Owning a pet is a big commitment, and it takes a lot of care to keep your furry friends healthy and happy. Since one of the biggest costs associated with pet ownership is health care, it makes sense to mitigate that cost the best way possible. Many people seek out the best pet insurance for their companions but don’t know where to start. Here are a few tips to help you find pet insurance that will keep both your pet and pocketbook in great shape!
Pet Insurance Preliminary
While human health insurance is a complicated maze of providers, referrals, and networks, pet insurance is much simpler. Traditional insurance companies negotiate with certain providers to balance out costs, creating a pricing structure that is often hidden behind the scenes. Instead of paying the provider, most pet insurance plans reimburse the pet owner instead.
After being billed from your vet clinic, customers submit their claims, and reimbursement comes from the insurance company within a few weeks. Because there is no network to fumble around with, you have the freedom to that you and your pets both love. You’ll also know exactly what your reimbursement will be since the plan will list percentages and co-pays with no hidden fees or complex billing structures.
Finding a Plan
Even though pet insurance is easy to understand, there are still different aspects to coverage that will make each company and policy unique. Finding the right company may take some research, but once you know what kind of plan you need singling out the best option won’t be difficult.
1. Know Your Animals
Every animal is different, and the best pet insurance for your cat might not be right for your friend’s iguana. There are several factors that go into choosing a plan, including your pet’s age and whether it has prior illnesses. It’s always a good idea to shop for insurance while your furry friend is still young since many companies do not cover the cost of pre-existing conditions.
In addition, some insurance companies increase premiums as your pets grow older. is difficult enough without needing to worry about its policy. Staring plans younger may help keep those increases down since preventative care can spot conditions before they become too costly to treat. It’s always a good idea to check the fine print, too, so you won’t be surprised if the ER visit for your guinea pig isn’t covered by your policy!
2. Different Kinds of Coverage
While there are many differences between pet insurance companies and select policies, there are several aspects of every plan that are typically covered. If you’re looking for a more specific service or treatment, you may need to examine each policy more closely. Some of the most common coverages include:
- Illness, including common maladies and more serious conditions
- Emergency care such as car accidents, bites, or poisonings
- Diagnostic blood tests, CT scans, and ultrasounds
- Prescription foods and medicine
- Microchipping
Some plans will also include spaying or neutering and dental care as well, but there are some treatments that aren’t normally included. Grooming, even if it is for the animal’s health, is not considered a necessary coverage. Training plans, supplements, and breeding needs are not usually included, either. Most importantly, check to see how the plan covers pre-existing conditions and “cosmetic” surgeries, things you might deem important, but insurance companies don’t want anything to do with.
3. Budget Concerns
Some people think the best pet insurance has to be the most expensive, but that’s not always the case. Even if you have difficulty affording full coverage options, most insurance companies have several tiers of policies so pet owners can still get the services they need to keep their animals healthy. There are typically four types of plans:
- Comprehensive coverage: These policies cover most types of incidents, but usually at a premium price tag.
- Accident and Illness: A more selective option, these policies are great for owners who don’t need general coverage but want to have peace of mind in case the worst should occur.
- Accidental Injury: This is a great choice for younger pets since their likelihood of illness is much less than older patients, but they’re still likely to get into injury-causing mischief.
- Wellness Coverage: While not a plan by itself, many insurance providers include wellness plans as an add-on to help make sure potential conditions are treated before it’s too late.
While it may be tempting to choose a plan with all of the bells and whistles, the best pet insurance is a policy that you can afford. After all, a pet is supposed to add joy to your life, not the stress of a financial burden.
Insuring a Future
Choosing a pet insurance plan shouldn’t be a hassle. Your veterinarian may have advice on businesses they recommend as well. Understanding your pet’s needs, looking closely at coverage, and choosing a fitting policy for your needs will go a long way to keeping your companion part of the family for a long time!