Río Uruguay Seguros (RUS), a leading Argentinian cooperative insurer and long-standing ICMIF member, has launched RUS Pet Care, an innovative animal welfare plan offering extensive coverage for pets. The product includes veterinary care, telemedicine, and exclusive discounts at specialist retailers, reflecting RUS’s commitment to digital transformation and customer-centric innovation. The launch event was streamed live on the company’s YouTube channel.

Comprehensive plans for pet owners

During the presentation, Juan Carlos Lucio Godoy, Executive President, Río Uruguay Seguros (Argentina), underscored the importance of this new business model aimed at addressing the evolving needs of pet owners.

RUS Pet Care offers three distinct plans, all valid for six-month periods:

• Standard Plan: Covers civil liability up to ARS 5 million (the highest on the market) for bodily or material damage caused by pets, telemedicine services, and discounts through partnerships with NeoZoo, YPF ServiClub, and Club La Voz.
• Intermediate Plan: Includes the benefits of the Standard Plan, with added vaccination coverage and legal advice.
• Premium Plan: Provides all Intermediate Plan benefits, plus laboratory analysis, imaging, veterinary consultations (in-clinic, at home, and via video call), surgeries, sterilisation, medication reimbursements, dog daycare during recovery, and compensation for theft or death.

Innovative digital strategy and marketing approach

Sabrina Cabrera, Digital Coordinator and Executive Committee member, RUS (Argentina), emphasised the company’s focus on innovation, digitalisation, and flexibility. Cabrera explained that RUS developed an artificial intelligence-powered online platform that enables its Insurance Advisory Producers (PAS) to access pre-designed social media content, streamlining their promotional efforts.

Javier Martínez, Director, Cúpula Biz (Argentina), noted the dual approach of appealing to rational and emotional decision-making. “Our goal is to stop selling the way we want to sell and start selling the way customers want to buy,” he explained.

Addressing the growing role of pets in society

Pablo Rosa, veterinarian specialising in animal welfare, Argentina, highlighted the importance of pets in Argentinian households, with approximately 15 million dogs and 6 million cats. He noted that RUS Pet Care responds to a growing societal need for comprehensive pet insurance, reinforcing the crucial role pets play in family life.

RUS’s launch of this product exemplifies its dedication to innovation and cooperative values, setting a new benchmark for pet insurance in the cooperative and mutual insurance sector.

Photo shows, from left to right: Andrés Fiorotto (RUS Digital Laboratory), Juan Carlos Lucio Godoy (President of RUS), Sabrina Cabrera (RUS Digital Laboratory), Javier Martínez (Biz Dome) and Pablo Rosa (veterinarian specializing in animal welfare).