Pet insurance emerges as cushion as vet bills cross lakhs

Pet owners in India are turning to insurance as veterinary bills for surgeries, hospitalisation and long-term treatment can run into lakhs of rupees. Pronita, a pet parent in Hyderabad, spent ₹1.2 lakh treating a rescued cat with FIP, while another cat’s surgery and paralysis treatment cost ₹60,000, ₹70,000. Dr. Nabat Lakhani, a Hyderabad-based veterinarian, said pet X-rays cost ₹1,000 each compared to ₹200, ₹500 for humans, and blood tests for pets can cost ₹2,000 or more.

Pet insurance products, offered by companies such as Bajaj General Insurance, cover surgery (up to ₹3 lakh), hospitalisation (up to ₹50,000) and OPD treatment (up to ₹30,000). However, policies mostly work on a reimbursement basis, with claims processed in 15, 20 days. Co-founder of Petsfolio Sravanthi said rising veterinary costs are making insurance relevant, especially for medium and large breeds prone to hip dysplasia and accidental injuries. Pet parent Mukesh spent ₹40,000 treating his puppy for Parvo and noted that awareness of pet insurance remains low even among pet communities.