Pet Insurance for dogs: list of Best in India 2024

Pet parents always love and care for their furry paws so here we have selected some of the best pet insurance for dogs to get an all-around protection.

A little about “pets” and why we need them

“Pet” is any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately. The reasons for owning pets are endless. Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that stroking an animal can reduce your stress levels? If you spend around 15 minutes petting your favorite animal, your body will release the natural “feel good” hormones: oxytocin, prolactin and serotonin. It also lowers your ‘cortisol’(the body’s natural stress hormone) & blood pressure by 10%. On the other hand, animals will give you unconditional love, loyalty companionship as well as emotional support.

Therefore, it is our responsibility to think about their happy and long life and take the necessary steps for this. The best option is opting for a “PET INSURANCE”. So, we can protect these amazing furry fellas when they are sick or injured and to give them the best medical attention, it is important to avail a good “PET INSURANCE”. Primarily the number of people keeping dogs is higher so our focus is more on pet insurance for dogs but the same scheme is available for other pets too.

Introduction to pet insurance for dogs

The “PET INSURANCE” policy is one of the latest insurance schemes introduced in India. 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 against various veterinary expenses that can be incurred to treat their pet in illness or any accidental situation.

A pet insurance is an insurance contract between pet owner & insurance company, which provides the latter the optimum coverage for the veterinary expenses related to their pet’s medical treatment.

Why pet insurance for dogs and other small animals?

Considering how expensive it is to maintain our pet’s overall health and well-being (it’s approximately ₹ 10,000 to ₹ 80,000 annually in India) in modern days. Out of these, the vet fees and subsequent medical and surgical costs are the highest if your pet is in need of such type of care. 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.

_{BEST PET INSURANCE PROVIDING COMPANIES IN INDIA 2024}

Presently, pet insurance for dogs and other small pets is a very incipient market especially in India as compared to rest of world. There are a few insurance providers which are offering full- fledged insurance coverage. Generally, there are two kinds of pet insurance coverage available in India: Dog Insurance Policy & Cat Insurance Policy. Both relating policies can be customized as per your needs and requirements and insures your loving pets to always stay healthy without any financial distress.

Here is the list of following companies:   

1). Bajaj Allianz Pet Insurance Policy

1. Eligibility Criteria:

Coverage can be given to domesticated Dogs and Cats which are at least 90 days of age old and belonging to below mentioned breeds.

• Breeds Covered: Pets of Indigenous Origin, Cross-breed and Exotic breeds are covered under the Policy.
• Age Group:

Pet Type               Breed Type              Entry Age     Exit Age

Dogs               Small, medium & large          3 Months-7 Years     10 Years

Dogs              Giant                             3 Months-7 Years     6 Years

Cats                    All Breeds                        3 Months-7 Years     12 Years  

Key Features:

• The minimum range of the plan starts from just ₹315.
• Discount of 5% in case you opt for RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tagging of your pet.
• Cumulative bonus of 10% for each claim-free Policy per year subject to a maximum of 50% in the aggregate (applicable only under Sections 1, 5, and 6 when opted on a yearly or long-term basis)
• Discount of 5% in case you provide fitness/ complete medical report (not older than 30 days) of your pet which is older than 4 years at the time of first policy inception/ renewal.
• Annual/ Short Term/ Long Term Policy Period options.
• Covers Surgery expenses and Hospitalization costs for the treatment of the Dogs and Cats.
• Covers failure of vaccinations as well.
• Covers advertising cost in case of Theft/Straying of the insured Dog & Cat.
• 30-day Survival Period in case of Terminal Diseases Cover.
• Covers Third Party Liability of the pet owner with Sum Insured options up to ₹1500000.
• No mandatory Section, You can choose any cover.
• Cover Available on Individual and Group Basis.

Policy Period:

Policy Period of pet insurance for dogs and cats can be chosen as per options provided by company against respective covers. A Short Term Policy can be opted for a period of less than 1 year. Long term cover can be opted for up to a maximum of 3 years.

Coverage Available For:

Surgery expenses, Hospitalization cover, Mortality benefit cover, Terminal disease cover, Optional Coverage, Out-patient expenses, Third Party Liability Cover, Theft/Lost/Straying Cover.

Cancellation of Policy:

This Policy may be cancelled by the Insured at any time by giving at least 15 days written notice to the Company. Provided there has been no Claim under this Policy, the Company will refund premium according to the Company’s short-period scale.

2). The Oriental Insurance Pet Insurance for dogs

 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

• This policy typically provides pet insurance for dogs and cats.
• The pet should be within a certain age range, usually between 8 weeks to 8 years.
• Pets should be properly vaccinated and should undergo regular health check-ups.

 KEY FEATURES:

• Maximum Annual Coverage of up to ₹ 50,000.
• Covers the death of the pet due to an accident or illness.
• Reimbursement of expenses incurred for surgeries due to accidents or diseases.
• Coverage for hospitalization expenses arising from an accident or illness.
• Covers legal liability arising from damage or injury caused by the pet to third parties.
• Compensation if the pet is stolen or lost.
• Covers boarding costs if the owner is hospitalized.
• Coverage for vaccination and tick treatment.
• Partial and permanent disability of any nature, rabies, canine distemper and leptospirosis not covered.

3). Future Generali India pet insurance for Dogs

Eligibility Criteria:

• Small, Medium & Large Breeds
• Entry age – 3 months onwards up to age of 10 years
• Exit age – 10 years

 Coverage Available For:

Surgery and hospitalization cover, OPD cover, Add-Ons Covers – Terminal illness cover, veterinary on call (home visits), lost and stolen pet cover, emergency pet minding cover, long-term care cover, funeral cost cover, third-party liability cover.                     

4). NEW INDIA ASSURANCE pet insurance for dogs

Eligibility Criteria:

Dogs of indigenous origin, cross-bred and exotic breeds

 Entry age– 8 weeks to 8 years.

Key Features:

• Maximum average coverage of ₹50,000.
• Basic premium is 5% of the sum insured.
• Pet insurance for dogs covers them against death due to accidents or illness.
• Insured to bear 20% of the claim amount as co-payment.
• Valuation is done by the qualified doctors at the time of buying the policy.
• Lost or stolen dogs covered.
• Liability for personal injuries and damage to property.
• Other pet insurance schemes offered by the company are: sheep and goat insurance, cattle insurance, pig insurance, camel insurance, poultry insurance, duck insurance, rabbit insurance, elephant insurance, inland fish insurance, etc.

5). GO DIGIT PET INSURANCE for dogs

A. Eligibility Criteria:

• The policy covers Dogs & Cats.
• The pet should be within a certain age range, usually between 8 weeks to 8 years.

B. Key Features:

• Covers annual routine healthcare such as vaccinations, deworming, tick treatment and minor illness.
• Provides customized and flexible insurance policies for pets.
• Covers the cost incurred due to accidental injuries and death.
• Complementary health check-up of the insured pet.
• Option to opt tele-consultation of any registered vet.
• No coverage for pre-existing diseases.
• Coverage Available For:

Hospitalization Cover, Specific Illness Cover, Critical Illness Cover, OPD Cover, Chronic Illness cover, Recovery and Complimentary Care, Expense for External Aid & Appliances, Mortality Cover Section, Theft or Straying Cover, Third Party Liability Cover

Optional Cover:

Complications during and after giving birth, Behavioral illness Cover, Dental Treatment Cover, Insect/Vector-Borne Diseases, Telemedicine Cover, Cremation Expenses, Lost Animal Advertising Cost

Cancellation:

If the user of Go Digits pet insurance for dogs is unhappy with the pet insurance policy, they can choose to cancel it.

• Renewal:

The pet insurance for dogs can be renewed anytime the pet parents like it to.

6). PAWTECT INDIA PET INSURANCE POLICY

Vetina is acting as a Group Manager to enable customers to enroll for insurance coverage arranged through Go Digit General Insurance Limited.

1. Eligibility criteria:

All pet insurance options can be opted once the dog is between 12 weeks and 6 years old, and the policy can be renewed until the pet is 10 years old.

Coverage Available For:

Critical Illness, Specific Illness, OPD cover and Third Party Liability.

• Key Features:
• Initial waiting period 30 days for illness.
• Pre-existing diseases covered after 4 years waiting.
• 20% co-pay on OPD claims .
• 2 years specific illness waiting.
• Third Party Liabilities upto opted sum insured.
• Freedom to choose the four sum insured options ( 40k, 60k, 100k & 150k )      meeting your budget and protection needs starting from ₹40,000 upto ₹1,50,000
• Choose from three medical care options Red, Yellow & Blue ribbons.

Coverages                           Red             Yellow           Blue

Specific illness cover                                 yes                           yes                           yes

Critical illness cover                                  yes                            no                            yes 

OPD cover                                                no                            yes                           yes

Third-party liability cover                         yes                            yes                           yes

Benefits of Buying Pet Insurance for dogs and other small pets

• 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.
• 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 you 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.

PET INSURANCE INCLUSIONS

• Death due to accident
• Illness contracted while the policy is in effect
• Treatment expenses
• Accident while in transit (via rail, air or road)
• Loss/ theft of the pet
• Incapacitation
• Accidental poisoning
• Third Party liability

PET INSURANCE EXCLUSIONS

• Willful or malicious injury to the pet.
• Injury or illness arising out of neglect or unskillful handling of the pet.
• Loss or injury due to war, foreign hostility, revolution, rebellion, military upheaval, etc.
• Death due to rabies, distemper, Viral Hepatitis, Viral Enteritis, Leptospirosis, etc.
• Illness that has been contracted prior to taking the policy.
• Any cosmetic or elective surgery which is not related to injury will not be covered.
• Any surgery related to grooming is excluded.
• Any dental surgery not caused by an accident or injury will not be covered.
• Surgeries done due to pregnancy or whelping are not covered.

Claim Settlement Procedure For Pet Insurance for Dogs

Claims settlement process under pet insurance for dogs 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)

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