Before we get into the specific waiting periods that apply to our OnePlan Pet Insurance plans, let’s answer another question first. Why do insurance companies apply “waiting periods” at all? Short answer - to prevent them from being left open to people looking to take out insurance cover with the specific intention of claiming for pre-existing conditions.

Imagine for a second you found out that your dog has a serious congenital heart condition (a condition they were born with). It’s panic stations because you suspect the Vet bills could be pretty steep. You rush off to find pet insurance in the hope that some of the expense might be shared by an insurer.

Would it be fair to ask the insurer to cover this condition from policy inception?

Maybe down the line, but not off the bat.

If every insurer took on risk like this, they would be bankrupt and wouldn’t be able to provide a service for policyholders, looking to claim as and when the need arises.

In short - A waiting period starts as soon as you take out your policy and is the amount of days that need to pass before you can claim.

At OnePlan we understand that you don’t take out insurance cover so you can sit out months on end waiting to be able to use the benefits of the policy.

We have 5 waiting periods you need to be aware of if you take out a policy with us:

• Vet visits (30 days)
• Routine care (30 days)
• Kennel cover (3 months)
• Accident cover (none)
• Illness cover (3 months)

And below are conditions that are not covered for the first 12 months:

Dogs

• Congenital conditions (a disease your pet is born with)
• Hereditary conditions (inherited condition from your dog’s parents)
• Pre-existing conditions (existed before your policy started)
• Spaying/Neutering due to a specific medical condition
• Addison’s disease, Diabetes, Arthritis, Heart/Kidney disease
• Liver/Pancreas disease, Skin Conditions, Tumours/masses (growths)
• Hip/femoral head, knee, elbow, shoulder and/or ligament surgery (also limited to 1 event per year)

Cats

• Congenital, Hereditary or Pre-existing conditions
• Spaying / Neutering due to a specific medical condition
• Bladder stones, Bladder surgery, Diabetes, Hyperthyroidism
• Pancreatitis, Renal Failure, Tumours/masses (growths) Lymphoma, Eye Surgery

Are you in the market for pet insurance?

Leave your details below and we will get back to you.

Until next time.

The Petinsurance.co.za Team