Pet Tips

What To Look For When Choosing Pet Insurance
Pet insurance plans aren’t much different from what is available to humans. If you are planning to get pet insurance do the research and get the right policy the first time. Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering pet insurance:
1. What is and is not covered in the plans policy.
A. Is there a waiting period for some services or coverages when setting up an initial plan?
B. What are the “Exclusions” or conditions not covered by the plan?
a. Are hereditary and congenital conditions (hip dysplasia, diabetes, heart defects, cruciate ligament tears, orthopedic issues, etc.) excluded?
b. Are wellness and routine veterinary visits excluded?
c. Are there age restrictions? Breed restrictions? Age and breed restrictions are not uncommon.
d. Are emergency treatments or visits excluded? Are all/some medications excluded?
e. Are alternative treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathic or physical therapy if recommended by your vet excluded?
f. Are treatments for behavioral problems carried out by a trainer or under the supervision of a vet excluded?
g. If your pet has an extended stay at the veterinarian are kenneling costs excluded?
2. Claim Processing.
A. Do they pay your vet directly or reimburse you? How long does payment or reimbursement take?
B. What is the frequency of payment or reimbursement? Yearly? Per occurrence? A combination of the two?
C. Is payment or reimbursement based on a percentage of the total cost of your pet’s treatment?
D. Is there a deductible? Is it an annual deductible or a per occurrence deductible?
E. Are there claim or reimbursement limits? There may be claim limits per year, per incident, or over the pet’s lifetime.
Make sure you get a plan you can afford. Some companies offer free trial periods and discounts. Make sure the companies plan fits your needs and budget – some plans may cost a little more but offer better coverage.

When it comes to customer service, don’t take the insurance company’s word for it. Make sure you check out independent third party websites and customer reviews to see how the company’s customer service stacks up. Also, check out the companies A.M. Best Rating to rate the financial stability of the company.

Here is a partial list of the many pet insurance companies out there: Healthy Paws, VPI, Pets Best, 24Pet Watch, Embrace Pet Insurance, and ASPCA pet insurance. Good luck!