Pets are like family, and they deserve to be treated as such. They need love, affection, medical care when they get sick or injured. When pets become older and more prone to illness or injury, pet insurance is an important consideration for their health and longevity. With so many pet owners spending upwards of $10k per year on vet bills alone (without insurance), it’s no wonder that people are looking for ways to save money on the costs associated with pets. Especially our four-legged friends who just want nothing more than to give us unconditional love in return! In this article, we discuss the importance of pet health insurance as well as what you should know before getting it.
Contents
- 1 Is Pet Health Insurance Worth Having?
- 2 Does It Save You Money?
- 3 Can Pet Insurance Be Used Anywhere?
- 4 Waiting Periods
- 5 What To Look For In An Insurance Plan
- 6 Types Of Coverage
- 7 1. Comprehensive Coverage
- 8 2. Accident Only Coverage
- 9 3. Accident & Illness Coverage
- 10 4. Wellness & Preventative Coverage
- 11 What Is The Average Cost Of Pet Health Insurance?
- 12 Factors to Be Aware Of Regarding Policy
- 13 Reimbursements:
- 14 Deductibles:
- 15 Annual Max:
- 16 How To Save And Get Lower Rates
- 17 Conclusion
Is Pet Health Insurance Worth Having?
The unfortunate fact is pets get sick and hurt just like we do. Without pet insurance, you are taking the risk that your pet could be left with serious injuries and illnesses without any way to pay for treatment. Pets are not disposable! Pets aren’t things; they’re living creatures who rely on us. Emergencies can happen at any time. Just like humans, you should expect your pet will need medical treatment at some point in its life. And pets cannot afford the medical expenses if they do get sick or injured!
Pets are often more insurable than humans because their age does not affect premiums as human health insurance rates do! That means older pets pay less on average over time even though they may have become ill while young before coverage began. Pet insurance is worth having as it offers you peace of mind with no worries about high veterinary bills or not being able to get the necessary treatment.
Does It Save You Money?
The answer is yes! It will save you money because pets insurance can also help to lower many costs that are often very expensive. Most plans will reimburse you for almost all of your pets’ costs! Some insurances will even pay back a percentage of vet fees upfront before treatment even begins! This means more money in your pocket when trying to take care of an unwell pet. It also takes away all stress knowing that pets are covered by insurance. Pet health insurance companies do everything within their power to ensure pets stay healthy by offering coverage against certain conditions both before any symptoms become visible as well as during times where pets need costly treatments.
Can Pet Insurance Be Used Anywhere?
If the vet or animal hospital is licensed, they accept insurance, and pets can receive proper care. This is not like human health insurance that may or may not is accepted at hospitals around the country. It can be used at any licensed vet or animal hospital in the United States. It has been made simple for pet owners to get the care they need.
Waiting Periods
When pets are first covered by their new pet health insurance they will often have a waiting period before the benefits become active. A waiting period is usually around 30 days and states that pets must be under your current plan for at least this amount of time before any claims can be made against it. After this initial wait, care received during an emergency or illness cannot be denied as long as pet owners follow all guidelines laid out in their policy from there on! This means no more worrying about how you’re going to pay veterinary bills when pets get sick!
What To Look For In An Insurance Plan
Some companies offer wellness plans that cover annual checkups, vaccines, and other preventative measures with no extra cost involved which is great for pets. Other companies offer wellness plans that you can sign up for any time you need a checkup or vaccine. Every Company is different and some pets may need more coverage than others. Make sure you do your research and find pet insurance that has all the coverage you want for less than paying out-of-pocket costs at veterinary clinics over time.
Types Of Coverage
There are many different types of plans that include coverage for accidents, illnesses, routine checkups, vaccinations, prescriptions like flea/tick preventatives, and more! All pets regardless of age (usually up until 14 years old) qualify for most plans with some exceptions. However, your insurer should be able to let you know which conditions would make them uninsurable. The main types of insurance are:
1. Comprehensive Coverage
This offers the most benefits and is a type of pet insurance that has the least restrictions. Some things it will cover include:
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- Chronic Illness
- Hereditary Problems
- Emergency Care
- Accidents
- Injuries
- Diagnostic treatment
- Prescription medications
2. Accident Only Coverage
This covers only injuries and accidents. It is the most basic form of pets insurance as it does not cover illnesses or hereditary conditions such as allergies, hip dysplasia, etc.
3. Accident & Illness Coverage
This plan will provide coverage for pets who need emergency care due to accidents or diseases/illnesses.
4. Wellness & Preventative Coverage
This covers regular checkups, vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures, and more.
Most companies will offer add-ons to these basic types of coverage as well, such as dental, prescription medications, and more.
What Is The Average Cost Of Pet Health Insurance?
The average monthly cost of pet health insurance will vary depending on your pet and your needs. It will also depend on which company you decide to go with as well. Different companies have different rates depending on how much pets will be covered and the conditions they have in place for their customers. Typically for a dog, it is about $40-$50 a month or $500-$600 a year and for cats, it is about $30-$40 a month or $300-400 per year.
Factors to Be Aware Of Regarding Policy
Reimbursements:
Many pet health care plans will reimburse you for a percentage of your pet’s treatment costs. This means that if pets get sick or injured and require expensive treatments, most owners won’t have to worry about how they can afford it. Insurance providers will pay back upfront sometimes before pets even receive the necessary medical attention!
Deductibles:
Your deductible is the amount you will have to pay out of pocket before pets insurance even kicks in. It can be anywhere from $0-$500 or more depending upon your chosen pet’s health care plan and deductible amounts for any conditions that pets may need treatment for on a monthly basis. So if pets get sick frequently, it is best to look into plans with lower deductibles as this means less money spent by owners when their pet becomes ill or injured.
Annual Max:
Most pet health care plans have an annual maximum. This is the amount that your pets insurance provider will pay out per year in claims for all pets combined, so you know how much coverage to expect when pets need medical treatment. It may be anywhere from $0-$15,000 or more depending upon various factors such as the age of pet and breed/species etc. So if most pets get sick often, this can significantly increase how much money owners spend on their pets overall each year!
How To Save And Get Lower Rates
Some providers will offer discounts for different things such as for pets who are young and healthy so getting it earlier is better. Some companies will also offer discounts depending on how you make your payments. For instance, some companies may offer a discount for pets who pay by the due date every month. Others will give discounts to pets who pay annually. If you have more than one pet, some pets insurance providers will also give you a small discount so it is always best to look into this. It really all depends on the provider you choose. Make sure to look into what they all offer and take advantage of the discounts and benefits they may offer.
Conclusion
By taking all of the above into consideration, it is easy to see why pet health care plans have become so popular over recent years and why they are definitely worth investing in today. They save owners money overall because most pets get sick often or need medical attention at some point during their lives. It is important if pets get sick or injured that pet insurance is always there to help you. It is well worth it so pets don’t have to suffer from unnecessary pain and their owners can easily afford veterinary costs.
