Pet Insurance

Protecting the Smallest Family Member

 

Pet insurance is a bit of a mystery to some pet owners.  They know and understand pet insurance exists, but for many there is no real understanding as to what pet insurance  is for, and what exactly it covers.

Your pets are a vital part of your family.  No want wants to ever be placed in the position of having to assign a dollar value to their pets if they become sick or injured.  Assigning a dollar value to your pet’s life may very well be the case if a person doesn’t have proper pet insurance.

Rising Vet. medicine costs mean that pet owners could pay hundreds, perhaps even thousands of dollars on their pets’ health problems. As the Vet. bills stack up, uninsured pet owners could be forced to determine how much they will spend on their family pet. It can be a heartbreaking and emotionally charged decision to make.

Similar to insurance for human health, cars and homes, pet insurance policies people put a little money away now to avoid a major payout later. Pet insurance coverage and costs will vary, so it’s important to thoroughly research the options if you decide to purchase pet insurance.

 

 

Is Pet Insurance Right for You

When people purchase a pet, they often don’t stop to consider how they’ll deal with the high costs of unexpected illnesses or accidents. it makes no difference in the costs if a pet is an inside animal or an outside animal.  Hazards exist in each environment.  Pets can find and swallow foreign objects, ingest a poisonous substance or injure themselves.   Indoor pets are not immune to disease and infection – particularly those which are hereditary.  Outdoor pets have equal opportunities to pick up a disease or get hurt.

Perhaps your family pet is not the traditional dog or cat.  Pet insurance companies are offering plans which meet the needs of a variety of family pets. Some pet insurance companies now offer coverage for a wide range of birds and exotic animals.

Not all pet owners are viable candidates for pet insurance. Pet insurance is best suited to owners who deeply love their pets and are willing to spend what’s needed to keep their pet healthy and comfortable in life. These pet owners buy their pets the best food and care they can afford, sometimes putting their pets’ needs before their own. For this type of pet owner, pet insurance is a smart investment which can prevent considerable costs from mounting up down the road and bring peace of mind in a time of medical need.

Pet insurance will not be perceived as a good investment by owners who don’t have a strong emotional tie to their pet. Unfortunately there are pet owners who would rather opt have their pets euthanized prematurely than spend money on medical costs for their pet, let alone pet insurance.

What Type of Pet Insurance Coverage Do You Want

Typically, most pet owners will weigh and measure two common considerations when shopping for pet insurance: budget and the cost of coverage.

Pet insurance, in the long history of the insurance industry, a relatively new product in the United States and Canada, so options which are available may appear to be fewer than other forms of insurance. North American pet owners can choose pet insurance from a significant variety of coverage choices, ranging from injury/accident-only to an all-inclusive style of pet insurance policy.

As with all pet insurance products, regardless of the insurance provider, the cost of pet insurance does increase as the style of coverage improves. A pet owner must decide what is the right balance between affordability and the level of care they want for their pet.

Pet Insurance Coverage

When selecting pet insurance coverage, first take some time to consider the kind of pet insurance customer you are. Do you prefer all-inclusive pet insurance coverage which pays for everything from routine checkups, vaccinations, accidents as well as illnesses, or are you comfortable with a lesser degree of pet insurance coverage which covers emergencies? Perhaps you prefer a flexible pet insurance plan which provides discounts on a wide range of medical services, from veterinary care to training. This decision will lay the groundwork for your final pet insurance policy choice.

Some Pet Insurance Issues To Consider:

* Check for pet insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions as well as breed-specific genetic ailments, such as hip dysplasia for large dogs. Some pet insurance plans refuse to cover such conditions.

* Some pet insurance plans will place dollar limits on annual, per-incident, per-illness or lifetime costs.

* How old is your pet?  pet insurance coverage usually commences at your pet’s age of eight weeks, but some pet insurance plans won’t cover pets over a certain age (usually between six and 10 years old, depending on the breed, type of animal and other factors).

Pet Insurance Cost

Payment options for pet insurance can include flat fees combined with deductibles and/or co-payments. Not surprisingly, pet insurance plans with lower monthly premiums come with higher deductibles and/or larger co-payments.

Pet Insurance Issues To Thing About:

* Pet insurance premiums are based on the age, health and breed of your pet, as well as the type of animal.

* Some pet insurance plans offers discounts for multiple pets.

* Pet insurance plans often require customers to first pay the vet bill and then submit receipts for reimbursement.

* Find out if your pet insurance premiums will increase as your pet ages.

* Depending on the pet insurance plan you select, monthly premiums can range from less than $10 to about $40.

Choose a Pet Insurance Provider

You’ve done your homework and determined you can afford to spend a set amount on the pet insurance coverage you want.

Before selecting a pet insurance provider, here are a few final considerations:

* List your questions and priorities in advance. Be certain to answer or check off each item when reviewing pet insurance plan options.

* Research your targeted pet insurance provider thoroughly. Review their website, sales materials, read their testimonials, talk to other pet owners and look for on-line reviews. How long has the pet insurance company been in business? Are their pet insurance customers satisfied? Make sure you feel comfortable about everything you hear or read.

* Compare the pet insurance plan’s benefit schedule with your vet’s fees to better understand what degree the pet insurance plan will cover when compared to the actual treatment costs.

* Find out how quickly the pet insurance company will reimburse customers’ claim payments and if the pet insurance company has claim deadlines.

* Make sure you understand the pet insurance plan’s benefits and the limitations. If something isn’t clear, ask and get the answer in writing. Otherwise, you might find you don’t have the pet insurance coverage you need should a medical emergency occur.

* Start a medical file at home for your pet. Use this file to store all receipts and pet insurance paperwork to stay on top of your pet insurance claims and to be certain you are maximizing your pet insurance investment.

Pet insurance can give the smallest member of your family a longer and happier life.  Pet insurance can provide you with more stress free time to enjoy the unconditional love your pet so willingly gives back to you.

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