Let’s be honest, when it comes to pet insurance a lot of pet parents have a lot of questions. From wondering whether your furry best friend is covered for life, to figuring out how claims and excess work, it can all feel a little overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve rounded up the most common questions we hear from pet parents across South Africa. So grab a coffee, give your dog a belly rub, and let’s clear things up.
Is my pet covered for life?
One of the biggest worries pet parents have is what happens as their pets get older.
The good news? With Oneplan, once your pet is covered, they can stay covered for life. That means you can continue protecting your pet well into their senior years, giving you peace of mind when they need care the most.
Read more about cancer cover with Oneplan Pet Insurance.
Is excess applicable?
Yes, like most insurance policies, pet insurance includes an excess.
An excess is the amount you contribute when claiming. It helps keep your monthly premiums manageable while protecting your annual cover limit.
Here’s the silver lining: your excess can decrease over time. For example, hospital claims submitted within the first three months of your policy may carry a higher excess than claims submitted after 12 months on cover.
Bonus tip: Excess isn’t set in stone
At Oneplan, flexibility matters.
That’s why optional add-ons like Excess Buster are available. This add-on can help waive the excess applicable to qualifying in-hospital claims.
You can also add Pet Med Booster, which increases your Pet Med Savings cover limit while including the benefits of Excess Buster too.
Please note that pricing and benefits may change over time, so it’s always best to check the latest plan details directly with Oneplan.
Can I upgrade my pet insurance plan later?
Absolutely.
Life changes, and your pet’s needs can change too. Whether you want more cover or different benefits, Oneplan allows you to request a plan upgrade with one calendar month’s notice.
Even better? You can manage this directly through the Oneplan App under the My Cover section.
Discover our different plan options.
One thing to keep in mind: upgrades may be affected if your pet is over the applicable age limit. If that happens, a Oneplan care consultant can help you explore the best available option.
How does hospital cover work?
Hospital cover is designed for serious situations where your pet needs to be admitted to hospital for treatment.
The goal of hospital cover is to help prevent loss of life by covering qualifying emergency and hospital-related events.
If a treatment doesn’t meet the hospital admission criteria, it may instead fall under casualty cover — depending on your selected plan.
How do hospital emergency claims work?
When it comes to hospital claims, authorisation is required before payment can be processed.
This means you’ll need to submit:
- A completed claim form
- Invoices
- Receipts for treatment received
The claim is then assessed according to your policy terms and conditions to determine whether it qualifies under hospital admission cover.
But here’s where Oneplan does things differently…
Using your Oneplan Claim Card and the Oneplan App, you can access funds before visiting the vet, helping reduce financial stress during emergencies.
What qualifies as an accident event?
An accident is defined as an unforeseen event that happens at a specific place and time and requires immediate treatment.
For a claim to qualify under accident cover, it must meet the policy’s accident definitions and criteria.
It’s also important to know that some conditions, including certain degenerative conditions — may have waiting periods or co-payments attached.
If an event is linked to an illness rather than an accident, it may instead be processed under illness cover.
Which vets can I use?
Here’s a tail-waggingly good answer: you can visit any vet you choose in South Africa.
Oneplan does not limit you to a specific network of veterinarians. That means your pet can continue seeing the vet they know and trust.
Final Thoughts
Pet insurance shouldn’t feel complicated.
At Oneplan, the goal is to make pet healthcare simpler, more flexible and easier to manage, whether that means lifetime cover, flexible plan upgrades or freedom to choose your own vet.
And if you still have questions? The Oneplan team is always ready to help you and your four-legged family members navigate your pet insurance journey with confidence. Get your quote today.
Your Pet Insurance Family,
Oneplan.
