Compare premiums and pay attention to item limits
Besides comparing pet insurance premiums on leaflets, you should also carefully compare the upper limit of individual items/benefits. Double-check whether you'll need to co-pay with the insurer or pay for the initial cost if you've exceeded your upper limit.
Exclusions
As with health insurance for humans, get to know the policy exclusions before buying insurance. Pre-existing conditions, congenital diseases, certain breeds of cats and dogs, and pets without chip implants are some of the more common pet insurance exclusions.
Waiting period
Most pet insurance plans have a waiting period. This means you must wait for a specific period of time before you can claim compensation, even after purchasing pet insurance. Generally, the waiting period for pet insurance in Hong Kong is one month. That said, when it comes to certain policies (e.g. orthopedic diseases, chronic kidney disease, cancer, and genetic diseases), this can last up to six months.
No claims discount
Haven't made any claims for years? Your insurance company will likely reward you with a discount as you renew your policy for next year. Keep in mind that not all pet insurance in Hong Kong offers this discount.
Claim procedures
The simpler the claim procedure, the better. After all, who has the time to sort through complicated procedures when your furkid is sick and requires medical assistance?
Learn about your insurer's required documents, the general time it takes to process claims, and whether the procedures are convenient before securing a plan.
