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Pet Insurance

Pets play an important role in our lives and for this reason, every pet parent wants to ensure their pets are safe and healthy. Just like humans, pets need insurance so you can have the peace of mind that you will have the needed funds if your pet falls ill or an accident happens. Health care is very expensive for humans and the same is true when it comes to veterinary care. Many pet owners have noticed the increasing cost of veterinary care. It’s for this reason that many pet owners are going for pet insurance. 

Getting pet insurance will help protect your furry family member against unplanned veterinary expenses for covered issues such as illnesses and accidents. Read on to discover more about pet insurance.

What Is Pet Insurance? 

Pet insurance is a healthcare policy that provides cover for the costs of vet care in the event of a covered illness or accidental injury. With the right insurance plan, you can enjoy the peace of mind that you need if you have a pet because you can take your pet to the vet with confidence and get your pet treated without having to worry much about costs. 

Your choice of insurance plan is influenced by your pet’s age, breed, existing conditions, and many other needs. If you have more than one pet, you can insure them whereby each pet will get a separate plan, but you might discount for each additional pet you insure. 

It might be tempting to avoid pet insurance when your pet is still young and healthy, but an accident or an illness can befall them as they grow older. It’s better to insure your pet when they’re young. 

Dogs and cats are usually the most expensive pets to treat and that’s why most pet insurance programs are for them. Also, you can find other plans for other types of pets such as reptiles, birds, etc. 

Just like human health insurance, you’ll pay a monthly premium to your insurer for coverage, and the policy will outline certain conditions and procedures that are covered by the insurance company. The coverage is commonly calculated by the percentage of the cost of treatment which you will be reimbursed for by the insurer. 

Unlike human health insurance, pet insurance functions more like property insurance than health insurance as most policies are based on reimbursement. While we are not saying your pet is a piece of property, this kind of framework works in your favor. 

What Does Pet Insurance Cover? 

Pet Insurance

You need to note that the insurance plan that you choose may not cover every condition your pet has. For instance, there are no insurance programs that cover a pre-existing condition. If your pet has been exhibiting signs of illness or injury before insuring him, the condition will not be covered. 

Moreover, most pet insurance policies have waiting periods that can last from a few days to a month before your pet can get full coverage. That’s why it’s advisable to insure your pet as soon as possible to ensure he receives plenty of coverage. 

Here are the types of pet insurance coverage plans you can receive: 

1. Accident-only plans

These provide coverage for emergency care related to accidents; for example when your pet is hurt by a car. This plan doesn’t offer coverage for illnesses or breed-specific issues. 

2. Accident-illness plans

These can be termed as comprehensive plans since they cover both accidents and illnesses.


3. Routine and wellness plans

Most plans don’t cover things like teeth cleaning, annual vaccinations, and other preventative care. That’s why you may need a wellness plan as an add-on as it covers preventative care, routine care, annual vaccination, and checkups. For instance, you can opt for the accident-illness plan with a wellness add-on.


4. Alternative and behavioral treatment

Some plans cover behavioral care and various alternative treatments such as chiropractic and acupuncture care. If you need coverage for alternative or behavioral treatment you must read the details of the kind of treatments that are covered. 

 

How much does pet insurance cost? 

Pet insurance coverage

Pet insurance cost varies but it’s generally affordable. The average annual premium for pet insurance in the U.S covering accidents and illness is about $566 and $354 for dogs and cats respectively. However, it’s important to know what will impact the online pet insurance quote when you request one online.

• Age of your pet: 

Dog insurance is more expensive for older dogs, and this is true for cats because older pets are more likely to fall ill or get injured. It’s advisable to get your pet insured when they are still young as your monthly premiums will be lower, hence you will save on pet insurance.


• Pet’s breed: 

Some breeds are associated with more health issues making them more expensive to insure than others.

• Size of pet: 

Smaller pets are less expensive to insure than larger ones.

• Location: 

Local costs of vet care can impact your premiums. 

• The insurance company: 

Premiums can vary by company.

• Reimbursement level and deductible: 

If your reimbursement level is lower and the deductible is higher, your premiums will be lower.

What to Do Before Purchasing Pet Insurance Policy

You love your pet and you want them to enjoy a longer lifespan, so you need to make sure you choose the best pet insurance policy. Here are a few tips that will help you make the best choice: 

1. Compared pet insurance plans: 

Before insuring your pet, compare various pet insurance plans or providers taking into account the premiums, deductibles, reimbursements, exclusions, and other features.

2. Look at the insurer’s track record: 

You want to make sure you find one that’s experienced, stable and reliable.

3. Read details of what’s covered:

Some pet insurance plans do not cover everything, so read details to know what’s covered and what’s excluded.

 

4. Pick a coverage that works for you: 

You know what you need your pet covered for the most and what you can afford, so choose a coverage that suits you best. 

 

 

Dog lover

Pet insurance ensures peace of mind for pet owners, especially due to the rising cost of vet care. Unplanned events can happen and you have to pay for vet bills out of your pocket, but when you have pet insurance you will have the confidence that yourpet will receive the treatment that he needs.

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