How to find the best pet insurance company for you
Selecting the appropriate pet insurance plan can appear complex due to the diversity in costs and plan options across different companies. To assist you in navigating this choice, keep in mind these guidelines before finalizing coverage for your pet:
Check whether your pet is eligible
For the little ones like puppies and kittens, most companies generally stipulate a minimum age of 6 to 10 weeks before they can be covered by insurance. Conversely, senior pets might encounter certain limitations during their initial enrollment with specific companies, potentially being limited to accident coverage. Nonetheless, once enrolled, the majority of plans extend coverage for the duration of your pet’s life, as long as you continue paying the premiums.
Research what’s covered
Typically, pet insurance plans cover expenses linked to surgeries, hospital stays, and medications for your pet’s illnesses or injuries. However, certain aspects might incur extra charges or might not be included in coverage by some companies. Here are a few practical instances:
- Examination fees: Imagine your dog injures a leg. While many plans might cover costs like X-rays, surgery, and pain relief, the fee for the veterinarian’s examination might not be covered in some cases.
- Alternative treatments and rehabilitation: Some companies integrate coverage for practices such as acupuncture and physical therapy in their standard plans, while others might require additional fees for these services.
- Behavioral therapies: Not all policies incorporate veterinary treatment for issues like aggression or behavioral problems.
- Prescription food: A few plans could omit coverage for prescribed food or supplements, even if your vet prescribes them for a covered condition.
- Dental care: Pet insurance policies can differ greatly in their coverage of dental care. For instance, your policy might not include dental problems like gingivitis or periodontal disease. Alternatively, it might cover such conditions only if your pet recently underwent a tooth cleaning. Certain optional wellness plans might include cleaning costs.
Remember, pet insurance policies generally exclude pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, and breeding-related expenses from their coverage.
Decide how much coverage you want
The realm of pet insurance encompasses plans with yearly payout restrictions, while a handful offer unlimited annual coverage. The appropriate level of coverage, one that provides a reassuring sense of financial security for addressing veterinary expenses, differs for each person.
During phases of your pet’s good health, you might traverse years without encountering expenses beyond routine care. Nonetheless, unforeseen surgeries or major illnesses could lead to costs reaching several thousand dollars.
Understand reimbursements and deductibles
In the pet insurance world, most plans work like this: you pay the vet bills, and then the insurance pays you back for part of it. When you first get the plan, you choose how much they’ll give you back—like 70%, 80%, or 90%.
But there’s another way some plans do it. Instead of giving you a percentage, they pay a set amount for certain treatments. This might be less than what the vet charges, so you have to cover the rest.
Every plan has a starting fee called a deductible. You pay this first before the insurance helps. You can choose your deductible, like $100 or $250. Some plans use the deductible for each thing your pet needs, while others just want you to pay it once a year.
Overall, it’s about balancing what you pay on your own and what you pay for the insurance. If you want to pay less when your pet gets treated, you might pay more each month for the insurance. If you’re okay with paying more at the vet but want to spend less each month, you might pick a plan with a higher deductible and lower refund.
Check waiting periods
Most plans have a short waiting time right after you sign up, like around 14 days. During this time, the plan doesn’t cover accidents or illnesses.
However, some plans make you wait longer for certain conditions. For instance, problems with cruciate ligaments, which are common knee issues in dogs, might have a longer wait. These ligaments help dogs walk properly, so their injury can make moving around tough.
Examine extra costs
Some pet insurance companies offer coverage for regular services like check-ups and shots. While this might sound good, it’s essential to think about the costs. Compare the yearly price of the wellness plan to what you’d usually pay for those services. Make sure to read carefully because what’s covered as “wellness” can vary between different insurance providers.
Compare Quotes
The price of insurance can differ based on the company and the coverage you choose. Some pet insurance providers have discounts available. For instance, covering more than one pet could lead to savings. But remember, a discount alone doesn’t guarantee the plan is the perfect fit.
To find the best insurance for your pet, it’s important to look closely at the details and get quotes from different plans. Make sure you’re comparing things like coverage amounts, deductibles, and reimbursement limits fairly across all the plans.