Hong Kong Pet Insurance Comparison 2023 – Coverage vs. Price | 10Life
Estimated reading time 10 minutes
10Life Team
09 Jan 2023
10Life knows how much your beloved pet means to you as some of us are pet owners too! It can be a whirlwind of emotions when your dog or cat becomes ill or has an accident. Pet insurance can provide protection for your furry child.
In this article 10Life compares pet insurance from Blue Cross, China Taiping, FWD, MSIG, OneDegree, PetbleCare, and Prudential – where the difference in coverage can be enormous.
Pet Insurance provides medical coverage
As pet owners we understand how heart-breaking it can be if something happens to our cat or dog. Here are some key items that pet owners should be aware of:
- Go for routine medical check-ups and vaccinations.
- Bring them to a vet for general consultation if they are unwell. As they are not able to speak, the vet would usually perform some lab tests such as blood/ urine, and in some cases advanced diagnostics such as x-ray, ultrasound.
- Prescribed medications may be needed.
- In more serious cases, hospitalisation and/or surgery may be required.
- If cancer is diagnosed, chemotherapy may be performed.
Over the years you may take your furry child to numerous routine check-ups, vaccinations, and veterinary consultations. As they age, the risk of getting serious illnesses also increases. What are the pet insurance products available and how do they compare?
Table 1: Coverage Comparison (HKD)
| Plan | Medical Coverage Annual Limit |
Veterinary Consultation |
Prescribed Medication |
X-ray and Lab tests | Surgical Fee | Room and Board | Chemotherapy | |||
| Blue Cross LovePet Insurance Plan A |
$60,000 | $12,000 | $60,0001 | $6,000 | $15,000 | |||||
| China Taiping Taiping Pet Care Plan III |
Refer to limits of coverage items |
$1,000 per visit 10 visits per year |
$500 per visit 10 visits per year |
$6,000 per visit $27,000 per year |
$2,000 per day 10 days per year |
$4,000 | ||||
| FWD Pet Insurance Plan III |
Refer to limits of coverage items |
$750 per visit 20 visits per year |
$3,750 | $27,000 | $340 per day 12 days per year |
Not mentioned | ||||
| MSIG Happy Tails |
Cat Plan | $27,500 | Not Covered | Medically necessary surgery $20,900. This Limit is shared with room and board expenses ($2,090) and post surgical treatment benefit ($1,100) |
$6,600 | |||||
| Ultimate Plan (Dog) |
$68,750 | Not Covered | Medically necessary surgery $55,000. This Limit is shared with room and board expenses ($5,500) and post surgical treatment benefit ($2,750) |
$13,750 | ||||||
| OneDegree Pawfect Care |
$80,000 | $80,0001 | Cash benefit of $10,0002 |
|||||||
| PetbleCare Superior Plan |
$68,000 | non-surgical treatment $8,000 |
$60,000 | Included in non-surgical treatment |
||||||
| Prudential PRUChoice Furkid Care Plan B |
$70,000 |
$800 per visit 20 visits per year |
$10,000 | $70,000 | $500 per day3 14 days per year |
$10,0004 $5,000 per visit |
||||
| Note:
1. Blue Cross and OneDegree: including ultrasound.
2. OneDegree: 5he lump sum cash benefit is in addition to the annual coverage amount. The benefit can only be claimed once during a pet's lifetime for his/her first cancer diagnosis as long as it is not a pre-existing condition.
3. Prudential: for a confinement of no less than 12 consective hours.
4. Prudential: or heart diseases treatment.
5. The above products do not cover regular medical check-up and vaccination.
6. In alphabetical order by company name | ||||||||||
Focus on the benefit structure
For dogs, some pet insurance policies impose sub limits, while MSIG and OneDegree have an overall total limit on the sum of multiple items, which may provide more flexibility when making a claim. Although MSIG and OneDegree have higher annual limits (>HK$68,000), MSIG mainly covers surgery costs. Hence pet owners should focus more on the benefit structure rather than purely the total coverage amount when comparing pet insurance.
In addition, most of the plans cover chemotherapy. Blue Cross coverage of HK$15,000 are among the highest, whilst OneDegree provides a one-off cancer cash benefit of HK$10,000.
For cats, most of the insurance companies offer the same coverage as for dogs, except for MSIG where the annual limit and sub-limit on specific items are lower compared to dogs.
Premium and co-payment can increase with age
Most of the pet insurance products require co-payment, where the policyholder needs to cover a percentage of the claim amount out of pocket. Hence usually the lower the co-payment the better.
Table 2: Price and Terms Comparison (HKD)
Assuming insured is Shiba Inu (dog)/ Shorthair (cat)
| Plan |
Issue Age |
Last Coverage Age |
Annual Premium |
Co-payment |
No Claim Discount |
|||
| Shiba Inu (age 1) |
Shiba Inu (age 8) |
Shorthair (age 1) |
Shorthair (age 8) |
|||||
| Blue Cross LovePet Insurance Plan A |
6 months to 8 years |
Guaranteed renewal up to 13 years (note 1) |
$2,965 |
$6,009 |
$2,965 |
$6,009 |
Age 0 - 4: 20% Age 5 - 8: 30% Age 9 or above: 40% |
✓ |
| China Taiping Taiping Pet Care Plan III |
6 months to 8 years |
12 years | $6,000 |
$6,000 |
$6,000 |
$6,000 | 0% |
✕ |
| FWD Pet Insurance Plan III |
6 months to 8 years |
Not mentioned | $4,780 | $4,780 | $4,780 | $4,780 | 0% | ✕ |
| MSIG Happy Tails |
16 weeks to 8 years |
Not mentioned | $2,553 | $5,957 | $1,213 | $2,830 | Enrolled before Age 4: 20% Enrolled before Age 7: 30% Enrolled before Age 9: 40% |
✓ |
| OneDegree Pawfect Care |
13 weeks to 11 years |
No age limit | $3,077 |
$5,932 |
$3,077 |
$5,932 |
Network: 10% Non-network: 30% 13 weeks to 11 months: All HK registered vets50% |
✕ |
| PetbleCare Superior Plan |
8 weeks to 8 years |
13 years |
$4,320 | $4,800 | $4,320 | $4,800 | Illness: 30% Accident $300 |
✓ |
| Prudential PRUChoice Furkid Care Plan B |
13 weeks to 8 years |
Not mentioned |
$3,823 | $6,595 | $3,823 | $6,595 | 30% |
✕ |
| Note:
1. Blue Cross: the policy renewal for insured pet above age 13 is subject to underwriting. Blue Cross claims if it decides to cease offering or suspend this plan, it will endeavour to transfer the insured pet to another available insurance plan for pet. 2. Premium rates may vary by breed type. 3. In alphabetical order by company name. |
||||||||
As shown on table above, while China Taiping and FWD offer 0% co-payment, there are sub limits on individual items which means the policyholder may still need to pay out of pocket if the cost exceeds any sub limits.
Blue Cross and MSIG both have co-payment of 20% (< age 4) to 40% (>age 9). In other words, the coverage reduces and the policyholder is paying more out of pocket as the pet ages.
The co-payment for OneDegree depends on whether you visit network (10%) or non-network (30%) vets. However, for pets from 13 weeks to 11months old, up to 50% can be reimbursed.
Premium rates may vary by age and breed. Some products offer no claim discount.
As long-term protection, price is a key factor in pet insurance. The premium rates may vary by age and breed. Table 2 above shows the price comparison examples for 2 dogs (Shiba Inu, aged 1 and 8 years) and 2 cats (Shorthair, aged 1 and 8 years). Most insurance companies charge higher rates for higher ages, and MSIG and OneDegree offer different rates for dogs and cats. Only China Taiping and FWD offers the same price regardless of the age and breed.
In addition, Blue Cross, MSIG, PetbleCare products offer no claim discount. The discounts rate are 5%, 10%, and 15% for no claim period of 1 year, 2 consecutive years, and 3 consecutive years.
Pet owners may want to get their loved ones covered as early as possible. PetbleCare has the lowest issue age of 8 weeks among all plans, while Blue Cross and FWD start at 6 months. Note that most plans have limitations on renewals. While some allow renewal up to age 12 or 13, OneDegree does not have an age limit on renewal.
For MSIG, it is mandatory that the insured pet undergoes an enrolment clinical examination prior or within 30 days from the commencement date of the policy. The examination result must be produced upon the first claim. Failure to submit by then may render the policy void.
Is microchip required?
Most insurance companies require the pet to have microchip. Currently only Blue Cross and OneDegree do not require microchip in a cat, as they accept other pet identity documents such as vaccination records.
Table 3: Microchip Requirement in Pet Insurance
| Plan |
Is microchip required at policy application? |
|
| Dogs | Cats |
|
| Blue Cross LovePet Insurance Plan A |
Yes | Not a must - can be replaced by vaccination record or other relevant medical report. |
| China Taiping Taiping Pet Care Plan III |
Yes | Yes |
| FWD Pet Insurance Plan III |
Yes | Yes |
| MSIG Happy Tails |
Yes |
Yes |
| OneDegree Pawfect Care |
Yes |
Not a must - can be replaced by official document with the pet’s name, such as vaccination records, veterinary receipts, medical reports, or a pedigree certificate . |
| PetbleCare Superior Plan |
Yes |
Yes |
| Prudential PRUChoice Furkid Care Plan B |
Yes |
Yes |
| Note: in alphabetical order by company name. | ||
Dangerous dog species may have difficulty getting insurance. Owners should be aware of the third-party liability.
Most pet insurance plans provide at least HK$1,000,000 in third-party liability such as injury or property damage caused by the insured pet. However, insurance companies usually do not offer coverage for dangerous dogs such as Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazillier, Japanese Tosa and Pit Bull Terrier.
Although OneDegree offers coverage for all species of dogs and cats, their product does not have third-party liability coverage.
Other common benefit items: emergency boarding, advertising expenses and funeral services
If the policyholder is hospitalised for more than the designated consecutive days, Blue Cross, China Taiping and Prudential will reimburse the cost of pet sitting expenses. The highest amount is China Taiping (HK$5,000, but with excess of 5%)
When looking for a stolen or lost pet, many owners may advertise. China Taiping, FWD, and PetbleCare products cover related expenses, of which China Taiping has the highest amount (HK$2,500, but with excess of 5%).
In addition, if the furry unfortunately pass away, the owner needs to deal with the aftermath. Except for OneDegree, all products all cover the cost of cremation and funeral services. The highest amount is Blue Cross (HK$3,000), while the lowest is PetbleCare (HK$1,000).
Table 4: Comparing Terms and Conditions in Pet Insurance (HKD)
| Plan |
Excluded Dog Specie | Third-party Liability Benefit |
Emergency Boarding |
Advertising Expenses |
Funeral Services |
| Blue Cross LovePet Insurance Plan A |
Antarctic Husky, Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazillier, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Mastiff |
$1,000,000 (Excess: the first HK$3,000 of each claim) |
$3,000 $500 per day Limit to 6 days Co-payment: 50% |
Not covered | $3,000 |
| China Taiping Taiping Pet Care Plan III |
Antarctic Husky, Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazillier, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Mastiff |
$1,000,000 (Excess: the first HK$3,000 of each claim) |
$5,000 Excess：5% |
$2,500 Excess：5% |
$2,000 |
| FWD Pet Insurance Plan III |
Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazillier, Japanese Tosa, and Pit Bull Terrier1 |
$1,000,000 (Excess: the first HK$3,000 of each claim) |
Not covered | $400 | $1,500 |
| MSIG Happy Tails |
Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazillier, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Mastiff1 |
$2,750,000 (Ultimate Plan Dog) $1,375,000 (Cat Plan) Co-payment varies by age. |
Not covered | Not covered |
$1,375 |
| OneDegree Pawfect Care |
No exclusion | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| PetbleCare Superior Plan |
Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazillier, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Mastiff1 |
$2,000,000 (Excess: the first HK$3,000 of each claim) |
Not covered | $300 | $1,000 |
| Prudential PRUChoice Furkid Care Plan B |
Antarctic Husky, Bull Terrier, Tibetan Mastiff, and dog breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Regulation (Chapter 167D) 1,4 |
$3,000,000 (Excess: the first HK$3,000 of each claim) |
$3,0005 $500 per day Limit to 6 days |
Not covered |
$3,000 |
| Note: 1. Including mixed breed of these dog breads. 2. Blue Cross and China Taiping: reimbursement of pet sitting expenses incurred at pet sitting facility if the policyholder is hospitalised for more than 4 consecutive days. 3. MSIG: enrolled before Age 4: 20%; enrolled before Age 7: 30%; enrolled before Age 9: 40%. 4. Prudential: reimbursement of pet sitting cost of your furry kid at a licensed pet sitting facility in Hong Kong in case of hospitalisation or overseas travel delay of paw-rent for over 2 consecutive days. 5. In alphabetical order by company name. | |||||
Pet insurance can be purchased online - compare before you buy
Pets do bring us lots of joy and memories, and for owners it is important to plan ahead for the potential costs. These days some pet insurance plans can be easily purchased online. However before buying be sure to compare and understand different plans to make an informed decision, and consult professional advisors if needed.
Turtle and Bird Pet Insurance Debut
OneDegree has launched the first-in-market pet insurance for turtles, tortoises and birds in Hong Kong, covering 68 species of birds and 53 species of turtles. Pets 1-10 years of age are eligible for application, with annual underwriting required for renewals at age 11 or above. Pet owners can purchase the insurance online at an annual premium of HK$2,988. The plan covers up to 20 medical claims per year, and includes consultation, hospitalisation and surgery fees, with 50% reimbursement.
Note:
1. Assuming enrolled in the highest tier plan.
2. The premium rates above are updated as of 31 Jan 2023 and exclude any insurance levy collected by the Insurance Authority.
3. The above information is updated as of 31 Jan 2023.
1. Assuming enrolled in the highest tier plan.
2. The premium rates above are updated as of 31 Jan 2023 and exclude any insurance levy collected by the Insurance Authority.
3. The above information is updated as of 31 Jan 2023.
Disclaimer
10Life Product Comparison and 10Life Insurance Ratings are developed by 10Life Financial Limited, an authorised insurance broker company licensed with the Insurance Authority under License Number FB1526. 10Life Product Comparison and 10Life Insurance Ratings are developed for generic customer segments using mathematical calculations based on product information, facts and data, and are not influenced by any partnerships with or fees received from insurance companies.
Any information on 10Life Platform ("10Life Information"), including but not limited to Product Comparison, Product Ratings, Blog Articles are intended for general education purpose and reference only. None of the 10Life Information is intended, nor should they be considered or relied upon, as regulated advice, insurance, financial, investment or professional advice, recommendation, approval, endorsement, invitation or solicitation in respect of any insurance, financial or investment products. 10Life Information does not take into account your individual needs. Reading 10Life Information should not be considered as conducting a suitability assessment, and is not sufficient to form the basis of any decisions to purchase any insurance products. You should rely on information authorised by insurance companies, carry out your own research and/or seek independent advice from licensed intermediaries before purchasing any insurance products or making any insurance decisions. While reasonable effort is used when collecting, validating and updating 10Life Information from various channels, none of 10Life Group and its subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, directors, officers and employees will be responsible for any liability, claim or loss arising from or associated with you using 10Life Information. No warranty, representation or guarantee is given by 10Life Group and its subsidiaries on the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of the information.
If you have any questions on 10Life Product Comparison and 10Life Insurance Ratings, please email us at enquiries@10life.com .
Have an insurance question? Just ask!
- Ask a question anytime, anywhere
- Get response from multiple licensed advisors
- Simply login with Email
You can choose to direct your question to a specific insurance company before submitting a question.
ExamplesHow to choose saving insurance?Do I need life insurance?What products cover unknown pre-existing conditions?
Share to Facebook
Share to Twitter
Share to LinkedIn
Share to Whatsapp
Copy URL
Further Readings
Before we pass your question to advisor, please login or sign up.
Member Sign Up
Member Login
Continue with FacebookBy signing in an account, you agree to 10Life's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the receipt of latest information from 10Life.
or
Login by Email
Please enter your email address or login to your 10Life account to save the previous chat. Thank you!
Member Sign Up
Member Login
Continue with FacebookBy signing up an account, you agree to 10Life's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the receipt of latest information from 10Life.
Already have an account? Login
or
Sign up by Email
Member Sign Up
Member Login
Continue with FacebookBy signing up an account, you agree to 10Life's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the receipt of latest information from 10Life.
Already have an account? Login
or
Sign up by Email
