Whilst we do not sell
pet insurance, Gold
Coast Vet Surgery
thoroughly recommends
the concept of pet
insurance. Pet
insurance is the
equivalent of Private
Health Insurance for
ourselves, only it is
even more relevant
since there is no
Medicare for animals,
and pet insurance,
unlike most private
health, covers the cost
of medications and all
treatment, not only
hospital
treatment.
For you as a pet owner
there are numerous
benefits to having your
pet insured, but most
of all it boils down to
a key benefit of peace
of mind - knowing that
whatever happens, your
pet will be able to get
the very best treatment
available, irrespective
of cost. It is a
fantastic budgeting
tool – with a fixed
excess policy, you can
know that
the most you’ll ever
have to pay at the vet
for an accident or
illness is $100 – the
insurance company will
pick up the rest! Now
isn’t that a good idea?
Well that’s exactly
what Pet Insurance can
do for you.
But from our
perspective too, we
love it when a pet is
insured. It means that
we can get on and do
the very best that the
patient needs without
having to be concerned
with having to try cut
corners to save the
owner a few dollars. We
know that we can get on
to do the very best job
we’ve been trained to
do and that makes our
job more rewarding and
a successful outcome
more likely. Frequently
it also helps us to
avoid difficult
decisions. Sadly far
too many pets are
denied life saving
treatments, and are
euthanased instead,
because the costs are
beyond what their
owners can afford. With
Pet insurance decisions
regarding treatment are
no longer complicated
by financial
restrictions. Your
primary concern becomes
the health of your pet,
not the cost of their
care.
While most people
insure their car, home
and contents, did you
know that you are
actually three times
more likely to claim on
a pet insurance policy
than a car or home
policy? As we are not
licensed financial
advisers, vets DO NOT
sell pet insurance, nor
receive commissions,
but are very happy to
help inform you of the
options. Pet insurance
not only covers
treatment in general
practice, but referral
to specialists too, as
well as alternative
therapies such as
acupuncture and
chiropractors.
So what should you look
for in a Pet Insurance
Policy?
Many home and contents
policies now have an
optional extra for pet
cover. While this is
certainly better than
nothing, the cover is
often very limited.
Frequently it is
restricted to accident
only and does not cover
sickness. A specialised
Pet Insurer is far
better. Key points to
look for
are:
● Is the animal
Covered for
Life? Many
companies will stop
cover once the animal
becomes elderly. Also
some problems are
ongoing, eg Diabetes –
Does the company keep
paying year after year,
or do they only pay out
for 12mths and then
exclude that
problem?
● Look for a Fixed
Excess eg you pay
the first $100 and the
insurance company pays
the rest. Most
companies calculate the
excess as a percentage
of the total – (30% of
a $5000 bill is still a
lot of money!) but
there are policies
available with a fixed
flat excess.
● A policy without
breed specific, or
genetic,
Exclusions, is far
preferable.
● Look out for
Sub-limits –
it’s far better to have
a policy without any
restrictive
sub-limits.
If you don’t already
have it, we would
really urge you to
consider getting
private health
insurance for your
pet. For a small
monthly cost it can
make a huge difference
to their care and your
peace of mind. If you
consider that every 6
seconds a pet owner is
faced with a vet bill
of over $1000 – can you
afford not to have you
pet insured?
Gold Coast Vet Surgery
is happy to endorse
Petplan
insurance. After
thoroughly reviewing
the details of various
policies available, and
our experience with
client’s claims, we
believe that Petplan
policies offer
fantastic cover for
your pets. They are a
specialist pet insurer
with an excellent track
record with handling
claims. Petplan is the
largest pet insurer in
the UK where Pet
Insurance is automatic
for most pet owners.
And now Petplan have
been in Australia since
2004. Some of the key
points that they offer
are: Covered for
Life, Fixed Amount
Excesses and No
Sub-Limits.
Why Choose Pet
Plan?
● Petplan pays 100% of
the Vet bill - Less a
fixed $100
excess.
(Most other insurers
only pay 70% or 80%
& some also apply
an excess)
● They cover Congenital
& Hereditary
conditions.
(Most other pet
insurers exclude
these)
● They do not have
Breed Specific
exclusions
(Most other pet
insurers exclude
certain conditions by
breed)
● Their premiums are
the same for all breeds
of dogs.
(Most other pet
insurers charge extra
for specific
breeds)
● Petplan allow up to
12 months for
submission of
claim
(Most other pet
insurers only allow 60
days to submit
claims)
● They do not have Sub
Limits
(Most other pet
insurers have sub
limits on what they pay
for accident, illness,
drugs, hospitalisation,
x-rays etc. With
Petplan, total amount
claimable in any one
year, or any one claim
(whichever comes
first), is up to
$15,000 (depending on
plan
selected)
● Petplan cover
alternative treatments
and
therapies
(Most other pet
insurers will not cover
homeapthic,
chiropractic,
accupunture or
behaviour modification.
Petplan will cover
these providing it is
Vet
recommended).
● They cover certain
Special Dietary
Foods
(Most other pet
insurers will not cover
special foods, Petplan
will cover special
foods to dissolve
bladder stones &
crystals.)
● Petplan will cover
the full range of
medical or surgical
problems your pet might
encounter, including
Paralysis Tick
treatment which
many other insurers
exclude.
For more information
you can click on the
link on the right for
even more detailed
information and an
online quote, or you
can contact us at the
surgery on 5538 5909.
Alternatively you can
reach Petplan directly
on 1300 738
225.
Disclaimer: This
information is of a
general and informative
nature only. We
recommend that you
discuss your personal
circumstances with your
financial
adviser.