Why insuring your furry friend is a must in pet-friendly Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a city of animal lovers which is a trend that’s set to continue growing. According to one report 38% of households in the city own a pet, with the majority of them being cats and dogs. And recently, with the government’s new pet-friendly policies, our furry friends are welcome in more locations than ever – even on public transport and in certain restaurants.

If you are a new pet owner, or an existing one for that matter, you should ensure that your little companion is protected against illness and accidents. Not only will doing so give you peace of mind, pet insurance can help stave off expensive bills from the vet if your beloved fur-ball gets sick. In this article, we’re going to take a look at how MSIG’s Happy Tails® Pet Insurance plan can offer help, whether you have a cat or a dog – or both!

If you are a dog owner, then this part is specifically for you. Happy Tails® Pet Insurance has been designed to offer different levels of protection depending on your circumstances. Three tiers of coverage – Standard, Premier and Ultimate – provides flexibility on how much you can claim per year. This ranges from over HK$19,000 per year, to more than HK$68,000 per year, leaving you to decide which tier best suits your financial circumstances.

For cats, the maximum amount payable each year is fixed at HK$27,500, providing a financial safety net if you are required to pay for surgery and inpatient expense.

Just as it is for humans, surgery for pets can be expensive. When it comes to cats and dogs, common procedures include removing tumours, repairing fractures and removing foreign objects that have been swallowed – the latter of which are often categorised as emergency surgery. Depending on the procedure required, costs can quickly mount putting you under considerable financial pressure.

Here’s an example of how Happy Tails® Pet Insurance can help. Mr Chan has a two-year-old poodle. During a routine check-up, the vet notices a lump on the poodle’s back, under the skin. Tests are carried out and, unfortunately on further investigation, it is found to be early stage cancer.

Mr Chan has taken out the Ultimate tier for dogs, which has a surgical benefit of up to HK$55,000. The total bill for the procedure, including cancer excision surgery, pathological testing and prescribed drugs, comes to HK$50,000. Furthermore, it is recommended that the poodle undergoes two rounds of chemotherapy, costing HK$6,000, which is covered under the plan’s Chemotherapy Benefit. As Mr Chan’s poodle was enrolled before the age of 4, he only needs to pay 20% of the total HK$56,000 cost, meaning Mr Chan only pays HK$11,200 for the entire procedure, including chemotherapy, saving him a significant amount of money.

Happy Tails® Pet Insurance also covers a range of hereditary and congenital conditions*, specifically dysplasia, luxating patella, glaucoma, cherry eye, intervertebral disk disease and hip dysplasia, giving you greater assurance about the wellbeing of your pet.

What’s more, if you don’t need to make a claim, you can even enjoy a no-claims discount of up to 15% off your premium each year from the third year and subsequent renewals. So give your beloved cat or dog the protection they deserve, and get out there to enjoy vibrancy of Hong Kong’s pet-friendly spaces and infrastructure, together!

^{*For pets younger than 6 years at the Policy Commencement Date, the listed hereditary and congenital conditions will be covered after a 12-month waiting period from the Commencement Date of the Policy, provided such conditions are not Pre Existing Conditions. For details, please refer to the policy document.}

To find out more about Happy Tails® Pet Insurance:
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Read more:
Pet-friendly Hong Kong: a new era for pet ownership in the city?
Why cats and dogs really are good for your health
Understanding pet insurance: A journey towards ensuring the health of your beloved companion