Pet Insurancefrom R80 a month
Cover your dog or cat for unexpected vet bills. No vet network restrictions — use any registered South African vet. We compare 5 trusted providers and connect you with the right plan.
Species we can insure
Dogs
All breeds — subject to exclusions
Cats
All breeds — subject to exclusions
Birds
Dotsure only — parrots, African Greys
Select providerRabbits
Dotsure only — specialist plan
Select providerWhich level of cover do you need?
All plans cover accidents immediately — no waiting period for injuries. Premiums shown are indicative for a medium-sized adult dog.
Accident Only
From ~R80/month (indicative, medium dog)
Covered
- Injuries from accidents (fractures, lacerations, swallowed objects)
- Emergency vet consultation for accidental injury
- Surgery required due to accidental injury
- Road accident injuries
Not covered
- Illness of any kind
- Cancer treatment
- Hereditary or congenital conditions
- Dental illness
- Routine care (vaccinations, deworming)
Accident + Illness
From ~R149/month (indicative, medium dog)
Covered
- Everything in Accident Only
- Illness treatment — infections, digestive, respiratory, skin
- Cancer diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
- Hereditary conditions (declared at inception)
- In-hospital accommodation and nursing
Not covered
- Routine care (vaccinations, deworming)
- Dental illness (covered on higher plans)
- Cosmetic or elective procedures
- Pre-existing conditions (excluded)
Comprehensive
From ~R249/month (indicative, medium dog)
Covered
- Everything in Accident + Illness
- Dental illness (tooth root abscess, periodontal disease)
- Orthopaedic conditions (cruciate repair, hip problems)
- Annual vaccinations and booster shots
- Annual deworming and tick/flea prevention
- Prescription diet (limited annual benefit)
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
Not covered
- Pre-existing conditions (excluded)
- Breeding, pregnancy, whelping costs
- Cosmetic procedures (ear cropping, tail docking)
- Intentional harm or neglect
Breed exclusions
Certain breeds have a higher risk of specific hereditary conditions. Pet insurance providers in South Africa may apply exclusions for these breeds or decline cover entirely. You can still apply — the provider will confirm your specific situation during the application process.
| Breed | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Pitbull Terrier (all types) | May be declined or have specific exclusions depending on provider |
| Boerboel | Some providers require higher premiums or apply exclusions |
| Rottweiler | Hip dysplasia and orthopaedic exclusions common |
| English Bulldog / French Bulldog | Respiratory and orthopaedic conditions may be excluded |
| German Shepherd | Hip dysplasia exclusion common if declared at application |
| Great Dane | Bloat (GDV — gastric dilatation-volvulus) exclusion common |
⚠️ Always declare your pet's breed at application. Non-disclosure of breed can void your policy at claims time. If your breed is not listed above, it is most likely accepted without restrictions. The provider will confirm.
Entry age and ongoing cover
Age limits apply to new applications only. Once your pet is insured and you maintain continuous cover, it continues for life regardless of age. This is why getting cover early is strongly recommended.
| Species | Maximum entry age | Cover continues |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs (standard breeds) | 8 years | For life (if continuously insured) |
| Dogs (large/giant breeds) | 6 years | For life (if continuously insured) |
| Cats | 10 years | For life (if continuously insured) |
| Birds (Dotsure only) | 5 years | For life (if continuously insured) |
| Rabbits (Dotsure only) | 5 years | For life (if continuously insured) |
Waiting periods
All pet insurance plans have waiting periods for certain conditions. Accident cover is always immediate.
| Condition | Waiting period |
|---|---|
| Accidental injury | Immediate — no waiting period |
| General illness (new conditions) | 30 days |
| Orthopaedic conditions (cruciate, hip dysplasia) | 6 months |
| Cancer (oncology) | 30 days |
| Dental illness | 6 months |
| Hereditary conditions (declared at inception) | 6 months |
| Pre-existing conditions | Excluded (not covered at all) |
Compare your options
We connect you with the right provider. They conduct their own assessment and confirm your premium directly. All premiums are indicative.
Dotsure
Market leader — best all-round coverage
From (indicative)
🐕 Dogs: ~R199/month
🐈 Cats: ~R149/month
accident + illness · adult
🐾 Species:Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits
📅Dogs up to 8 years entry · Cats up to 10 years entry
🚨 Accidents:Immediate
🏥 Illness:30 days
✨ Key differentiator: Bilateral conditions covered
If one cruciate ligament is claimed, the other is also covered — unlike most competitors who exclude it.
- Market leader — largest pet insurer in SA
- Bilateral conditions covered (unique: both legs covered if one claimed)
- App-based claims — most straightforward claims paid within 5 days
- Exotic pets accepted: birds, rabbits on specialist plans
PetSure (Hollard)
Hollard backed — exceptional financial security
From (indicative)
🐕 Dogs: ~R229/month
🐈 Cats: ~R169/month
accident + illness · adult
🐾 Species:Dogs and cats
📅Dogs up to 8 years entry · Cats up to 10 years entry
🚨 Accidents:Immediate
🏥 Illness:30 days
✨ Key differentiator: Fixed excess
Most pet insurers charge a percentage of the claim. PetSure charges a fixed rand amount — you always know what you will pay.
- Backed by Hollard Insurance — one of SA's largest insurance groups
- Strong oncology (cancer) cover — one of the best in the market
- Fixed excess structure — no percentage-based surprises at claims time
- Specialist referrals (cardiologist, oncologist) on premium plans
Budget Pet Insurance
Old Mutual Insure backed — trusted SA brand
From (indicative)
🐕 Dogs: ~R149/month
🐈 Cats: ~R109/month
accident + illness · adult
🐾 Species:Dogs and cats
📅Dogs up to 8 years entry · Cats up to 10 years entry
🚨 Accidents:Immediate
🏥 Illness:30 days
✨ Key differentiator: 24-hour helpline
Old Mutual's 24-hour emergency helpline means you always have someone to call when your pet needs urgent care — even at 2am.
- Underwritten by Old Mutual Insure — South Africa's most trusted financial brand
- 24-hour emergency helpline — assistance day or night
- Competitive entry-level pricing — among the most affordable in SA
- Cancer covered on Standard and Comprehensive plans
MiWay Pet Cover
Annual benefit rollover — unused cover carries forward
From (indicative)
🐕 Dogs: ~R169/month
🐈 Cats: ~R129/month
accident + illness · adult
🐾 Species:Dogs and cats
📅Dogs up to 8 years entry · Cats up to 10 years entry
🚨 Accidents:Immediate
🏥 Illness:30 days
✨ Key differentiator: Annual benefit rollover
Most pet insurers reset your annual benefit on your policy anniversary. MiWay carries unused benefit forward — you get more value in high-cost months.
- Annual benefit rollover — unused annual benefit carries to the following month
- Digital-first: full policy management via MiWay app (iOS and Android)
- Competitive across all three cover tiers
- Strong MiWay brand recognition from car and home insurance
Oneplan Pet
Pay before you pay — vet paid at checkout
From (indicative)
🐕 Dogs: ~R159/month
🐈 Cats: ~R119/month
accident + illness · adult
🐾 Species:Dogs and cats
📅Dogs up to 8 years entry · Cats up to 10 years entry
🚨 Accidents:Immediate
🏥 Illness:30 days
✨ Key differentiator: Pre-payment model
Traditional pet insurance pays YOU back after you pay the vet. Oneplan pays the VET while you are still there. No need to have cash on hand for unexpected bills.
- Pay before you pay — Oneplan Visa card loaded with benefit BEFORE you leave the vet
- No waiting for reimbursement — vet is paid at checkout using your Oneplan card
- Pre-authorise via the Oneplan app — typically approved in minutes
- Unique model in SA — no other pet insurer does this
Frequently asked questions
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No. Pre-existing conditions — any illness or injury that existed before the policy start date — are excluded by all South African pet insurance providers. This is why early cover is recommended: get insured when your pet is young and healthy, before conditions develop.
My breed is on the exclusion list — can I still get cover?
Yes — you can still apply. Breed exclusions typically mean that the specific conditions associated with that breed (e.g. hip dysplasia in German Shepherds) are excluded, not that the pet is declined entirely. The provider will confirm your specific situation at application.
My dog is older than 8 years — can I still get cover?
The age limit applies to new applications only. If your pet is already insured and you maintain continuous cover, it continues for life regardless of age. If your pet is over the entry age limit, some providers may still offer limited plans — confirm directly at application.
Can I use any vet in South Africa?
Yes. None of the five providers we work with restrict you to a specific vet network. You can use any registered South African veterinarian.
How do I claim?
For most providers: visit your vet, pay the invoice, then submit a claim via the provider's app or website with your vet invoice and clinical notes. Dotsure and MiWay process straightforward claims within 5–7 business days. Oneplan is unique — they pay the vet before you leave, so there is nothing to claim afterwards.
What is the Oneplan "pay before you pay" model?
Oneplan works differently to every other pet insurer. Instead of paying the vet yourself and waiting for reimbursement, you pre-authorise your visit via the Oneplan app. Once approved, the benefit is loaded onto your Oneplan Visa card and you pay the vet with the card — before you leave the waiting room. No cash needed. No waiting for your money back.
Are vaccinations covered?
Annual vaccinations and routine care (deworming, tick/flea prevention) are only covered on Comprehensive plans. Accident Only and Accident + Illness plans do not include routine care. Always check what is included on your specific plan before applying.
What is bilateral condition cover and why does it matter?
A bilateral condition is one that affects both sides of the body — like cruciate ligament injuries (both knees) or cataracts (both eyes). Most pet insurers cover the first claim but exclude the second ligament or eye, calling it a "pre-existing condition". Dotsure explicitly covers bilateral conditions — making them unique in the SA market for joint-related claims.
Compare pet insurance options today
Free, no-obligation comparison. We connect you with the right provider — they conduct their own assessment and confirm your premium directly.
See my pet insurance optionsINSURELOANSA provides a referral service for pet insurance products. We connect consumers with licensed South African pet insurance providers — we do not underwrite pet insurance and do not give advice on specific policy selection. All premiums shown are indicative and subject to the provider's own assessment based on species, breed, age, and health declaration. Waiting periods apply. Pre-existing conditions are excluded by all providers. Breed and age eligibility must be confirmed at application.