Pet Insurance
The best pet insurance for your pet is one that provides a level of coverage you’re comfortable with and fits your budget for monthly premiums. When choosing your plan, consider how much medical care (for accidents and illnesses) is typical for your pet’s breed and whether you want to include wellness coverage for preventive care.
When should you enroll your pet in an insurance plan? AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! When you have adopted a new kitten or puppy, or an adult cat or dog, ideally you should select and purchase a plan prior to the pet’s first visit to the veterinarian. In addition, you can save on pet insurance costs by enrolling when your pets are still young, as your monthly premiums are guaranteed to be lower. The best time to sign up for a pet insurance policy is right after you bring your new friend home for the first time. The sooner you get coverage, the better prepared you will be if your pet gets sick or injured.
AAHA (the American Animal Hospital Association) offers the following suggestions:
- Be sure you understand what the policy covers. Some policies will cover some preventive care, such as vaccinations, but there may be an additional cost for this coverage.
- Understand the exclusions. Almost all policies exclude pre-existing conditions and some exclude hereditary conditions. Some may exclude certain conditions unique to certain breeds.
- Almost all policies have a deductible and a copay requirement. Some pay according to a set schedule of “usual and customary fees,” while some pay based on the actual incurred expense. Be sure you understand how expenses will be reimbursed.
- Ask whether the policy allows you to seek care from a veterinarian of your own choosing or whether you must go to a veterinarian that participates in the company’s network of providers. When faced with a pet’s serious illness, most pet owners want to be able to obtain care from their regular veterinarian.
- Speak with your veterinarian or someone on the practice team. While veterinarians do not sell insurance, chances are they have had some experience with the provider you are considering and can provide helpful advice.
Why do we think pet insurance is important?
- 1 out of 3 pets will need emergency care in its lifetime, which can cost thousands
- If a pet gets sick or injured, insurance can cover (reimburse) treatment & tests
- Clients can also get reimbursed on routine/preventive care if they have a routine care plan
Bellevue Animal Hospital also has information available about several companies who are not currently partnered with or included in a Pawlicy Advisor comparison search, including Nationwide Pet (formerly VPI, and the #1 brand of pet insurance in the U.S. since 1982,) Trupanion, Healthy Paws, PetPlan, PetPartners, Lemonade, Pumpkin, Felix Cat Insurance, and more. We would be happy to provide you with brochures for contact information and more details on the company you are interested in researching.
Pet Insurance FAQ
- What does a pet insurance policy cover?
Depending on which plan you select, coverage will include: medical treatments and surgeries for minor problems such as ear infections and bee stings, as well as major problems like broken bones, diabetes, cancer, and foreign body removal surgery. Each policy covers one pet only.
- How much does the insurance cost?
Rates are based on the plan you select. Pet insurance is generally affordable. The average monthly premium is $29 for a cat and $47 for a dog, but it is important to recognize that there is a wide range in pricing (many see rates as low as $12/mo., others might see rates as high as $100/mo.) depending on a few key factors such as your pet’s breed, size, and age; your location; common indoor and outdoor risks in your area; your provider; your deductible; etc. Multiple pet discounts are often available when you insure more than one pet. Military or other discounts may also be available.
- How does reimbursement work?
Pet insurance typically works on a reimbursement basis. This usually means that the client pays the veterinary office on the date of the visit and then files a claim for the reimbursement of the eligible expenses. Keep in mind that although some pet insurance companies offer the option to have them pay your veterinarian directly, most veterinary offices (including Bellevue Animal Hospital) will require that you pay your bill in full at the time of service, and then have the pet insurance company reimburse you. We will assist you with filing claims for any pet insurance company that you choose.
- What situations are not covered?
Like most types of insurance policies, there are generally some exclusions with pet insurance plans, to help keep your premiums lower. These often include: elective procedures such as spays, neuters, and declaws; grooming or nail trims; medical waste; tax; special diets or pet foods; over the counter accessories; record or copying fees; other fees or expenses not directly related to veterinary services such as shipping or handling; behavioral problems; congenital or hereditary defects; and medical conditions that are present prior to the policy effective date.
Vaccinations, routine teeth cleaning, and other annual routine care expenses such as heartworm tests and fecal tests are not covered under major medical plans, but may be available in optional add-on packages for Wellness Care Coverage.
Keep in mind that conditions covered by one insurer will not necessarily be covered by another if you decide to switch companies? While every pet insurer generally offers broad health coverage, it is important to dig deeper so you are sure to choose the right one for the long haul.
Which pet insurance company is right for me and my pet? Which plan should I buy?
https://www.pawlicy.com/new-search/
A free resource called Pawlicy Advisor can help you learn about and see pet health insurance options. Pawlicy Advisor will automatically analyze several of the top-rated pet insurance companies and compare all their quotes for your pet side-by-side.
There are currently about 40 pet insurance companies in North America (including the United States and Canada,) according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA.) Their website is an excellent source of reliable information if you would like to do further research on the best plan for your pet, and the advantages of pet health insurance in comparison to other financial planning for your pet’s health care needs.
Remember, pet health insurance gives you the power to tell your veterinarian, “Do what you need to do, I’ve got coverage …” without putting your finances at risk. Pet insurance provides peace of mind in the event of accidents or illnesses – it relieves a significant amount of the stress so that you can focus on getting your pet back to their best health. For about the cost of a cup of coffee a day, pet health insurance is the deal of your pet’s lifetime!
https://naphia.org/find-pet-insurance/naphias-pet-insurance-buying-guide/