What is Pet Insurance?

Pet Insurance or Pet Medical Aid covers you financially in the event that your pet is injured or becomes ill. As healthcare for animals has improved over the years, so to have the costs of procedures and medication increased. Pet Insurance provides cover for unexpected expenses that may otherwise be very costly.

What can Dog Insurance and Cat Insurance cover?

  • Accidental injury resulting in broken bones or open wounds.
  • Illness caused by an upset stomach, skin conditions, ear infections, cancer, or diabetes.
  • Operations on wounds caused by accidental injury.
  • Gastric torsion, also known as stomach twisting, where the animal has to undergo an operation to rectify it.
  • Tumour removals, such as cancerous tumours.
  • Hip replacements.
  • Financial cover for kennels, catteries or pet sitters in case an owner is unexpectedly hospitalised.
  • Specialised diet prescribed by the veterinarian to assist in clearing a medical condition.
  • Cover towards preventative care such as vaccinations; spaying; flea, tick and worm control; sterilisation; and teeth cleaning.


What does Dog Insurance and Cat Insurance not cover?

  • Grooming.
  • Pregnancy and delivery of puppies.
  • Behavioural problems.
  • Procedures classified as not mandatory such as dew claw removal or skin fold resection.
  • Heredity illness such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia or entropion.
  • Preventable diseases such as flu or worms.
  • Dental procedures such as removing rotten teeth and gingivitis.
  • Pre-existing conditions that showed clinical signs before insurance was taken out.
  • Standard food.
  • Tick paralysis.


Keep in mind that the cover listed above will depend on the chosen Pet Medical Aid provider. Not all companies provide the same cover, which is why it is advisable to compare quotes from multiple Pet Medical Aid providers and to check the relevant documentation.

If you’ve recently taken ownership of a cat, dog or both, compare Pet Insurance quotes online today to find the right policy to suit your budget, as well as the potential medical needs of your pets.