As a pet owner, it’s important to make sure your furry friend is always taken care of – and that includes regular trips to the vet.
Unfortunately, veterinary care can be expensive, which is why many pet owners are now turning to pet insurance.
But what exactly is pet insurance? And what does it cover?
In order to make the right decision when purchasing pet insurance, it’s important to understand the basics.
What Is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is a type of insurance that helps cover the costs of veterinary care for your pet.
It can help reimburse you for things like routine checkups and vaccinations, as well as more expensive treatments like surgeries or cancer treatments.
Just like with human health insurance, there are different levels of pet insurance coverage, and different companies offer different plans.
Because of that, you might find that reading pet insurance reviews for the companies you’re considering is a helpful way to make your decision.
That said, there are some general things that all pet insurance plans have in common.
Most pet insurance policies have a monthly premium that you will need to pay, and there may also be a deductible that you will need to meet before the insurance company will start paying out.
In addition, there is usually a limit on how much the insurance company will pay out per year or per incident.
Illness
As we mentioned, there are different levels of pet insurance coverage, and different companies offer different plans.
In general, though, practically every pet insurance should cover the most common illnesses that your pet may experience. That includes things like cancer, infections, tick-borne diseases, and more.
While it’s definitely a good idea to check with the specific company you’re considering to see exactly what illnesses and treatments are covered under their plans, you might also want to do some research to find out if the pet you have is prone to any particular illnesses.
For example, if you have a dog, they may be more likely to develop certain types of heart disease than other dogs – so it would make sense to get a policy that covers those kinds of treatments.
Some policies will also cover things like arthritis and diabetes, though you may need to purchase a separate policy or rider for that coverage.
Accidents
In addition to covering illnesses, most pet insurance plans will also cover accidents.
That means that if your pet accidentally swallows a toy, or gets in a car accident, you will likely be able to get some reimbursement from the insurance company.
Again, it’s important to check with the specific company you’re considering to see what is and isn’t covered – but generally speaking, most accidents are covered.
It’s important to note that both of these types of coverage – illnesses and accidents – typically have a waiting period before they go into effect.
So, for example, if you buy a policy that covers both accidents and illnesses, you may not be able to make a claim for an illness that your pet contracts in the first few months after you purchase the policy.
Congenital Conditions
One thing that is often not covered by pet insurance policies is congenital conditions – meaning conditions that your pet is born with.
For example, if your dog is born with a heart condition, you may not be able to get coverage for it through basic pet insurance.
However, you may be able to purchase a separate policy or rider that will cover those types of conditions.
Obviously, you’ll want to go with the insurance company that offers the best coverage for your needs – and that may mean paying a bit more each month in premiums.
But it’s important to remember that, just like with human health insurance, pet insurance is there to help you financially if your pet gets sick or injured.
So, if you can afford it, getting a policy that covers as much as possible is usually the best way to go.
Emergency Care
Unfortunately, car accidents and being overly zealous with chew toys aren’t the only things that can happen to your pet.
Eating things they shouldn’t, getting bit by another animal, or even just having a seizure can all necessitate a visit to the vet – and that can get expensive quickly.
If your pet needs emergency care, you may be able to get some reimbursement from your insurance company.
Emergency care typically includes things like x-rays, surgery, and hospitalization. However, it’s important to remember that not all policies cover emergency care – or at least not to the same extent.
So, if you’re considering getting pet insurance, be sure to ask about emergency care coverage.
Pet insurance is becoming an increasingly popular way to care for pets, and for good reason.
It can help financially if your pet becomes sick or injured, and most policies cover a wide range of illnesses and accidents.
So, if you’re considering getting pet insurance, be sure to do your research to find the best policy for you and your pet. And, most importantly, always read the fine print!