Why “Self-Funding” Your Pet’s Health Care May Be Riskier Than You Think 🐾

Picture this: your dog suddenly stops eating, or your cat starts limping. You rush to the vet, hoping it’s nothing serious — until you find out IT IS SERIOUS!  Then you see the vet estimate. ₱8,000 for tests, ₱12,000 for surgery, plus medication and follow-ups. Suddenly, your “rainy day fund” turns into your “vet bill fund.”

Many Filipino pet owners know this story. Most rely on what’s called "self-funding" — paying out of pocket every time something happens. It sounds practical: save money, spend only when needed, and skip the annual premiums.

But when real emergencies happen, that logic can backfire.

💸 The Reality of “Self-Funding”

You have been there before. Even routine vet visits truly add up fast:

₱500–₱1,000 for basic exams

₱3,000–₱5,000 for lab tests or minor treatments

₱10,000–₱25,000 for surgeries or serious conditions

In online pet groups, owners often share how emergency bills forced them to delay treatment or borrow money just to save their pets. That’s the emotional cost of self-funding — you’re constantly weighing your pet’s health against household expenses. And a lot of times, the scales tip favorably towards your household's needs.

What if there is another way?

🩺 Why Not Share the Burden?

The concept of pet insurance is still new to many Filipinos, but just like any insurance product, it's all about sharing the burden. When you know you can pass on the risk of expensive emergency treatments to an institution like Standard Insurance, you are well advised to do so.

We are starting to change how we care for our furry family members and securing health insurance for them makes a lot of sense. Consider this. Instead of paying ₱20,000 in one go for an unexpected surgery, you can pay a small premium annually and Standard Insurance steps in when your pet needs it most.

With Standard Insurance Pet Health Insurance, you can:

· Get coverage for accidental injuries and illnesses

· Receive up to ₱100,000 in vet expense reimbursement for insurable illnesses and accident-related claims

· Access the network of partner veterinarians nationwide or your own vet if you have one

· Enjoy fast claims processing for qualified expenses

Standard Insurance Pet Health makes vet protection simple and affordable.

🐶 “But What If I Never Use It?”

This is the usual argument. When we did not use it, we feel it is a waste of money. But is it really?

Just like human health insurance, pet insurance exists for the "what ifs" you can’t predict. And if nothing happens, then you’ve bought yourself peace of mind — and that’s never wasted.

The best part? Having insurance encourages more proactive care. Studies show pet owners are more likely to visit the vet early instead of waiting until it’s too late, when they have pet health insurance. This means better outcomes for your pet and lower stress for you!

❤️ The Smarter Kind of Love

The truth is, self-funding only works until it doesn’t. Emergencies happen at the worst possible time — right before payday, during tuition season, or when another bill just came in.

So why shoulder it alone when there’s already a solution?

With Standard Insurance Pet Health Insurance, you’re not just protecting your pet — you’re protecting your family’s peace of mind. Because when your pet needs you most, the last thing you should be worrying about is the bill.

👉 Learn more about Standard Insurance Pet Health and see how easy it is to get covered.