Getting pet insurance? Choose the perfect plan for it

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?

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.

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