How To Find The Best Pet Insurance Company For You
The expenses and options offered by different pet insurance plans can vary between companies, making it challenging to select the right one. To find the best plan for your pet, keep these guidelines in mind before making your decision:
Check Whether Your Pet Is Eligible
For young puppies and kittens, getting insurance typically requires them to be at least 6 to 10 weeks old, depending on the company. Some companies might not allow first-time enrollment for senior pets, or they might limit them to accident-only coverage. However, once your pet is enrolled, most plans ensure lifelong coverage as long as you keep up with the premium payments.
Research What’s Covered
Pet insurance plans usually take care of expenses like surgery, hospital stays, and medications when your pet gets sick or injured. However, there are specific things that some companies might charge extra for or not cover at all. Here are a few examples:
- Exam fees: Imagine if your dog breaks a leg. While some plans might pay for X-rays, surgery, and pain meds, they might not cover the vet’s checkup fee.
- Alternative treatments and rehab: Some plans include coverage for things like acupuncture and physical therapy in their regular plans, while others might ask for an extra charge.
- Behavioral therapies: Not all plans cover vet treatment for behavioral problems like aggression.
- Prescription food: Certain plans might exclude food or supplements, even if the vet prescribes them for a covered issue.
- Dental care: Pet insurance plans differ on dental health. Some might not cover problems like gum disease or tooth issues. Alternatively, coverage might depend on recent teeth cleaning. Some wellness add-ons might pay for cleanings. Remember, pet insurance usually doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, or breeding costs.
Decide How Much Coverage You Want
Most pet insurance plans set a limit on how much they pay out each year, but a few don’t have this cap. It’s up to you to pick the amount that makes you feel secure about covering vet bills.
If your dog or cat is healthy, you might go years without needing to pay for more than regular checkups. But unexpected surgeries or major illnesses could result in bills that go into thousands of dollars.
Understand Reimbursements And Deductibles
In the world of pet insurance, most plans will pay back a part of your vet expenses. Usually, you can pick a level of reimbursement when you buy the plan, like 70%, 80%, or 90%.
On the other hand, some plans stick to a set fee for specific treatments, which might be less than what your vet charges. This means you’ll need to cover the extra cost.
Almost all plans also have a deductible—this is what you pay upfront before the plan starts covering costs. You usually get to choose from different deductibles, like $100, $250, or more. Some plans count the deductible for each problem your pet has, while most just need you to pay it once a year.
Generally, if you go for a lower deductible and higher reimbursement, your premiums will be higher. But if you choose a higher deductible and lower reimbursement, you’ll pay less in premiums.
Check Waiting Periods
Most plans come with brief waiting periods after you get the policy for full accident and illness coverage, usually about 14 days. During this time, the plan won’t pay for treatments.
For certain issues like cruciate ligament injuries, some plans have longer waiting periods. These ligaments help stabilize the knee, and injuries to them can affect a dog’s movement.
Examine Extra Costs
Some pet insurance companies offer coverage for regular services like wellness check-ups and vaccinations. While this might seem appealing, it’s important to consider if the added cost is really worth it. Compare the yearly cost of the wellness insurance plan to what you would normally pay for those services on your own each year. Make sure to carefully review the specifics, as what’s considered “wellness” can differ among pet insurance providers.
Compare Quotes
Insurance expenses differ based on the provider and the level of coverage. Certain pet insurance companies extend discounts; you could potentially economize by insuring multiple pets. However, a discount alone doesn’t ensure that a plan is the optimal choice.
The sole method to locate the most suitable insurance for your pet involves delving into the specifics and collecting quotes for various plans. Ensure you’re making an impartial comparison, considering similar coverage levels, deductibles, and reimbursement limits.