Life happens, and your pets are susceptible to disease, and some prone to accidents. This is why it is important to consider acquiring pet insurance for them in case of any unexpected accidents or illnesses that may happen in their lifetime.
What is Pet Insurance?
Simply put, pet insurance is a monthly premium that you pay to cover your pet in the event anything was to happen to them. These plans help reduce the financial burden of unexpected veterinary costs. Most pet insurance plans reimburse you instead of paying the veterinarian directly. It is recommended that you take your pet to the veterinarian to create a better understanding of what accidents or illnesses your pet is likely to face during its lifetime to inform your decisions on which type of coverage will work best for you.
What does pet insurance cover?
The best pet insurance plans can cover some of the most expensive treatments your pet may face, however, your policy may not cover every medical cost your pet has. So it is essential to find plans that cover your pet's breed-specific medical risks.
Things that Pet insurance can cover include:
Surgery
Unexpected Illness
Unexpected Injuries/Accidents
Medication
Additional exam fees
Tests/Diagnostics
Things that Pet Insurance does not cover:
Pre-Existing conditions
Routine care/ wellness exams
Preventative care
spay/Neuter
Vaccinations
Exclusions
What are the different types of Pet Insurance?
The different types of pet insurance include:
Accident Only
Accident-Illness
Accident-Illness + Wellness plan
It is important to check what each insurance covers and the waiting periods for each coverage.
How much does pet insurance cost?
The cost of pet insurance varies, but the average cost of cat insurance is $29, and the average cost of dog insurance is $47. The cost of your insurance plan will vary depending on what type of coverage plan you buy, and based on factors that include:
Size
Breed
Age
Location
Common indoor and outdoor risks in the area
Term and length of insurance policy
Reimbursement Rate
Deductible
Payout Limit
Plan Type Policy Provider
What should my pet insurance policy have?
There are many considerations when investing in pet insurance, and it is important to ask any insurer that gives you a quote for information that will aid in your path to making an informed decision. Questions you should ask your insurer include.
Do they require a veterinarian-client-patient relationship?
Do they allow policyholders to choose their veterinarians?
Do they interfere with the veterinarian's fee structure?
Is approval required by the state insurance regulatory agency where the policy is sold?
Are they consistent with the principles of veterinary medical ethics and pet health industry ethical standards?
Do they use licensed veterinarians to assist in claims adjudication?
How clear are they about policy limits, pricing structures, and optional coverage that might be available to policyholders?
Are they transparent about how the terms and conditions of plans will impact coverage and costs, including the financial obligations of policyholders such as co-pays deductibles, and exclusions?
Do they Communicate clearly about the fee reimbursement process?
Conclusion
Finding the right type of coverage for your pet can be a confusing task, but with the correct resources you can make an educated decision on the right type of coverage for your pet. Research articles similar to this one, or check out the resources listed below for more information during your search for the right coverage for your pet. Also, contact us at 559-434-5470 or schedule an appointment for more information on pet insurance and what you need to consider when making a decision.
Resources
Pawlicy.com. What is pet insurance, How does it work, and what is covered? A pet parent's Guide
California Department of Insurance. Questions to consider when purchasing pet insurance
American Veterinary Medical Association. Pet Health Insurance
Compare Pet Insurance at Pet Insurance Reviews
