Now It's Raining Cat And Dog Pet Insurance Plans

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday November 23, 2004

By NEIL KEENE

MARILYN Monroe once had her legs insured for $1 million.

Boscoe Goman's pins wouldn't fetch quite that much, but they are still worth a pretty penny.

Boscoe, a 14-month-old Alaskan malamute, is one of an increasing number of Hunter dogs and cats to be covered for a host of maladies and misfortunes by tailor-made pet insurance policies.

The canine's Fassifern owners, Craig and Simone Goman, pay a monthly premium that covers both Boscoe and his sister Ellie for broken limbs, skin complaints, internal problems . . . the list goes on.

"It's like insurance for yourself it gives you that peace of mind," Mr Goman, a freight train driver, said yesterday.

"I think a lot of people don't take dogs to vets because they know it's going to cost them."

Since the start of last month, the RSPCA has targeted Newcastle and Hunter residents with television and radio advertisements for its own pet insurance, administered by Petsure Australia.

Up to 20 per cent of the proceeds from premium payments which range from $15 to $37 a month are returned to the RSPCA to promote animal welfare.

Petsure managing director Shaun Leveton said benefits varied from a maximum $5500 payout for accidental injury to an $8000 limit for injury and illness, plus bonus "routine care cover" for tooth cleaning, council registration and other minor costs.

"I think pet owners today want to be able to budget for unexpected veterinary bills," he said.

"With increasing technology in the veterinary arena, vets can now provide more sophisticated and complex treatment to make sure a pet recovers, and with that comes the associated cost."

According to the RSPCA website, two out of three pets require veterinary attention each year.

Petsure's various policies cover about 20,000 pets, whose owners made a total 27,000 claims worth $2.4 million in the past 12 months.

Mr Leveton said dogs and cats were so far the only household pets that could be covered, though work was under way to offer insurance policies for horses.

But it is bad news for pet owners whose loved ones have feathers or fins. Budgies, goldfish and other animals are not covered.

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

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