Key Takeaways
- Bajaj Allianz offers 7 coverage sections (base surgery + 6 optional add-ons) starting at ₹315/year; ICICI Lombard's Pet-O-Sure maxes out at ₹5 lakh annual cover
- Bajaj has a 30-day illness waiting period and 90-day theft waiting period — accidents covered from day one with both insurers
- Bajaj charges a 10% co-pay (minimum ₹1,000) per claim; ICICI Lombard charges 5% of sum insured as base premium
- Bajaj Allianz accepts dogs aged 3 months to 10 years (Giant breeds exit at 6 years); ICICI Lombard covers 3 months to 8 years
- Brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Shih Tzus, Bulldogs) attract a 10% premium loading with Bajaj Allianz
- Bajaj Allianz has a documented digital claim process with 15-day settlement; ICICI Lombard settles within 14 days of complete documentation
Why This Comparison Matters in 2026
India's pet insurance market is growing rapidly, but only a handful of insurers actually offer standalone dog insurance policies. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and ICICI Lombard General Insurance are two of the largest general insurers in the country, and both have IRDAI-approved pet insurance products — Bajaj Allianz Pet Dog Insurance Policy (UIN: IRDAN113RP0029V01201920) and ICICI Lombard's Pet-O-Sure.
With veterinary costs in Indian metros rising 15-20% annually and specialist surgeries (cruciate ligament repair, tumour removal) costing ₹30,000-₹1,50,000, the financial case for pet insurance has never been stronger. This comparison uses publicly available policy wordings, brochures, and IRDAI filings to give you actual numbers rather than marketing claims.
Coverage Comparison: What Each Policy Actually Covers
The biggest structural difference: Bajaj Allianz uses a modular design with one base cover and six optional add-ons, while ICICI Lombard bundles everything into a single plan. Here is what each policy covers.
| Coverage Area | Bajaj Allianz | ICICI Lombard Pet-O-Sure |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery & Hospitalisation | Base cover. Up to ₹50,000 per policy year. ₹2,500/day hospitalisation sub-limit. 10% co-pay (min ₹1,000) | Included. Up to ₹5,00,000 annual limit |
| Mortality (Death) Benefit | Optional add-on. Not available for Giant breeds >4 yrs or other breeds >7 yrs | Included for dogs 0-9 years. No death benefit for 9-12 year age group |
| Terminal Diseases | Optional. Lump sum ₹30,000 if diagnosed during policy period (30-day survival required) | Covered under hospitalisation/treatment expenses |
| OPD (Outpatient) Cover | Optional add-on. Not available for Giant breeds >4 yrs or others >7 yrs | Not separately listed |
| Theft/Lost/Straying | Optional. 90-day waiting period from policy start | Included (loss/theft of pet covered) |
| Third Party Liability | Optional. Covers bodily injury, property damage, and legal costs. No waiting period | Included. Covers third-party liability |
| Long Term Care | Optional. ₹25,000 lump sum for qualifying chronic conditions | Not separately listed |
| Accidental Poisoning | Covered under surgery/hospitalisation base cover | Separately listed as covered |
| Transit Accident | Not separately listed | Covered (rail, air, road transit) |
DodoDoggy Tip
Bajaj Allianz's modular structure means you can keep premiums low by skipping add-ons you don't need. ICICI Lombard's bundled approach is simpler but you pay for everything whether you want it or not.
Eligibility: Age Limits and Breed Restrictions
Both insurers restrict entry age, but Bajaj Allianz provides more granular breed-size tiers.
| Criteria | Bajaj Allianz | ICICI Lombard |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Entry Age | 3 months | 3 months |
| Maximum Entry Age (Small/Medium/Large) | 7 years | 8 years |
| Maximum Entry Age (Giant Breeds) | 4 years | Not separately specified |
| Maximum Exit Age (Small/Medium/Large) | 10 years | 12 years |
| Maximum Exit Age (Giant Breeds) | 6 years | Not separately specified |
| Brachycephalic Breeds | Accepted with 10% premium loading (Pug, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, Boxer, Bulldog, Mastiff) | Not publicly restricted |
| Indian Breeds (Indie/Pariah) | Accepted | Accepted |
| Required Documentation | Vaccination certificate, vet health certificate, RFID tag (for discount) | Vaccination certificate, vet health certificate |
Bajaj Allianz explicitly names brachycephalic breeds and applies premium loading. If you own a Pug, Bulldog, or Shih Tzu, factor this 10% surcharge into your cost calculation. Giant breeds like Great Danes and Saint Bernards face tighter age windows — entry only up to 4 years, exit at 6 years. Dogs with pre-existing conditions may face exclusions at underwriting — always declare your pet’s full medical history when applying.
Waiting Periods Compared
Waiting periods determine when your coverage actually starts. Both insurers waive waiting periods for accidents, but illness and theft claims have mandatory cooling-off windows.
| Waiting Period Type | Bajaj Allianz | ICICI Lombard |
|---|---|---|
| Accident Claims | No waiting period — covered from day one | No waiting period |
| Illness Claims (Surgery, Hospitalisation, OPD, Terminal Diseases, Long Term Care) | 30 days from policy commencement | 30 days (standard industry practice) |
| Theft/Lost/Straying Claims | 90 days from policy commencement | Not publicly specified |
| Third Party Liability | No waiting period | No waiting period |
| Continuous Renewal | No waiting period applies on renewal without break | Renewal terms not publicly detailed |
DodoDoggy Tip
Bajaj Allianz's 30-day illness waiting period resets only on new policies. If you renew without a break, no waiting period applies. This rewards long-term policyholders — do not let your policy lapse.
Claim Process: Step-by-Step Comparison
Bajaj Allianz has a well-documented digital claims process. ICICI Lombard's pet-specific claim process is less publicly documented, but follows their standard general insurance reimbursement workflow. See our step-by-step claims guide for a detailed walkthrough.
Bajaj Allianz Claim Steps:
- Notify Bajaj Allianz within 24 hours of the incident (surgery, hospitalisation, death, theft)
- Get immediate treatment from a qualified veterinarian at a registered vet clinic or hospital
- Download and fill the Pet Dog Insurance Claim Form from the Bajaj Allianz website or mobile app
- Collect required documents: completed claim form, vaccination certificates, vet medical papers and bills, hospital discharge summary. For mortality claims: death certificate with coloured photographs
- Email documents to the claims team or upload via the Bajaj Allianz mobile app or website
- Claims team evaluates admissibility and shares NEFT form if approved
- Payment processed to your bank account within 15 days of complete documentation
ICICI Lombard Claim Steps:
- Intimate the claim through ICICI Lombard's customer care (1800-103-2292) or mobile app
- Visit a registered veterinarian for treatment
- Collect all original bills, prescriptions, discharge summaries, and investigation reports
- Submit the completed claim form along with supporting documents
- For death claims: provide death certificate, post-mortem report if applicable, and FIR for unnatural death
- Settlement within 14 days of receiving complete documentation
Pro Tip
Both insurers require original documents. Keep photocopies or scanned versions of every vet bill, prescription, and diagnostic report from the moment you buy the policy. Missing paperwork is the number one reason claims get delayed.
Sub-Limits and Fine Print You Should Know
Sub-limits cap how much the insurer will pay for specific items within your overall sum insured. Bajaj Allianz's sub-limits are well-documented; ICICI Lombard's are less publicly detailed.
| Sub-Limit | Bajaj Allianz | ICICI Lombard |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery Expenses Cap | ₹50,000 per policy year | Up to sum insured (max ₹5,00,000/year) |
| Hospitalisation Per-Day Limit | ₹2,500 per day | Not publicly specified |
| Co-Pay per Claim | 10% of claim amount (minimum ₹1,000) | Not publicly specified |
| Terminal Disease Lump Sum | ₹30,000 (30-day survival clause) | Covered under treatment, no separate lump sum |
| Long Term Care Lump Sum | ₹25,000 | Not available as separate benefit |
| Illness Treatment Cap (specific conditions) | ₹30,000 for certain listed illnesses | Not publicly specified |
The ₹2,500/day hospitalisation sub-limit with Bajaj Allianz is worth noting. If your dog needs a 5-day ICU stay at a metro vet hospital charging ₹5,000/day, you will pay ₹12,500 out of pocket just on the daily rate difference. ICICI Lombard's higher sum insured ceiling (₹5 lakh) means fewer out-of-pocket surprises for expensive treatments, but the premium cost is proportionally higher.
Which Insurer Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on what you are optimising for. Here are three common scenarios Indian dog owners face.
Choose Bajaj Allianz if: You want the lowest possible premium and are comfortable self-insuring for mortality risk. The ₹315/year base plan covers surgery and hospitalisation — the two most common high-cost vet expenses. Add third-party liability (₹50-₹200/year extra) if your dog interacts with strangers or other pets regularly. The RFID discount and claim-free renewal benefits reward long-term policyholders.
Choose ICICI Lombard if: You want higher coverage ceilings and prefer a single bundled policy without managing add-ons. The ₹5 lakh annual limit gives significantly more headroom for expensive surgeries or prolonged hospitalisation. The bundled mortality and theft cover means fewer gaps. However, premiums are higher and the product is less actively marketed than Bajaj's.
Consider both if: You own multiple dogs or a brachycephalic breed. Get quotes from both insurers with your exact breed, age, and city. Premiums can vary by 30-50% for the same dog depending on the insurer's risk assessment for your specific breed category.
DodoDoggy Tip
Request written quotes from both insurers before deciding. Online calculators give estimates, but final premiums are confirmed only after your vet submits the health certificate and the underwriter reviews your dog's medical history.
How to Buy: Bajaj Allianz vs ICICI Lombard
Bajaj Allianz sells pet insurance directly through bajajgeneralinsurance.com and through PetAssure India (petassureindia.com), their specialised pet insurance partner. You can also buy through insurance aggregators like PolicyBazaar. The entire process is online — fill the proposal form, upload your dog's vaccination certificate and vet health check, pay the premium, and receive your policy document via email.
ICICI Lombard's Pet-O-Sure is available through icicilombard.com and select insurance brokers. Availability may vary by city, so check directly with ICICI Lombard customer care at 1800-103-2292 if the online portal does not show pet insurance as an option in your region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest pet insurance plan between Bajaj Allianz and ICICI Lombard?
Bajaj Allianz offers the lowest entry point at ₹315/year for base surgery and hospitalisation cover. ICICI Lombard’s minimum is approximately ₹500/year for a ₹10,000 sum insured. However, Bajaj’s base plan has a ₹50,000 surgery cap and ₹2,500/day hospitalisation sub-limit, so always compare what you actually get for the price before deciding.
Are Indian breed dogs (Indie/Pariah) covered by both insurers?
Yes. Both Bajaj Allianz and ICICI Lombard accept Indian breed dogs (Indie/Pariah). Bajaj Allianz classifies them under the Medium breed category for premium calculation, making them among the most affordable to insure. Indian breeds are generally hardier than brachycephalic or giant foreign breeds — a ₹315/year base policy is realistic for a healthy Indie between 1 and 5 years old, often with no premium loading applied.
Can I insure my 9-year-old dog with either company?
Not as a new policy. Bajaj Allianz's maximum entry age is 7 years for non-giant breeds (4 years for giants). ICICI Lombard's maximum entry age is 8 years. However, if you already hold a Bajaj Allianz policy and renew without break, coverage continues up to age 10. ICICI Lombard may cover up to 12 years on renewal.
What happens if my claim is rejected?
Both insurers have a formal grievance redressal process. First file a written complaint with the insurer’s customer care team and get a reference number. If unresolved within 15 days, escalate to the IRDAI Integrated Grievance Management System (IGMS) at igms.irda.gov.in. You can also approach the Insurance Ombudsman in your state at no cost. Keep all vet bills, correspondence, and claim documents as evidence.
Does either insurer offer cashless treatment at vet hospitals?
As of 2026, neither Bajaj Allianz nor ICICI Lombard has a widespread cashless network specifically for pet insurance in India. Both primarily operate on a reimbursement basis — you pay the vet upfront and claim reimbursement afterwards. Bajaj Allianz processes reimbursements within 15 days; ICICI Lombard targets 14 days of receiving complete documentation.
Is third-party liability cover important for dog owners in India?
Absolutely. Under Indian law (Section 289 IPC and various municipal corporation bylaws), dog owners are liable if their pet causes injury or property damage to a third party. Third-party liability cover pays for legal defence costs and compensation. Bajaj Allianz offers this as an optional add-on with no waiting period. ICICI Lombard includes it in their bundled plan.
What documents do I need to buy pet insurance?
Both insurers require your dog’s vaccination certificate (rabies and core vaccines up to date), a veterinary health certificate issued within 7–15 days of application, your Aadhaar or PAN for KYC verification, recent photographs of the dog, and RFID microchip details if available. Bajaj Allianz gives a 5% premium discount for RFID-tagged dogs — worth getting before you apply.
