Did you know that 6 out of 10 people in India own a pet, with 68% of them owning dogs? While unconditional love of four-legged companions makes life fulfilling, taking care of them shouldn’t become a financial strain. This is where a good pet health policy can be a huge support in India. With pet insurance, you can ensure high-quality healthcare, including routine veterinary visits, vaccinations, hospitalisation, surgeries and emergency care, without it becoming a financial burden.
But like everything else, there are benefits and disadvantages of pet insurance too. Learning all about them can help you choose the right policy, with necessary riders to ease life and ensure smooth claim settlement experiences. Read on to make well-informed decisions regarding pet insurance in India.
Disadvantages of Pet Insurance and How to Avoid Them
The many pet insurance benefits overshadow the few downsides they might have. Here’s what you should know.
Exclusions:
Standard accident and illness policies typically do not cover vaccinations. Dental cleanings and tick prevention are also excluded. This is because they fall under routine care. The good news is that you can buy a wellness add-on, which comes at a nominal extra cost. So, look for pet insurance providers who offer these extra benefits.
Most insurers do not cover pre-existing diseases that have been declared incurable, such as cancer, arthritis or hip dysplasia. Knowing which illnesses are not covered beforehand will help you plan your savings to take care of the expenses related to such ailments, if needed. However, curable illnesses (including cured before and relapsed later) are covered under certain policies. This includes bladder infections and ear problems, to name a few.
Comprehensive Plans:
A pet health policy in India is unlikely to cover injuries, such as broken bones due to accidents or X Rays required to detect such fractures. You will have to purchase separate accident cover for this. An accident cover can be an add-on to the policy, since it will not cover health issues unrelated to the accident. The best course of action is to pick a comprehensive plan. Although the premiums might be higher, it will take care of the bills for both accidents and illnesses, giving you complete peace of mind.
Pet insurance works like regular health insurance for humans. These policies also have an annual coverage limit, deductibles and reimbursement rate for every service. So, overall, they are not difficult to understand and use. The above-mentioned pet plan disadvantages are easily manageable since you can choose riders for the exclusions.
How to Buy the Right Pet Insurance in India
The ideal pet insurance is one where you invest a reasonable premium to get adequate coverage. You should know that the premium is calculated based on the type of plan, your pet’s breed and age, annual coverage limit and deductibles. Try to buy when your pet is young, even as young as 6 months, since they are less prone to serious diseases and premiums tend to be lower due to this. Compare quotes from different insurers and pick one that is budget-friendly yet fulfils your needs.
Pet insurance benefits all pet parents in multiple ways and is the ultimate safeguard for your furry friend’s overall well-being. Separate insurance policies are available for dogs and cats, since they have different health issues. So, you can also choose a specific plan accordingly.
