• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Getting pet insurance? Choose the perfect plan for it

Posted September 11, 2020

Happy bulldog puppy gets vet exam. When choosing pet health insurance plans, consider premiums, deductibles, whether the plan covers diagnostic testing, and more.
When choosing pet health insurance plans, consider premiums, deductibles, whether the plan covers diagnostic testing, and more.

Pets are close to our hearts, and we love them to death. No one wants anything bad happening to their dog or cat. However, just like humans, they’re living creatures, and more often than not, they could fall sick or get injured and need to be treated. Veterinary care usually costs a lot and can, under dire circumstances, become unaffordable, which is an added headache over the emotional burden of a sick pet.

Hence just like you have health insurance for yourself, it only makes sense to keep your pet covered, given how much pet health insurance costs, which isn’t a lot. After all, we have only ourselves to blame and be sad if we can’t get our sick pet treated, and they keep suffering.

What to keep in mind while choosing pet health insurance plans?

Contents

  • What to keep in mind while choosing pet health insurance plans?
    • 1) Don’t always opt for the most affordable plan
    • 2) Check particular use cases
    • 3) Convenience
    • 4) Pay first policy
    • 5) Not just for a dog or cat
  • What a good pet insurance plan looks like
    • 1) A lower deductible
    • 2) Covers diagnostic fees
    • 3) Covers pre-existing conditions
    • 4) Preventive care
  • Conclusion
    • Related Posts

Much like human health insurance, there is nuance in choosing plans that apply to your particular scenario.

1) Don’t always opt for the most affordable plan

While cheap plans can help you save a buck or two, it may not save the life of your pet. In which case, it is not worth it. Cheap pet insurance plans are usually fundamental and cover minor illnesses, things your pets may not ever need. Sometimes cheap plans only cover costs up to a specific limit, making you pay later anyway.

2) Check particular use cases

As an owner, you know best what afflicts your pet. So, if you think you have a hyperactive poodle, who gets himself into trouble all the time, opt for an accident-only plan. If you bought a dog with a congenital defect that gives him trouble in the future, buy a lifetime plan that covers its chronic illness.

3) Convenience

Check out the quotations within the policy that you buy. Keep convenience in mind. A lot of pet health insurance plans offer you the freedom to choose your veterinarian, and thus you can go for higher cost but better treatment. Similarly, some quotes are more straightforward and less restrictive than others. Some others offer higher premiums. The average monthly price for a dog with the lowest tier policy was less than $14 per month. The top plan averages $98 monthly. Select one that suits you and your pet’s needs best.

4) Pay first policy

Pet health insurance plans differ from human insurance at the time of payment. This is a bummer, but essentially you need to pay the vet yourself and send the amount to your insurance company to get paid by them later. Thus, the insurance does not pay your vet directly. For all the benefits that pet insurance offers over human insurance, this can be a severe turn off for prospective buyers.

5) Not just for a dog or cat

Exotic pets also deserve healthcare. Sometimes more so than cats or dogs. However, it is often difficult to insure them. Most insurance, after all, covers dogs. In this case, it is better to look at Veterinarian Pet Insurance (VPI) that covers rarer species of pets.

What a good pet insurance plan looks like

Keeping the above points in mind, let us build perfect pet health insurance plans.

1) A lower deductible

Depending on your plan, your deductible needs to be paid for each renew cycle or with each new incident. Always opt for pet health plan that diminishes this value every payment cycle by a certain amount, as your investment grows over time.

2) Covers diagnostic fees

Some insurance companies scam you into signing agreements that only pay for treatments but exclude examinations. Remember, no treatment is possible without clinical examinations and laboratory diagnosis, and a half-decent plan should cover these things. If a plan doesn’t cover this, don’t get it. Simple.

3) Covers pre-existing conditions

Diseased pets deserve love and health care. However, most money-grabbing pet insurance refuses to cover prior defects after a thorough workup. However, some do, and if your pet has a condition you’re aware of, you should scour hard for these benevolent companies. If at least they even cover curable conditions, it affords your beloved pet relief from pain that can easily be cured with money.

4) Preventive care

While most pet health insurance plans cover diseases, quite a few refuse to cover regular health check-ups, vaccination, cleaning sessions, pet grooming, etc. We all want our pets to be healthy, and cleanliness and vaccines are a big part of that. Thus, looking for plans that meet these requirements is definitely worth your while.

Conclusion

Pets are valued members of our families, and it’s heartbreaking to see our pets suffer. Immediate treatment becomes a priority, and not affording the level of care your pet deserves can be a useless burden in times of stress. Pet health insurance plans are a blessing during these times, as long as you follow the plan we have laid out for you.

Warning signs: 9 dog illness symptoms and what they mean

 

Related Posts

  • pet insurance for dogs
    5 things you need to consider when looking for pet insurance

    Buying pet insurance for dogs? You need to look at…

  • White pit bull covered with lipstick kisses. Getting pet insurance for rescue dog provides you with peace of mind and helps cover unexpected medical and dental costs.
    Does my rescue dog need pet insurance?

    Getting pet insurance for rescue dog provides you with peace…

  • Veterinarian holds Golden Retriever puppy chewing on stethoscope. Pet health insurance helps keep dogs healthy by removing barriers, encouraging preventive care, and diagnosing lifelong conditions early.
    How pet insurance can help you protect your pet's health

    Pet health insurance helps keep dogs healthy by removing barriers,…

  • how pet insurance works
    Insider shares tips to understand how pet insurance works

    Expert Todd Erkis discusses everything you need to know about…

  • pet insurance pre-existing condition
    Three ways to get help if pre-existing conditions limit pet health insurance

    Buy pet insurance when your dog is young and less…

  • find a veterinarian for your dog
    What pet insurance companies don't tell you

    Compare monthly premium prices, coverage options, excluded treatments, and check…

  • Dog vaccines are injected in the scruff of the neck.
    Dog vaccines: What you need to know to protect your puppy

    Not all dog vaccines are created equal. Several like rabies…

  • Male vet holds Maltese puppy. When determining the right time to neuter your dog, consider your dog's breed, size, and sex, and consult with your veterinarian.
    When’s the right time to spay or neuter my dog?

    When determining the right time to neuter your dog, consider…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health Tagged With: Dog health insurance

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

PomeranianSmall dogstraining tipsWaterTwo dogsSeparation anxietyTicksValentine's DayService dogsVeterinarianPotty trainingOld dogsWorking dogsPet parentsPet sitterThanksgivingYorkshire terrierRottweilerSheddingPetfinder.comPawOutdoor activitiesPoodleVacation dog carePuppy kindergartenPuppy-proofPandemicRescue dogSocializationPit bull

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Use 5 factors to choose the best veterinarian for your dog
    Research thoroughly and consider location, services, experience, cost, and staff before choosing the right vet for your dog. […]
  • Fight insomnia: 12 tips to help your dog get good sleep
    The most common cause of canine insomnia is pent-up energy. Help your dog sleep all night by ensuring it gets enough exercise. […]
  • Dog fears: 10 ways to fight separation anxiety
    Separation anxiety is one of the most common dog fears. Use our 10 steps to help your dog become more confident and overcome her fear of being left alone. […]
  • Is amoxicillin safe? What antibiotic is most effective for dogs?
    Consult your vet before giving your dog antibiotics. Know when your dog needs medication and watch for allergic reactions. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.