MSIG launches one-of-akind insurance for pets
KUALA LUMPUR: With owners placing so much love, care and value into their pets, MSIG Insurance (Malaysia) Bhd (MSIG Malaysia) has decided to help out by creating a new Pet Insurance which offers caring owners a range of benefits which will help them look after their pets in the event of illness or accident.
Specific benefits include reimbursement of veterinary bills; reimbursement of purchase price or adoption fee when an accidental injury or illness results in the death of the pet, reimbursement of burial or cremation costs, reimbursement of advertising or reward expenses in the event that a pet goes missing, reimbursement for boarding kennel and cattery fees in the event that owner is hospitalised.
According to its press statement, the insurance also provides third party coverage, providing assistance in the event that a pet is responsible for accidental damage or injuries to third parties.
Pet owners are given a choice of three plans with varying levels of cover at different price points (RM200, RM350 & RM500 per annum), allowing owners to select the plan that is most appropriate to their needs and circumstances.
“Everything our customers hold dear has their heart in it – and this is particularly true when it comes to pets – but there is currently a lack of pet insurance options in Malaysia. This is why we created MSIG Pet Insurance, providing loving owners with the reassurance that they have the necessary financial assistance to ensure that their pets are cared for properly,” said MSIG Malaysia chief operating officer Jennifer Hsu.
MSIG Pet Insurance is currently only available for microchipped cats and dogs aged between 12 weeks to nine years. The microchip is around the size of a grain of rice and contains a unique scannable identification number which can be checked on a database by concerned parties should they find a stray pet – thereby making it much more likely that lost pets can be reunited with their owners.
The process of microchipping is simple and inexpensive, and is highly recommended by animal charities such as the Society of Protection of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
In order to be eligible for the insurance, pet dogs also need to be appropriately licensed and not a member of any breed that is restricted or banned by the Government or Public or Local Authorities.