Pet insurance in the UAE

Keep the smile on your pet’s face.

One of the most asked questions from expats travelling to Abu Dhabi and the UAE is – “can I buy pet insurance in the UAE?”

And up until on the December last year, the answer to the question was a firm ‘no’.

However, one company, on 6 December 2021 introduced the first ever pet insurance policies to the UAE.

Ready to keep the smiles on your doting dogs and precious kittens’ faces?

Team Yalla answers all your questions on obtaining pet insurance in the UAE.

 

 

Who offers pet insurance in the UAE?

 

On 6 December 2021, yallacompare launched its new insurance policies for pets based in the UAE.

 

 

Is the pet insurance available throughout the UAE?

 

Yes, yallacompare insures your furry friends across all seven emirates.

 

 

Is yallacompare’s pet insurance compliant with Sharia Law?

 

Yes, all policies offered by the insurance company are compliant with Sharia Law.

 

 

What does the pet insurance in the UAE cover?

 

Yallacompare offers UAE pet owners three different packages from which to choose; bronze, silver or gold. Vet fees and medical treatments are covered up to AED 10,000, AED 20,000 or AED 30,000.

The silver and gold packages also offer third party liability cover, advertising costs and rewards and euthanasia cover. The gold package also covers preventative treatment up to AED 400.

The pet insurance sees direct billing at a network of 10 vets across the UAE with 20 per cent co-payment, as well as the option to claim back costs at other vets.

 

 

What is considered a vet fee?

 

The vet fees that are covered by the pet insurance include advice, an examination, consultation, nursing or care provided by a vet, prescribed medication, surgery, tests or x-rays.

 

 

Are there any exemptions that are not covered?

 

The exemptions associated with the pet insurance offered by yallacompare include but not limited to are pregnancy, pre-existing medical conditions and behaviour, mental or emotional disorders.

 

 

How much is pet insurance in the UAE?

 

The price is dependent on the breed and age of your pet.

 

 

When does the pet insurance cover start?

 

The cover begins from day one however, pet owners cannot make a claim within the first two weeks (14 days) of the policy start date for illness or the first 48 hours of the start date for any accident.

 

 

Does the pet insurance cover any pre-existing condition?

 

No. Pre-existing conditions will not be covered in the yallacompare’s insurance policies. Also claims for congenital or hereditary conditions will not be covered. These include Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, Brachycephalic Gastrointestinal Syndrome (BGS), enlarged tongue (macroglossa), elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, nasal fold surgery, skin fold surgery, stenotic nares and soft palate resection.

 

 

Is there an age limit for pet insurance cover?

 

Your dog or cat can be insured up until the day before their 11th birthday. After their 11th birthday, yallacompare will withdraw its insurance cover.

 

 

What pets are covered by the insurance?

 

More than 350 breeds of dogs are covered and all breeds of cats are covered. All dogs must be vaccinated against Bordetella, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and rabies. Cats must be inoculated against feline calicivirus, feline distemper, feline leukaemia and rabies.

All pet owners must arrange and pay for a yearly dental examination for their pet.

 

 

Does my pet need a microchip?

 

In order to obtain pet insurance in the UAE you must have your pet microchipped.

 

 

How can you pay for the pet insurance?

 

Yallacompare pet insurance can be paid in monthly instalments or in one lump sum. However, those who select the monthly option must pay the full annual premium before submitting a claim.

 

 

Can you cancel your pet insurance?

 

Yes, you can terminate your pet insurance and you will be refunded your remaining months. However, a AED 100 administration fee will be charged and you will be only entitled to refunds if you have not submitted a claim during your cover period.

 

 

How long does it take for claims to be processed?

 

Yallacompare aims to settle all claims on pet insurance in the UAE within 10 to 14 working days.

 

For more information on pet insurance in the UAE, call 800 266 7273 or visit yallacompare

 

Image source Canva

Matt Cassidy

When he is not hunting for the latest piece of Abu Dhabi news, Matt is ticking off his UAE bucket-list experiences (although he does love to take a break to test out the fine restaurants and bars of the capital). An armchair sports lover, he is on a personal mission to attend every sporting event in the UAE to make out for most likely missing the big one in Doha in November.