What Is Pet Cover?

Pet cover pays towards your vet bills when your dog or cat is sick or injured.
Pet Insurance is similar to a medical aid for pets.

Cats and dogs can get any illness humans can, and they can receive the same kinds of treatments (eg. surgery, x-rays, blood tests, medicines, chemotherapy).

Pet Medical Aid in South Africa

As a loving pet owner in South Africa, you understand the importance of providing the best possible care for your animal companion. Just like humans, pets can face unexpected illnesses and injuries that require costly veterinary treatment. This is where pet medical aid comes in, offering financial security and peace of mind when your furry friend needs it most.

Pet medical aid, also known as pet insurance, is a policy that helps cover the costs of veterinary care for your pets. These plans typically work by reimbursing you for a portion of eligible veterinary expenses, making quality care more accessible and affordable. With numerous options available in South Africa, understanding the basics of pet medical aid can help you make an informed decision for your pet’s health.

What Does Pet Medical Aid Typically Cover?

The coverage offered by pet medical aid plans can vary significantly. However, common inclusions often include:

  • Accidents: Covers injuries sustained due to accidents, e.g. being hit by a car.
  • Illnesses: Treatment for a wide range of illnesses, from infections to chronic conditions.
  • Surgery: Coverage for surgical procedures necessary to treat illnesses or injuries.
  • Hospitalization: Costs associated with your pet’s stay at the veterinary clinic.
  • Medication: Reimbursement for prescribed medications.
  • Diagnostic Testing: Coverage for tests like X-rays, blood work, and ultrasounds.

Benefits of Pet Medical Aid

Investing in pet medical aid offers numerous advantages:

  • Financial Security: Protects you from unexpected veterinary bills.
  • Peace of Mind: Allows you to focus on your pet’s recovery without the financial burden.
  • Access to Quality Care: Enables you to provide your pet with the best treatment.
  • Budgeting: Helps you budget for your pet’s healthcare expenses.

COMMON PET PROBLEMS AND TREATMENT COSTS

DOGS

GASTROENTERITIS

  • Consultation R1000 (minor cases)
  • Drip (if very dehydrated) R2500 R3000
  • X rays to check for a foreign body R1500 – R2000 (additional)

FOREIGN BODY (surgical removal from intestinal tract)

  • Consultation, drip, surgery, 3 days in hospital: R12000
  • Treatment at a Specialist vet: R25000 – R30000

PARVOVIRUS (risk to unvaccinated dogs)

  • Treatment: R12000 – R15000 (hospitalisation, drips, medication etc.)
  • Treatment at a Specialist vet: R50000 (1 week in hospital)

BROKEN NAIL/DEWCLAW

  • Consultation, sedation to clean/remove nail, bandages, medication: R2500 – R3000

CATS

KIDNEY FAILURE (older cats)

  • Consultation and diagnostic blood tests: R1500
  • Full diagnostic work up: R2500 – R3000
  • Drip set up and urine tests: R5000 – R6000
  • Treatment at a Specialist vet: R20000 (in depth testing)
  • May need ongoing chronic medication/special diet.

SNUFFLES (‘Flu’ in cats)

  • Consultation, blood test, medication, nebulising: R1500

BITE WOUNDS/ABSCESSES

  • Open wound Consultation, cleaning, medication, ‘Cone of shame’: R1500
  • Lancing and draining under sedation: R2500 – R3000

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT (not requiring surgery)

  • Consultation to check/stabilise: R2500 – R3000
  • Hospital stay for observation: R5000

PET COVER OPTIONS

Your policy covers injury, illness and accidents, and you can claim for any combination up to your total limit for the year.

You can choose an Annual Limit from R5000 to R65000.

10% Multi-Pet Discount for 2 or more pets.

Pets must fall into the following age ranges:

  • Small Dogs: 8 weeks – 11 years old
  • Medium Dogs: 8 weeks – 10 years old
  • Large Dogs: 8 weeks – 8 years old
  • Cats: 8 weeks to 10 years old

Pet Cover & Limits

Claims may not exceed the following limits:

  • Emergency Boarding Kennel/Cattery Fees: R2000 / Year
  • Complementary Treatment: R2000 / Year
  • Behavioural Benefit: R4000 / Lifetime
  • Cruciate Ligament Surgery: 1 Per Year
  • Back Surgery: 1 Per Year
  • Clinical Pathology: R3600 / Year
  • Consultations: R3000 / Year
  • Histopathology: R1500 / Year
  • Hospitalization Stay: R3600 / Year | R1500 / Claim
  • Injection Fees: R1200 / Year
  • In-Theatre Materials: R4200 / Year | R1500 / Claim
  • Medicines: R2500 / Year | R750 / Claim
  • Surgery: R3800 or max 35% of Annual Limit / Claim
  • Tissue Scans: R3500 / Year
  • Out-Of-Theatre Materials: R1800 / Year
  • Radiology: R3000 / Year | R1050 / Claim
  • Fluoroscopy: R3000 / Year | R1050 / Claim
  • Digestive System Claims: R10000 / Year
  • Skin Condition Claims: R10000 / Year
  • Cancer Claims: R15000 / Year

Optional Pet Cover

The following optional benefits can be included:

1. Pet Wellness Benefit

  • Titer Testing
  • Vaccinations / Injection Fees
  • Consultation Fee
  • Heartworm Prevention
  • Faecal Test
  • Deworming
  • Microchip
  • Tick / Flea Prevention
  • Nail Trim
  • Elective Sterilisation / Neutering
  • Dental Check-Up

2. Dental Benefit

Includes dentistry not as a direct result of an Accident or Illness.

3. Hereditary Treatment

Limited cover for Vet Fees resulting from a Hereditary Defect.

4. Search & Rescue Benefit

Reasonable cost of advertising locally and for the recovery of your pet if it is lost or stolen.

5. Public Liability Cover

This option is only available for dogs and covers you against any loss or damage your pet may cause if you are held legally responsible for their actions.

EXCESSES

  • 10% minimum R150 per claimed event
  • R50 for non-chronic medicine
  • R100 for chronic medicine

WAITING PERIODS

  • 1 Month for Illness
  • 1 Month for Accidents
  • 6 Months for Cruciate Ligament Surgery

INSTANT ONLINE QUOTES:

Apply Online