Who is Checkers Pet?
Checkers Pet is a new entrant to the SA pet insurance market, offered through the Shoprite/Checkers retail group. At R69/month, it's the cheapest pet insurance option in South Africa — by a significant margin. The next cheapest (Oneplan) starts at R80/mo.
But there's a reason it's cheap: the annual limit is only R30,000, which is roughly enough for one moderate emergency and nothing more. This is a budget product designed for budget situations.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cheapest pet insurance in SA at R69/mo
- From a trusted retail brand (Shoprite/Checkers)
- Easy to add at a till point or through the Checkers app
- Use any registered SA vet
- Month-to-month — no long-term commitment
Cons
- Only R30k annual limit — insufficient for major surgery or chronic illness
- New product — no track record on claims handling
- No direct-to-vet payment
- Pre-existing conditions excluded (like all SA insurers except MediPet LitePlus)
- No exotic pet cover
- No multi-pet discount
- Likely to have less comprehensive coverage than dedicated insurers
Who Should Buy Checkers Pet?
Checkers Pet makes sense for exactly one scenario: you have a healthy young pet, you have savings for emergencies, and you want a very low-cost safety net for minor accidents.
At R69/month (R828/year), it's cheaper than a single routine vet visit. If your pet needs nothing more than a few stitches or a short hospital stay, the R30k limit will probably cover it.
Who should skip it: Anyone with a breed prone to expensive conditions (French Bulldog, Dachshund, GSD), anyone who couldn't absorb a R30k+ bill, or anyone who wants proper cover for serious illness. For those situations, you need Dotsure (R130k limit from R99/mo) or Oneplan (unlimited from R80/mo).
Our Verdict
Checkers Pet is not bad, just limited. At R69/mo you're not buying comprehensive cover — you're buying a small buffer. It's better than no insurance at all, but it's not a substitute for proper cover if your pet is at risk of expensive conditions.
Best for: Owners of healthy mixed-breed pets on a tight budget who want a basic safety net. Not suitable for high-cost breeds or owners who want real peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Checkers Pet the cheapest pet insurance in South Africa?
Yes. At R69/month, it's the lowest-priced pet insurance option currently available in SA. The next cheapest is Oneplan at R80/mo.
What is the Checkers Pet annual limit?
R30,000 per year. For reference, a single cruciate ligament surgery can cost R12k-R20k, and hip replacement can reach R45k. The R30k limit is sufficient for minor emergencies but will be exhausted by one major procedure.
Does Checkers Pet cover pre-existing conditions?
No. Checkers Pet excludes pre-existing conditions, like all SA pet insurers except MediPet's LitePlus tier.
Can I use any vet with Checkers Pet?
Yes. Checkers Pet accepts claims from all registered South African vet practices.
Not sure if it's enough cover?
Compare Checkers Pet against Dotsure, Oneplan and others in our side-by-side comparison. Or use our premium calculator to see what different levels of cover cost for your pet.