Picking a pet insurance plan can be tricky. If you are the proud pet parent of an older pet, we’ll walk you through the basics and give you our top suggestions for choosing a suitable plan.
It’s no secret that the older our pets get, the more likely they are to get sick. Dogs experience the health risks that come with aging in the same way that we as humans have our health decline the older we get (no matter how many supplements we take or doctors we visit). There is no fighting the battle of getting older.
And whilst your gorgeously grey pet might seem to spend more time lounging around and showering you in cuddles, making you feel as though their health is not all that bad, you never know when the next vet bill might whack your wallet.
When to get pet insurance
The best time to get pet insurance is when your pet is young and in good health. This is because having pet healthcare cover in place will not only help protect you from surprise costs, but it also means that you will not be subject to waiting periods for pre-existing conditions that are typically present in an older pet.
What’s more, having pet insurance with cover for vet visits and routine care can significantly improve your pet’s overall health and perhaps even extend their life.
Of course, not everyone gets pet insurance at the right time (i.e., when our pets are in good health), and in many cases, pet parents only purchase a pet insurance plan once their eyes are opened to the expensive costs of veterinary care. So, if you find yourself with an older pet in your family, here’s what you need to know.
Pet insurance and age limits
Now, if you are thinking that perhaps your pet is too old for pet insurance, note that there are certain age limits that apply. With Oneplan, pets must be older than 8 weeks and younger than 9 years if they are a large dog breed, 10 years if they are a medium dog breed, and 11 years if they are a small do breed or if they are a cat.
Pet insurance for your older pet: If your pet is younger than 9 years old
Most vets categorise pets as seniors when they are around 7 or 8 years old. However, this also depends on the breed of your pet.
If your precious pet is younger than nine years old but is starting to look a little grey in the face, then you are likely to be in for a few upcoming vet bills.
Increased veterinary care
In general, older pets need more check-ups at the vet and are more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses such as cancer, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, joint or bone disease – to name a few.
If you know your pet is getting older, then the best thing you can do to prolong your pet’s life and save your bank account is to invest in a comprehensive pet insurance plan.
Senior pets require two vet visits a year, as opposed to younger dogs who only need one. This is so your vet can detect and treat any underlying concerns (i.e., cancer) before they develop into more serious and more expensive issues.
Senior pet exams are more in-depth compared to those for younger pets. Check-ups typically include bloodwork, dental care, and special checks to detect any physical signs of disease.
Knowing this, you’re probably starting to get an idea of how vet visits will significantly increase as your pet ages. This is why we recommend choosing a pet insurance plan that includes cover for vet visits and wellness care such as vaccinations and dental cleanings.
Read this: Pet Insurance Policy Talk: Vet Visits vs Routine Care
Which is why we recommend choosing our… Drum roll, please…
Pet Super Plan
The basics of this plan
This plan is perfect for senior pets as it includes amazing benefits and cover for routine care and vet visits.
From only R450 a month for your dog and R430 a month for your cat, this plan includes cover for:
- Accidents – Up to R58,000
- Illnesses – Up to R58,000
- Vet visits – Up to R1,650 per visit (4 visits permitted each year)
- Routine care – R900 per annum
- Kennel fees – If something happens to you and you are hospitalised and cannot look after your pet
Note: Costs mentioned here are representative of the date this article was written. For updated pricing, please visit the Oneplan website.
Check this out: Chronic care for pets: Caring for your pet with a chronic illness
Boost your routine care coverage
With the Pet Primary, Hospital, Classic and Pet Super Plans, you can boost your routine care benefits when you purchase the Pet Med Booster add-on.
With this, for only R90 extra a month on the Pet Super Plan, you will receive an additional R900 per annum in cover for routine care after a waiting period of 30 days (starting from the date of purchase).
The great part? The Pet Med Booster automatically includes the Excess Buster, which means you can waive hospital excess fees.
Learn more: Does Pet Insurance Include Pet Medical Savings?
Pet insurance for senior pets: If your pet is older than 9 years old
So, what happens if you have an older pet who is over the age limit? Can you still purchase a pet insurance plan? Of course you can!
The Pet Accident plan, priced from only R80 a month for your cat or your dog and gives you up to R8,500 in accident cover every year (this plan excludes cover for illnesses).
Although you cannot claim for day-to-day events such as vet visits or wellness care, you can still rest easy knowing your older pet is covered when it matters most. And the best part? With Oneplan, your pet is covered for life. Meaning we can all grow old together — which, if you ask us, is pretty pawfect.
Your Pet Insurance Family,
Oneplan
