Pet insurance can be a wonderful tool to help pay for your pet’s procedures and health care needs. We trust several companies and have included links below to learn more about the different types of pet insurance.
What is pet insurance?
Similar to human health insurance, pet insurance helps provide peace of mind in case the unfortunate should happen. Its purpose is to help cover the costs of unexpected accidents and illnesses that may occur in the future. Unfortunately, it will not cover any current conditions your pet may have which are known as pre-existing conditions. This means that the ideal time to insure your pet is as early as possible so that anything that happens in the future will be covered.
How does pet insurance work?
When your insured pet becomes sick or injured, you take him to the veterinary clinic for treatment. You then submit your invoice along with the pet insurance claim form to be reimbursed at a percentage, less your chosen deductible.
Who needs pet insurance?
All dogs and cats can be protected by pet insurance. Pet insurance is for those who want to provide their pet the best medical care possible.
Why get pet insurance?
Peace of mind
Provide the best medicine possible with less worry about cost
Treatment vs. ‘economic’ euthanasia
Avoid financial surprises
How do I get pet insurance?
See our recommended insurance companies below:
Click here to view Trupanion medical insurance for your pet.
Top 3 Reasons to Choose Trupanion:
- One Simple Plan – Pet Insurance can get pretty complicated when you have to sort through several plans and levels. At Trupanion, we want to make pet insurance simple and easy to understand. Our comprehensive pet insurance policy covers surgeries, diagnostic tests, medications, treatments and hospital stays if your pet gets sick or injured. We also reimburse from your actual veterinary bill so you don’t have to worry about a predetermined benefit schedule.
- 90% Coverage – Trupanion covers 90% of actual veterinary costs for approved accident and illness claims, less the exam fee and optional deductible. Full 90% coverage is available at any veterinary clinic, emergency care center or specialty center.
- No Payout Limit – With Trupanion, your pet receives unlimited lifetime pet insurance coverage. Trupanion does not impose any per incident limits, annuals limits, or lifetime limits on the amount of care your pet can receive.
Pet insurance is a vital consideration for pet owners who want to reduce the burden of unexpected veterinary costs. Most people enroll in pet insurance within the first six months after getting a new pet, but it’s never too late (as long as your pet doesn’t have pre-existing conditions).
You can compare pet insurance companies and get a personalized recommendation using a free, independent resource like Pawlicy Advisor (recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association). Below, we provide a basic overview of pet health insurance, address frequently asked questions, and explain how it can be used to save money at the vet
How Pet Insurance Works
Unexpected vet bills can typically range anywhere from a couple hundred to several thousands of dollars. Pet insurance helps protect you from the cost of unexpected accidents & illnesses when your four-legged friend gets sick or injured. Generally, here’s how the process works:
- You purchase a policy and pay a monthly or annual premium.
- Visit any licensed veterinary clinic or animal hospital whenever your pet experiences an unforeseen health issue.
- Pay for the cost to diagnose and treat your pet’s condition upfront, at the time of service.
- File a claim with your pet insurance company.
- Get reimbursed for covered costs via check or direct deposit.
What Pet Insurance Can Cover
There are two main types of pet insurance plans to consider: Accident-Only (AO) and Accident & Illness (AI). Most people purchase the second type — Accident & Illness plans — because they cover a wide variety of unexpected health issues.
This list may include:
- Injuries, such as broken bones, torn nails, lacerations, and getting hit by a car
- Accidents, such as foreign object ingestion and accidental poisoning
- Acute illness, as in the case of ear infections, UTIs, kennel cough, and similar infections
- Chronic illness, for cases of diabetes, arthritis, allergies, and the like
- Genetic (hereditary) disorders, such as hip dysplasia and patellar luxation
- Congenital disorders acquired at birth, such as heart defects
- Terminal disease, including cancer, kidney failure, and more
- Diagnostics, like x-rays, blood tests, and more.
Many pet insurance companies (known as “carriers”) also offer wellness plans to help cover the cost of routine veterinary care for things like vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and annual checkups. Every pet insurance policy is different, so it’s important to read the fine print to understand what is and isn’t covered when choosing a carrier.
Things to Know Before Enrollment
- Deductibles: Your deductible determines how much will you have to pay out-of-pocket before your pet insurance policy starts paying for eligible veterinary bills.
- Reimbursements: The amount you receive in claim payouts will be based on the reimbursement percentage you choose when enrolling, which can range between 70-100%.
- Waiting Periods: Policy benefits don’t kick in immediately; all pet insurance companies enforce a mandatory waiting period before coverage begins.
- Pre-Existing Conditions: Pet insurance only works for unexpected health issues your pet may develop throughout its lifetime. It can’t be used to pay for conditions that existed before the policy was purchased. That’s why it is important to enroll your pet before medical problems arise.
How to Choose the Right Plan
If you think pet insurance is right for you, remember to keep these things in mind when comparing plans:
- Age Limitations: Some insurers may have age restrictions for enrollment or the coverage they provide.
- Breed-Specific Coverage: Some companies may not cover specific medical conditions that are common in certain breeds. If your pet is prone to hereditary or congenital disorders, it’s important to ensure the plan you choose covers these conditions.
- Projected Costs: Your premium rate is subject to change depending on your pet’s health and age, and the rate of increase varies by company. Be sure to consider the expected lifetime cost of the policy, not just the monthly price you will pay today.
By keeping these key points in mind, you can enroll in a great plan for your dog or cat, safeguarding their well-being – and your wallet. Pet insurance can provide you with peace of mind knowing that you can afford the care your pet needs.
How Do I Get Pet Insurance?
See our recommended insurance companies below:
Top 3 Reasons to Choose Trupanion:
- One Simple Plan – Pet Insurance can get pretty complicated when you have to sort through several plans and levels. At Trupanion, we want to make pet insurance simple and easy to understand. Our comprehensive pet insurance policy covers surgeries, diagnostic tests, medications, treatments and hospital stays if your pet gets sick or injured. We also reimburse from your actual veterinary bill so you don’t have to worry about a predetermined benefit schedule.
- 90% Coverage – Trupanion covers 90% of actual veterinary costs for approved accident and illness claims, less the exam fee and optional deductible. Full 90% coverage is available at any veterinary clinic, emergency care center or specialty center.
- No Payout Limit – With Trupanion, your pet receives unlimited lifetime pet insurance coverage. Trupanion does not impose any per incident limits, annuals limits, or lifetime limits on the amount of care your pet can receive.
Click here to view Trupanion medical insurance for your pet.
How Pawlicy Advisor Can Help
Pawlicy Advisor is America’s leading pet insurance marketplace and is recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association.
- Talk to a licensed expert not biased toward any one insurance company
- See personalized advice based on your pet’s breed
- Compare quotes and coverage from top companies side-by-side
Pawlicy Advisor’s team of pet parents, licensed insurance experts, and veterinary advisors is dedicated to making it easy and affordable to do the right thing for animal companions.
Click Here to Get A Personalized Recommendation from Pawlicy Advisor
