Pet ownership is among the most rewarding experiences and the relationship you have with your dog is likely one of the most fundamental aspects of your daily life. Providing proper veterinary care is a central part of dog ownership, but it can be financially challenging.
Pet Care Expenses
In addition to the normal daily maintenance expenses, like dog food, grooming and other costs, there are the wellness visits to the vet as well as any emergency medical expenses which may pop up throughout your four-legged friend’s life. Pet insurance policies are one of the most practical and cost effective means of providing appropriate medical care for your canine companion.
Pet Insurance Policy Prices
Pet insurance plans are available in a range of price categories and cover different kinds of preventative, standard and emergent veterinary procedures. Some cover only major medical and emergent care, while others cover preventative and wellness services in addition.
Choosing an Insurance Policy
Of course, selecting a robust plan which covers a range of wellness visits, standard vaccinations, pet medications and preventative treatments is important, but you should understand that the plan premiums may be higher. Choosing a policy which also includes provisions for diagnostic procedures and emergency veterinary care is critical to getting the care your pet requires and for saving you money in the long run as well.
Ultimately, the type of plan you choose is up to you and will be based on your individual needs and your budget. Following you’ll find some hints for selecting a pet insurance policy and some details about the best policies available.
Coverage Options
It’s important to compare pet insurance policies before you settle on the right one for you. You should look at the coverage options available, including preventative and wellness options in addition to major medical or emergency care plans.
What’s Not Covered
Pet insurance policies all contain exclusions on coverage. Typically, these exclusions include any pre-existing conditions and congenital defects or health conditions. Health issues which can be prevented, like common illnesses against which your dog can be vaccinated, are also not covered by pet insurance policies.
Other things not covered include elective and alternative medical procedures, parasitic treatments and breeding expenses.
As previously mentioned, a pet insurance policy may or may not cover wellness or routine care. Many insurance companies provide options for adding a routine care provision to your pet insurance policy for an additional monthly premium expense.
Examine the Coverage Details
When you survey your pet insurance policy options, it’s important to read the fine print. This includes all of the coverage details. Ensure you understand what will and will not be covered by the plan before deciding if it is worth the expense of the premium costs.
Other Plan Options
Unexpected veterinary expenses can arise under a number of different circumstances, including everything from common illnesses and infections to serious accidents and injuries.
If your dog is injured as a result of an automobile accident, then a
pet car insurance policy, or an overall insurance policy which covers injuries sustained in auto accidents, is crucial.
The Top Pet Insurance Providers
Enrolling in a pet insurance policy with a well established, respected and highly reputable provider is in your best interest. While there are now hundreds of companies that offer pet insurance plans, there's only a handful which make the top of the list every time, including:
- Pets Best
- Petplan
- Healthy Paws
- VPI
Pets Best Insurance Plans
Pets Best offers four levels of pet insurance policies from which to choose, including a basic coverage plan, mid-level medical policy and a major medical plan. The “BestWellness” routine and preventative care policy can be purchased in addition to any of the other Pets Best insurance plans for an additional monthly premium expense.
Petplan Insurance Policies
Insurance policies from Petplan are available in three levels, with the entry level plan covering only veterinary expenses, while the “Bronze” and “Gold” cover veterinary and certain non-veterinary expenses.
Provisions in these two plans include coverage for expenses like kennel and boarding fees and advertising expenses and reward dollars for finding a lost or stolen pet.
Healthy Paws Insurance Coverage
Healthy Paws offers a single, comprehensive pet insurance policy. The insurance plan essentially covers everything except pre-existing conditions and routine/wellness care. In other words, Healthy Paws covers illnesses, injuries, emergency care and even ailments which result from genetic predisposition.
VPI Insurance Plans
VPI is the top pet insurance coverage recommended by veterinarians in the United States and offers four pet insurance policies from which to choose. Options include an injury/accident only plan, a comprehensive medical plan and a major medical plan as well as the “CareGaurd” routine/wellness option which can be added to any other plan level you purchase, for an additional monthly premium.
Shopping for Pet Insurance Coverage
Pet ownership is among the great joys in life. Do some comparison shopping before selecting your pet insurance policy and get your furry friend the coverage he or she deserves.
Author: Jessica
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