Pet insurance can be a literal lifesaver if something happens to your animal.
This makes choosing an insurer one of the most important pet-related decisions that you’ll ever face. Because of this, you’ll want to have all of the facts when you do.
Here are just a few tips for finding pet insurance that will protect your furry friends when life throws a curve ball their way.
Figure Out Your Finances
It’s the elephant in the room when it comes to pet healthcare, so you might as well get it out of the way.
Look at things like deductibles, premiums, co-pays, and reimbursement policies.
Ask your shortlist candidates about any discounts being offered for new customers or new plans.
Do side-by-side comparisons between different insurance brands.
It’s better to crunch these numbers while Mr. Peaches is still healthy and you can afford to be picky.
Note the Exclusions
Some pet insurance policies won’t cover preexisting conditions.
Others might have restrictions or limitations based on things like size, body weight, and whether the health issue is hereditary to the breed.
You don’t want any unpleasant surprises when you go to file a claim, so do your homework about these things.
Don’t be afraid to call a pet insurance company and directly ask them about exclusions and denials.
Choose Your Coverage Type
If you’re only worried about injuries and illnesses, you can probably get away with a limited plan and low monthly premiums.
On the other hand, if you want your insurance to cover things like shots, check-ups, and heartworm prevention, you might need to splurge for more comprehensive coverage.
Keep in mind that there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to the pet insurance policy that’s right for you.
Read Reviews and Ratings
Look for reviews of pet insurers on the web.
Don’t rely on the testimonials that companies put on their own websites, however, because those can be faked or taken out of context.
Look for third-party reviews from unbiased sources.
Find any feature articles that have been written about them in magazines or newspapers.
You might also seek out the top 10 lists that compare and contrast different aspects of pet insurers.
These are just a few things to keep in mind as you look for pet insurance.
The most important thing is that you feel confident in the choice that you’re making.
Fido can’t decide on his own, so you have to step up and do it for him.
YVONNE WOODSTOCK
Wednesday 3rd of October 2018
I can see where pet insurance could really be a huge stress relief, especially for unexpected illness or injury. We have a cockatiel bird that is 10 and we have an Oriental Shorthair Cat that is 13 & we have had them both since they were 4 and 5 months old. There have been a few incidents we would have never expected with our cat where we were worried she wasn't going to make it and had to even rush her to a 24/7 vet hospital (which cost much more than her regular feline vet specialist even does!) We gasped at how expensive it would be, but fortunately they worked with us so we could pay it off, but that was just one situation where I can see that pet insurance would have been helpful. Our Medley and Cherish Biss are literally priceless to us!