all of the bells and whistles. Here are a few of their perks that put them at the top of the pet insurance food chain:

1. You get fronted with cash before visiting any veterinarian as you receive their version of a debit card called a Onecard
2. Your pet can visit any veterinarian of your choosing. Yes, there’s no mandatory associated vet list
3. Their pet plans cover routine care and wellness cover for your fur baby

In all honesty, I could go on about the benefits of joining Oneplan, but I’ll leave them to do all the talking.

Instead, I’ll say this: you owe it to yourself (and your pet) to get pet insurance. It isn’t necessarily even about the money, it’s about having a team that is dedicated to the wellbeing of your pet. Because they deserve to feel as much love as they give.

Until next time,

The Pet Insurance team