The cost of veterinary care can add up quickly. Pet insurance can help offset these costs and give you peace of mind.
When shopping for pet insurance, be sure to compare prices and coverage options. Consider the annual limits, reimbursement rates and deductibles on each plan. Then determine if the policy is right for your family. Many pet insurance companies offer online quotes that let you see plans side-by-side with their reimbursement levels, deductibles and annual payout limits so you can make an educated decision.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a plan that covers both accidents and illnesses. These types of policies are typically more expensive but can provide comprehensive protection for your dog or cat. Be sure to check whether the plan covers hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or patellar luxation and chronic illness coverage such as cancer and ear infections.
Also, consider the type of alternative treatments the policy covers. For example, some insurers cover physical therapy, acupuncture and other treatments but others don’t, limit these treatments or charge extra for them.
It’s also important to read the fine print to know what is not covered by a particular policy. For example, some pet insurance plans may not pay for wellness exams or may only reimburse part of the exam fee if the pet is already sick or injured. Also, some pet insurance plans have age limits for first-time enrollment or exclude certain breeds from coverage altogether.
Some puppy insurance providers also have a separate category for hereditary conditions and congenital conditions that are inherent in the pet’s genetics and not related to trauma or disease. In general, these types of conditions are more likely to affect some breeds than others and are not covered by standard plans.
Pre-existing conditions are medical problems that your pet had before you bought the policy or that cropped up during a waiting period before coverage started. They are almost always excluded from standard pet insurance policies and may also be excludable from extended or rider coverages.
There are many different pet insurance providers and plans out there and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Be wary of simple review aggregators and be sure to dig into the policy details to understand the context behind each experience and the actual pricing of each provider. Also, be sure to look at the pet insurance calculators on Pawlicy Advisor that show custom comparison charts of top providers ranked based on breed-specific health risks and lifetime pricing. This is the best way to find a plan that meets your needs and budget. puppy insurance