Pet Insurance 101
Just like us, pets can require unexpected medical treatment. Many people only consider emergencies such as getting hit by a car, but truthfully, your pet is probably more likely to have a bout of GI upset, eat a toy, or develop issues like arthritis or allergies, all of which can be costly to diagnose and treat. When the unexpected happens, pet health insurance can help prevent finances from playing a role in determining what care you can provide for your pet. In this article we will go over the many advantages of having pet insurance with tips from our own Dr. Andrew Bean.
“Covering sick visits is very helpful and often times makes the decision to run tests and treatments much easier for the owner.”- Dr. Bean
Pet health insurance typically involves a monthly premium, so you may be asking yourself, “Is this an investment I want to make?” When determining if pet health insurance is the right fit for you and your pet, it’s important to note the many ways it can improve a bad situation:
Pet health insurance gives you peace of mind that should your pet end up in an unexpected emergency, you will never have to deny them the care that they need. Whether it be ingested thread or a scuffle at the dog park, pet health insurnace lets you rest easy knowing your pet is covered.
Pet health insurance allows pet owners to prioritize the best possible medical care for their pets. Alleviating some of the financial burden of a pricey procedure or treatment ensures pets can receive the best possible care- no questions asked.
Pet health insurance protects pet owners who know they cannot afford a medical emergency out of pocket.
Do Your Homework
Pet health insurance is not one size fits all. There are cat-specific and dog-specific plans. There are plans that only cover sick visits and emergencies and others that offer wellness coverage. There are plans that cover the full cost and other plans that have deductibles or only cover a percentage of the total invoice.
No pet health insurance will pay for pre-existing conditions so the sooner in life you insure your pet, the more it will cover.
Some pet health insurances have special exclusions that are breed specific so be sure to ask them.
Make sure your preferred clinic accepts your provider (BLVD Vet accepts all major plans, but recommends ASPCA Pet Health Insurance who has no network restrictions.)
Research to find one that makes sense for you and your pet’s needs. Contact representatives to ask additional questions.
Get a quote. Most insurance providers will provide a calculator that will give you a quote for monthly premiums for your dog or cat based on their age, location, and sometimes breed.
How It Works
Pet health insurance providers typically require an exam to start so they have a baseline for the current health of your pet. If your pet is due for a wellness or a puppy/kitten exam, this is the perfect time to apply for pet health insurance.
One you have pet health insurance, if your pet has a medical visit, you would submit your claim (online, by mail or by fax.) Typically they just require an invoice and a medical note to support the claim.
Pay the invoice at the time of service and have reimbursements directly deposited into your bank account. Some insurance companies are able to coordinate paying the veterinarian directly if paying out of pocket first is not possible.
“If owners are thinking about getting insurance, I usually recommend them doing it as soon as possible. Anytime your pet has an issue prior to getting insurance it would be classified as a pre-existing condition and not covered. This is super frustrating with skin issues and other chronic diseases.”
We all want the best for our pets and providing them with the care they need can be made much easier by utilizing pet health insurance. Still have questions on how it works? Don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are always here for you and your pets.