In the same way that health insurance covers hospital and doctor visits for people, pet insurance provides the same type of medical coverage for your four-footed best friends. Pet insurance is a great way to help you take the sting out of any unexpected veterinary bills and is sometimes an overlooked part of becoming a pet owner. However, doing research into what pet insurance would be best for your animal companion can be overwhelming. Keep reading to see our top 10 questions to ask when finding the best pet insurance for your furry (or scaly) friend!
Pet Health Discount vs. Comprehensive Insurance Plan
There are two very different ways you can cover your pet’s health: either through a health discount plan or comprehensive coverage. With a discounted fee plan, you pay an annual fee and get discounted veterinary and similar pet services. A comprehensive insurance plan basically functions similar to a human health insurance plan – just for your pet.
Can I Choose My Vet?
Different pet insurance plans have different rules. Check to see if your favorite vet is included as a provider for the pet insurance you’re interested in before purchasing.
What is Excluded?
Much like human health insurance, pre-existing conditions or hereditary defects may not be covered in the insurance policy you are researching. However, some plans may cover common exclusions for an additional fee.
Waiting Period
Like many insurance policies, there will likely be a waiting period in order for the policy to take effect. It’s important for you to have this information front of mind whenever you bring home your new animal friend.
Regular Check Ups
If you’re looking into comprehensive coverage for your pet, be sure to research your preferred policy to see if standard pet care such as immunizations, heartworm testing and dental care is also covered.
Is Spaying or Neutering Covered in Pet Insurance?
Having this service covered in your pet insurance policy is great to have as you will likely be using it unless you are planning to breed your animal. This will probably not be covered in basic illness and accident pet insurance programs but is sometimes included in wellness and preventative care insurance plans.
Prescription Coverage
As veterinary medicine advances, the probability that your pet will need routine medication is increasing. It’s always good to investigate and see if the insurance policy you’d like to purchase would help cover this cost.
Illness or Incident Caps
Pet insurance usually includes “caps” or limits on how much the insurance company will pay for a specific incident. For example, a broken leg will usually have a different cap than spaying or neutering your pet.
Pet Insurance Deductibles
Similar to your health insurance plan, different pet insurance plans require different deductibles. Remember that the smaller the deductible the higher the premium. You can reduce your pet insurance cost if you accept a higher deductible by sharing a larger portion of the cost with the insurance company when you make a claim.
Is the Company Reputable?
It’s always worth doing your “due diligence” when exploring a new insurance provider. There are multiple sites online that allow you to research reviews from pet owners and compare various plans. Pawbamacare is a great online marketplace for pet insurance if you want to compare multiple plans in one location.
Dunham Insurance Services is an independent agent offering premium insurance products throughout Florida as well as the rest of the United States. If you’re interested in finding a specific type of pet insurance coverage or want to revise your current pet insurance policy, don’t hesitate to contact us today to get a custom rate quote today!
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