Pet insurance is a one-time fee that can save you money in the future. As pet owners, we can’t put a price on how much our pets mean to us. The truth is, your pets are priceless.
Losing your puppy, dog or cat can be heartbreaking. And yet the medical expenses for your pet could total thousands of dollars!
Veterinary bills are expensive so even one catastrophic injury or illness could leave you hundreds of dollars in debt.
Insuring your pet helps pay these bills for you when they happen by reimbursing you with the cost of veterinarians’ visits, tests ordered, and surgeries.
It is an important part of pet ownership, and you should consider it. Here’s a detailed post with all the information you need to know about pet insurance.
Please read below what is included in the policy, how to make the most of your coverage, and much more.
Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?
Some (not all) pet insurance covers the cost of spaying and neutering your dog or cat. However, there are some restrictions you should be aware of.
For example, it’s important to find out if the procedure is considered an elective surgical procedure by insurers. If so, this means that coverage may be limited to a certain age or percentage of coverage. This will vary from policy to policy.
Does pet insurance cover dental issues?
While this very much depends on the plan you choose, most pet insurance plans will cover at least a portion of certain dental procedures.
Many plans do include routine preventive care. It’s always a good idea to check with the insurer before signing up to learn which services they cover and how often.
Does pet insurance cover surgery?
Pet insurance rarely covers the cost of surgery. However, most health plans and pet wellness programs cover the cost of hospitalization for sudden injuries or illnesses.
The fact that many deals of pet insurance do not cover surgery is due to the high cost of surgeries, which can reach thousands of dollars.
Are vaccines included in the coverage?
Pet insurance covers vaccinations for your pet. It is important to check with your pet’s insurance provider and find out the requirements for vaccines in order to know what is actually covered.
Also, pet insurance does not cover all costs. So, it is important to still set aside money in order to restock on medicine and other essentials when dealing with pets, especially animals that get sick regularly.
Are hereditary and congenital defects covered?
Yes, genetic and congenital abnormalities in pets are usually covered by pet insurance plans.
Additionally, there are a number of conditions that are specific to certain breeds of animals.
In these instances, the insurance company may exclude coverage for some of the more specific breed-related conditions.
Will pre-existing conditions be covered?
No, the majority of the insurance policies cover new injuries and illnesses. Most policies exclude pre-existing conditions, which are medical conditions or injuries that you can show proof existed before your policy coverage.
The medical issue may have been diagnosed by a veterinarian, a general practitioner, or even just a family doctor.
Additionally, it is important to provide thorough details about your pet’s health during the application process so that you are covered in the event of an accident.
How long do I have to wait for the insurance to take effect?
For all insurance policies, including life insurance, a set time frame must pass before the policy begins to cover injury or illness under your plan. This time period is called the waiting period.
Some plans offer immediate coverage. However, most will be subject to a specific period of time allowing for an investigation period before coverage begins.
Overall, there should not be a long wait for your insurance policy to take effect, but it is important to read all the terms and conditions before buying.
Is teeth cleaning included in the insurance?
Yes, pet insurance will cover routine teeth cleaning. Many pets are prone to tartar build-up due to genetics or certain diets. Tartar build-up can lead to plaque buildup, which can lead to oral infections that may require a pet tooth extraction.
Many insurance plans designate annual or semi-annual teeth cleanings as preventative care that will help keep your pet healthy and living a long life.
Does pet insurance cover cataract surgery?
Yes. Pet insurance will almost always cover cataract surgery as a preventive measure. Total and complete blindness is the main reason why cataract surgery becomes vital to animals—as well as humans. Without cataract surgery, your pet would lose its sight.
Even if it’s less invasive and doesn’t change her appearance, cataract surgery is still a kind of eye surgery that the insurance usually covers.
Is prescription food covered in pet insurance?
Yes, food is considered a medical necessity as it allows your pet to live a healthy lifestyle. The majority of pet insurance plans do cover prescription food for your pet.
Also, an insurance plan will cover the cost of prescription food if it is used to treat a specific disease or medical condition and if such treatment is also approved by your vet.
What if I want to change the level of cover?
You can change your pet’s insurance cover level at any time. Each option can be changed as many times as you like during the policy term.
Once you have made a claim and have received your payment, you can apply to change the level of cover provided you haven’t made another claim against the policy.
However, changing the level of cover will be subject to acceptance by the insurance company.
Are pets of all ages eligible for pet insurance?
Yes, pets of all ages can be insured. However, the maximum premium for older pets will be higher than for younger pets.
The maximum premium for senior cats for example is considerably higher. For the best value, it is recommended that you insure your pets while they are younger.
What if I don’t want to continue with my pet’s policy?
You can cancel your pet’s policy at any time up prior to the scheduled end of the policy term. Your refund will be calculated according to your lender’s refund policy based on the number of payments remaining on your contract.
However, it is important you know this depends on the insurance company policy. For some, you may not get a refund if you cancel within the first 30 days of your policy’s effective date.
Do I get to choose my veterinarian?
Yes, some pet insurance companies will allow pet owners to choose their own veterinarian. They do not dictate which veterinarian one uses.
However, the majority of the insurance company owns the network of veterinarians and will assign you one based on their availability.
While with some you are only allowed to specify your preferred veterinarian to be used in case of a medical emergency.
Do I get to renew pet insurance when it elapses?
Yes, if you have an auto-renewal option on your plan. The insurance policy will automatically renew this policy at the end of the term, and send you a renewal notice.
It’s your decision whether to accept this renewal and continue to pay for the insurance. Just like humans, pets are prone to accidents and diseases, so you can renew the policy whenever you feel it necessary.
Will I have to pay a deductible?
Most major veterinary insurance plans do require that you pay a deductible before any reimbursement is made for your pet. The exact amount will vary by provider and policy, but this can be anywhere from $50 to $500 per incident.
Deductibles are the amount you may pay out of pocket before your pet insurance will cover expenses.
Are there any illness or incident caps?
Yes, pet insurance companies limit the payouts they will make for claims of specific illnesses and incidents.
An illness or incident cap is the maximum amount pet insurance companies will pay for a single condition such as bronchitis.
While most pet insurance companies don’t have a per-incident or per illness cap, it is important to read your policy for specific details.
This is especially important if you are facing problems with multiple pets on the policy.
Conclusion
Pet insurance is a great way to keep your young pet healthy and happy.
With the best pet insurance plans around, you can buy protection for peace of mind knowing you’re ready when unexpected medical problems occur.
It’s important to compare pet insurance companies. You should know what type of coverage they offer, how much it costs, and what is or isn’t included in your plan.
There are many different plans available. A basic plan will likely only provide your pet with minimal preventive care at an affordable cost.
You will also discover that some providers have additional services that give them an edge over their competitors.
Even if your policy covers routine procedures such as teeth cleaning, there may be limitations on the eye surgery portion.
It’s vital to review your policy before making any decisions. That’s the best way you can get the best out of your pet insurance.