Just like how an insurance policy is the one of best options when we, humans, want to safeguard the medical and other needs of our near and dear ones, the same pet insurance does for your furry babies.
Pet insurance is a kind of insurance policy that can be bought by any individual who owns a pet and would like to have adequate protection for them against various veterinary expenses which can be incurred in order to treat their pet, in event of any accident or illness.
Presently, pet insurance is a very nascent market in India, as compared to other countries. But owing to increasing demand of pet ownership in India, there are few insurance providers which are offering full-fledged insurance coverage to pet animals such as dogs, cats or any other pet.
Here’s a guide which talks in depth about the best insurance plans for your pets in India and also the other crucial details pertaining to pet insurance policy, which you should know, if you have a pet.
Best Pet Insurance Plans In India
- Minimum range of plan starts from INR 315.
- Pets of indigenous origin, cross-bred and exotic breeds are covered under the policy.
- Coverage available for:
1. Surgery expenses.
2. Hospitalization cover.
3. Mortality benefit cover.
4. Terminal disease cover.
5. Optional Coverage:
6. Out-patient expenses.
7. Third Party Liability Cover
8. Theft/Lost/Straying Cover - 5% discount in case the dog is radio frequency identification (RFID) tagged.
- Medical tests for pet dogs are not mandatory even at higher ages.
- A co-pay of 10% is applicable under this section on each and every claim.
- Coverage is allowed for pet’s vaccination.
- Policy period is up to six months.
Bajaj Allianz Pet Dog Insurance Policy
Maximum Annual coverage
Up to INR 50,000
Entry Age
3 month- 7 years
Coverage Available For
Only Dog
Maximum Annual coverage
Up to INR 50,000
Entry Age
3 month- 7 years
Coverage Available For
Only Dog
Key features:
- Coverage available for:
1. Death and funeral expenses.
2. Terminal illness cover
3. Surgery and treatment cost.
4. Pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses. - Optional add-ons:
1. Third-party liability.
2. Lost and stolen cover.
3. Doctor on call.
4. Emergency pet minding cover.
Future Generali India Dog Health Insurance
Maximum Annual Coverage
Depending upon breed and size of dog.
Entry Age
6 months to 10 years
Coverage Available For
Only Dog
Maximum Annual Coverage
Depending upon breed and size of dog.
Entry Age
6 months to 10 years
Coverage Available For
Only Dog
Key features:
- Dogs of indigenous origin, cross-bred and exotic breeds are covered.
- Valuation is done by a qualified veterinary doctor at the time of buying the policy.
- Basic premium is 5% of the sum insured.
- Dogs are insured against death due to accidents or illness.
- Insured to bear 20% of the claim amount as co-payment.
The New India Assurance Dog Insurance Policy
Maximum Annual Coverage
INR 50,000
Entry Age
8 weeks to 8 years.
Coverage Available For
Only Dog
Maximum Annual Coverage
INR 50,000
Entry Age
8 weeks to 8 years.
Coverage Available For
Only Dog
Key features:
- Insured dogs must be suitably identified by one of the following methods: Tattooing, nose print or colored photograph.
- In the case of pups, one color photo is required, taken at 6 to 8 months age.
- Normal physical identification marks and breed, sex, age etc. should be clearly described via veterinary certificate and proposal form.
- Covers death due to any accident or illness.
- Partial and permanent disability of any nature, rabies, canine distemper and leptospirosis not covered.
- Coverage for vaccination, tick treatments.
The Oriental Insurance Dog Insurance
Maximum Annual Coverage
Up to INR 50,000
Entry Age
8 weeks to 8 years.
Coverage Available For
Only Dog
Maximum Annual Coverage
Up to INR 50,000
Entry Age
8 weeks to 8 years.
Coverage Available For
Only Dog
Key features:
- Covers annual routine healthcare expenses such as vaccination, deworming, tick treatment and minor illnesses.
- Provides customized and flexible insurance policies for cats and dogs.
- Covers the cost incurred due to accidental injuries and death.
- Complimentary health check-up of the insured pet.
- Coverage available for hospitalization expenses, surgery expenses, funeral cost and specialized therapies such as chemotherapy, laser treatment, among others.
- Option to opt for teleconsultation of any registered vet.
- Optional coverage for third-party liability, where your pet cause any kind of harm to third-party person or property.
- No coverage for pre-existing diseases.
Digit Pet Insurance Policy
Maximum Annual Coverage
INR 50,000.
Entry Age
8 weeks to 8 years.
Coverage Available For
Dogs and Cats
Maximum Annual Coverage
INR 50,000.
Entry Age
8 weeks to 8 years.
Coverage Available For
Dogs and Cats
Key features:
What Is Pet Insurance?
Considering how expensive it is to maintain our pet’s overall health and wellbeing in today’s world, a pet insurance is a must if as a pet owner you don’t face any sudden financial difficulties and continue to protect your pet in every possible way.
A pet insurance is an insurance contract between insurance company and a pet owner, which provides the latter the optimum coverage for the veterinary expenses related to their pet’s medical treatment and thus ensuring that your cat or dog stays in the finest of health.
Generally, there are two kinds of pet insurance coverage available in India: Cat Insurance and Dog Insurance. Both these policies can be customized as per your needs and requirements and ensures your loving pets to always stay healthy, without causing you any sort of financial distress.
What Are The Benefits of Buying Pet Insurance?
- Ensures financial safety for pet parents especially when their pets fall sick or need any immediate medical treatment.
- Helps you to keep your pet’s health condition safe and sound without worrying about hefty medical regular check-ups. Certain plans also provide free annual health check-ups.
- Provides special benefits to the pet owner, especially when your pet is lost or stolen, or has caused damages to a third-party or property.
- Provides your coverage for the special and modern treatments which can be otherwise very expensive.
- Certain plans also provide global coverage, which helps you when you are traveling abroad with your pet and cover for any mishaps which might occur during your trip
Pre-Requisite of A Pet Insurance Policy
It is important that the insured cat or dog is required to be registered with Municipal Corporation or deemed local government authority or certified Kennel Club of India, or micro-chipped by the policyholder. Apart from filing the insurance proposal form, the insured has to submit the photograph of the insured dog as per specification:
- Face Photo.
- Photo clearly showing the birthmark.
- Photo from both right and left side.
Documents Need To Be Submitted While Buying Pet Insurance Policy
- Fill up the form and provide the details relating to your pet.
- To help identify your pet, the insurance company needs color photos as specified in the above section.
- The policyholder needs to declare that their pet has received all their vaccinations on time.
- At times, the policyholder might need to submit diagnostics test results, such as circulatory blood count (CBC), urine test or chest X-Ray.
- If one is choosing a Sum Insured basis pedigree lineage, they will also need to provide a pedigree certificate from Kennel Club of India (KCI).
Claim Settlement Procedure For A Pet Insurance Policy
Claims settlement process under pet insurance policy can be done via two ways:
Cashless Claim Settlement Process
- Notify the network veterinary hospitals at least 72 hours before any planned medical treatment or within one day before, in case of any emergency.
- You are required to share the copy of E-Cards along with your ID proof at veterinary hospital and get the pre-authorization form.
- Submit duly-filled and signed pre-authorization form to the veterinary hospital.
- Once all the formalities are done, your insurance company will settle the bills directly with the hospital.
Reimbursement Claim Process:
- You can avail reimbursement facilities from any of the veterinary hospitals within India of your own choice. The main difference is that the insured has to pay for all the bills upfront to the hospital.
- Once the payment is done, then the original bills and expenses can be submitted to the insurance company.
- This kind of facility is not cashless and thus the insurance company reimburses the expenses within the span of 30 minutes, once you submit the bill on time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will any pet insurance policy provide coverage for their vaccinations?
Generally, the pet insurance policies provide coverage for vaccination expenses. However, it totally depends on your pet insurance policy as it differs from one insurer to insurer.
Can I get a similar kind of pet insurance advantages if I have adopted a street dog?
Yes, you certainly can. However, the insured dog must be registered with Municipal Corporation or deemed local government authority or certified Kennel Club of India, or micro-chipped by the policyholder.
What are key factors which might affect my pet insurance premium?
The factors such as your pet’s breed, age, size and the type of plan and coverage you pick decides your pet insurance premium.
Can I buy the pet insurance policy online?
Yes. Just like any other insurance policy one can simply buy a pet insurance policy online or digitally. Such policies can be purchased within minutes as it is a less paperwork and hassle-free process.
Will I be compensated if my pet gets stolen or lost under a pet insurance policy?
Yes, generally an insurance company pays a part of sum insured coverage or compensate fully, when your pet gets stolen or lost due to any unforeseen circumstances. However, not all insurance companies provide it as a basic benefit. So, maybe you have to buy optional add-on covers for claiming such benefits.
Will I be compensated if my pet gets stolen or lost under a pet insurance policy?
Yes, generally an insurance company pays a part of sum insured coverage or compensate fully, when your pet gets stolen or lost due to any unforeseen circumstances. However, not all insurance companies provide it as a basic benefit. So, maybe you have to buy optional add-on covers for claiming such benefits.
