COVERAGE ‘Pawrents’ can get their pets insured for up to P30,000 to cover serious illnesses and health emergencies even during travel. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
BDO Insure, a wholly owned subsidiary of BDO Unibank, is going to the dogs—and cats.
The company is not getting into dire straits. Rather, it is pursuing its commitment to respond to emerging trends and client needs.
Maria Theresa Tan, general manager of BDO Insure, points out that like human members of their families, “pawrents” want to make sure their pets’ health and well-being are given the proper attention.
Ed Ramirez, BDO Insure senior assistant vice president, says the Philippines tops Asian countries in dog ownership with 67 percent of Filipino households having at least one canine member. In terms of cat ownership, the Philippines ranks second with 43 percent of families having at least one feline pet.
BDO Insure understands that just as humans find their own health and medical expenses a matter of grave concern, paying for the medical bills of furry members can take a sizable chunk of the family budget.
BDO Insure has launched the Pet Dog and Cat Insurance to respond to this emerging but still hardly recognized client need. The insurance package, Tan says, is “affordable and customizable.”
Pawrents can get their pets insured for up to P30,000 to cover serious illnesses and health emergencies even during travel.
“We understand that pets are important members of the family, and we want to help pet owners provide them with the best possible care,” Tan says.
Customized insurance coverage, Ramirez says, is easy to get. Pawrents can register their fur babies online and mix and match packages adapted to the pets’ and their humans’ lifestyle. Insurance packages can cover accidental injuries, even snake bites and torn nail, among others; illnesses, including ear infections and arthritis; and testing, diagnostic and other procedures.
QUALIFICATION Pets between the ages of 3 months and 6 years are eligible for insurance.
Pawrents may opt for reimbursements of medical expenses and add international travel emergency medical treatment to their packages, for instance.
Ramirez says pawrents could simply go online and, in a few minutes, have their fur babies insured. “Total affordability,” he says, is a major advantage of the insurance product, with a base price of only P560 for a full year’s coverage against accidental injuries, including bone fractures, poisoning or burns. The coverage is renewable every year until the pet reaches the age of 12, provided it has been continuously insured under a similar Pet Owner’s Personal Accident Insurance Policy since the age of 6 years.
Insurance coverage ranges from P15,000 to P30,000 per accident (up to five incidents) under plans A to D.
For the initial insurance coverage, pets should be between the ages of 3 months and 6 years to be eligible. The pet to be insured must be owned for companionship, not for commercial use like racing, breeding and law enforcement.
If a pet dies before the full insurance amount is spent, the balance of the insurance coverage cannot be claimed. BDO Insure explains, “This is not a pet life insurance plan.” Accidental death or essential euthanasia benefit may be claimed if such is included in the insurance package.
Veterinarians who attend to sick or injured pets do not have to be accredited by BDO Insure. As long as they are licensed to practice veterinary medicine, procedures they perform and medical care they provide pets that are specified in the insurance package will be paid.
To apply, pawrents must provide their pet’s immunization/vaccination record book/pet book, veterinary clinic, veterinarian’s name and license number and photos.