In today’s world of escalating medical costs, pet insurance is almost a must. You never know when disaster will strike and veterinarian bills can easily cost as much as your doctor bills.
Consider for a moment that a gastric torsion (the intestines become entangled or the stomach flips) surgery can cost $4,000. Treatment for a heart condition might cost more than that. Cancer treatments can easily top $5,000. If you don’t have that kind of money to spare, seriously consider buying pet insurance so that your beloved pet can have the advantage of good medical coverage.
Before buying a pet insurance policy, check with several companies to compare policies. They are not all created equal! Read the fine print. Talk to other pet owners, breeders and trainers about their experiences with pet insurance.
Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions while shopping for a pet insurance policy. Be sure to inquire as to how reimbursements for medical expenses will be determined. Some companies pay according to a fixed benefits schedule. Others guarantee that a set percentage of the medical expenses will be paid.
Not all pet insurance policies cover wellness care, which includes examinations and vaccinations. Some insurance companies will offer different levels of policies, so be certain that you understand what you are buying. Pet policies can be as tricky to comprehend, as are policies for humans. The bottom line is that pet insurance companies are in business to make money, so be prepared to encounter terms such as deductibles, pre-existing conditions, exclusions, benefit limits, wellness care, waiting periods, premiums and reimbursements.
While you will encounter many of the same insurance terms, you will find that most pet policies differ from human insurance policies in that the pet policies are more like your homeowner’s policy than a human health coverage policy. That is largely due to the fact that you will be required to pay the pet’s medical bills at the time of service. Reimbursement is available after you submit the claim for which you have already paid.
Pet insurance varies widely depending on the geographic area in which you reside. Foreign countries offer different policies from those available in the United States.
Talk to your pet’s veterinarian about purchasing insurance. They should be able to make a suggestion based on your location and pet’s needs.
Some of the leading pet insurance companies in the United States market include ASPCA, Embrace, PetCare, Pets Best, PetFirst, Petplan, Purina Care, Trupanion and VPI. The Trupanion website, which is located at www.trupanionpetinsurance.com, has a tool to compare the terms of several pet insurance policies sold by the different companies.
No one knows what illnesses a pet may encounter in his or her life. Pets are living longer due to medical advances such as advanced surgical procedures, chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. While these advances are far from cheap, they can add years to your pet’s life. It is easy in today’s world to walk out of the veterinarian’s office owing thousands of dollars.
As sad as it may seem, having a pet insurance policy can sometimes be the difference between life and death for your pet.
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