Every pet lover, who is usually also a pet owner, can appreciate the importance of having veterinary insurance in order to protect their animal against illnesses and the need for expert veterinary care. Many pet owners also feel that their animals are part of the family, which makes the decision to purchase pet health insurance a “no brainier” to keep them protected. Although many would argue that insurance coverage can be costly, the truth is that it would be much more expensive for individuals to protect their pets without pet insurance, especially when they are continually faced with rising vet bills.
Ironically, pet health insurance works quite similarly to a human’s insurance plan. Whether it’s for dog insurance or cat insurance, one of the first things pet owners should consider is when to enroll their animal. This particular factor is especially important because it can affect cost. The younger a person’s animal is when the veterinary pet insurance policy is purchased, the better the chances are for the premium to be lower. This is because the extent of the vet care usually needed is often limited to regular check-ups and routine shots during the animal’s younger years. However, as an individual’s pet begins to grow older and perhaps show signs of deteriorating health, the pet insurance premiums also rise accordingly to cover the costs for added care.
There are many different things individuals should expect when choosing a pet insurance policy to protect their furry little friends, including the following:
1. Initial contact
When choosing a policy for their animal, one of the first things pet owners can expect is the insurance company to contact their veterinarian for the purpose of obtaining their animal’s medical history. Insurance companies usually perform this act to look for any pre-existing medical conditions that may exist, as well as to ensure that pet owners are maintaining their animal’s health with regular examinations and shots. Once the insurance company processes this information, they are able to provide individuals with a more accurate insurance quote for coverage.
2. Age limitations
Insurance companies tend to have an age limit for enrollment purposes, which is why it’s very important for pet owners to be aware of this fact. These limitations usually vary depending on the type of animal needing coverage, as well as the insurance company in question. For dog insurance, the average age is usually between five and eight years old, depending on the particular breed. For cat insurance, the average age accepted for enrollment by insurance companies is typically up to 10 years old.
3. Policy exclusions
After pets are accepted under an insurance plan, owners can expect to receive a notice of any exclusions to the policy that may apply. Exclusions are usually given for symptoms that an animal is being currently treated for.
4. Coverage Types
Good pet insurance companies should provide several types of coverage for an individual’s animal. The following are a few examples of what pet owners can expect the insurance policy to cover:
- Veterinarian visits – routine & emergency
- Boarding fees – these fees cover the costs associated with placing animals in boarding if they are ever hospitalized.
- Lost pet coverage – costs that a pet insurance company covers for advertising and reward money needed to find a lost or stolen pet.
- Vacation plan coverage – this type of coverage finances an individual’s costs for canceled vacation plans as a result of sudden pet illness.
In many cases, individuals own more than just one pet, which can work to their advantage as insurance companies tend to give a discounted rate for policies with multiple pets. It’s also important to remember that a big part of keeping animals healthy and happy is purchasing adequate pet insurance. Coverage is also necessary to keep vet costs as low as possible so that pet lovers can continue to enjoy the company of their animals for years to come in spite of any financial set backs.