Pet insurance has allowed me to make emergency medical decisions for my pets with little thought about the costs involved.
Veterinary costs are constantly rising like everything else.
Yet last year, when my cat Bonzo suddenly became dehydrated and diagnosed with early onset kidney failure, he was treated immediately. The last thing on my mind was the thousands of dollars in vet charges about to be incurred.
Today Bonzo continues to be happy and healthy because of pet insurance.
Pet emergencies can cost thousands of dollars.
Several years ago my sister’s dog ran out into traffic, fracturing several bones. It was a very traumatic experience for everyone involved. The kids were crying, the dog was crying, bystanders were crying.
Making sure the dog wasn’t suffering was everyone’s type priority. Like me, my sister had pet insurance and so the issue of the thousands of dollars likely needed for treatment wasn’t even discussed.
He was rushed to the vet hospital, where he was treated for several days. When he came home, the smile on my nephew’s face as he ran up and welcomed his best friend home was truly priceless.
What is pet insurance?
Pet Insurance is a policy that covers your household pets such as cats and dogs as long as they’re healthy. Whether your dog or cat is mixed breed or pedigree most insurers will cover the animal for the whole of its life.
That means if an emergency medical situation arises, I can make the best choices for the comfort and health of my friend, rather than what best suits my pocketbook of the day.
What does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance usually covers more than just the vet bills. It can also cover emergency kenneling costs, theft and travel. Vaccinations and routine treatments such as worming and flea treatments are also excluded.
Millions of pet owners treat their animals like family.
I have four cats, who are members of my family. I have had pets my entire life. I cannot imagine the distress of being in a situation where my pet’s problem is curable but the cost is too high and I put my animal to sleep.
Or, I opt for less than ideal treatment again because of cost constraints.
I would never do that to my own children so why would I do that to my pets?
Pet insurance can give you the piece of mind that you are covered against unexpected bills.
Pet insurance can take away the financial worries when a pet is seriously ill.
Knowing this, when I first discovered pet insurance in the late 1980’s (while renewing my life insurance) I jumped all over it. At that time, $25 per month to cover three cats seemed like peanuts. Today, I pay $60 for 4 cats.
When should I get pet insurance?
I have insured all of my cats within the first six months of life.
It is often difficult to get insurance for older pets. Usually pre-existing illnesses will not be covered. That’s why it is important to think about insurance as soon as possible.
It is now possible to pay a monthly premium to insure your pet against veterinary fees.
Are there different levels of pet insurance?
Just like the different coverages on your life insurance policy, pet insurance plans are the same.
There are usually different levels of coverages available where different values or events are covered. Usually the higher the monthly payment, the greater the value of coverages.
Different aspects of coverages you need to review include: Vet’s Fees, Coverage for Life, Accidental Damage, Death from Illness, Death from Accident, Advertising & Reward, Theft or Straying, Third Party Liability & Legal Expenses, Boarding Kennel Fees, Holiday Cancellation Costs and Overseas Travel.
Bestpetresources.com is run by Drew Harris and is a one-stop-shop web portal for those shopping for pet insurance and pet meds. Multiple pages of resources, referrals and tools. Expert advice articles. http://www.bestpetresources.com
Tags: cat insurance, dog insurance, pet health insurance, pet insurance, pet meds
The requirement for pet insurance can be easily justified, and after a few regular visits to the vet, it is not difficult to understand why. The cost of vet care can come across as a little unreasonable for routine visits, and even more so when it is due to an unexpected visit. With a pet health insurance plan, you can drastically cut these costs down to a level that you can afford. It takes very little time for us to become attached to our pets, and we grow to love them more than was thought possible. However, being a pet owner can be quite a hefty responsibility, as they become dependant on us for food, affection, care and their well-being. It is not possible with a busy lifestyle to constantly keep our animals out of harms way, and unfortunately, mishaps do happen. Pet insurance or a dog insurance plan can help with the financial burden of costly medical bills.
Absolutely free non committal pet insurance quotes are there to assist you in finding the best deals, and applications are very user friendly for your convenience. Within a very short time, our pet helth insurance specialists will find you the best possible rates, which will surely save you money in the long run. For as little as under ten dollars per month, your pet can be covered for needed treatment due to broken bones, swallowing of foreign objects, cuts, scrapes, vaccinations, dental care and some diseases. Plans do varry, and it is encouraged to shop and compare to find the appropriate coverage for you. Our pets spend a considerable amount of time alone, and can sometimes get themselves into hairy situations. Dogs are a good example, and the high demand for dog insurance among dog owners is no surprise, as they are commonly exposed to potential dangers.
We want to take as good a care of our pets as we can, and pet health insurance is very useful to hep us do that. Our pets rely on us, and we have a duty as responsible pet owners to come through for them in times of need. Animals get sick or can require emergency surgeries just like people do, and veterinary bills can accumulate to levels that can add a great deal of stress, as misfortunes usually have a habit of appearing at the worst of times. Such large sums of money can leave us torn between postponing your pets needed treatment, which can potentially put your pet through unnecessary pain and suffering, and exposing yourself to serious financial hardship. For a very small monthly fee, you can avoid having to make this decision with a pet insurance or dog insurance plan.
Dean Cecere is author and owner of insurancecoverage-quotes.com where you will find useful information regarding various types of insurance coverages.
Tags: dog insurance, pet health insurance, pet insuranceLet’s face it - Fido and Fluffy are an important part of your family. Do you want to have to assign a dollar value to them if they become sick or injured?
That may well be the case if you don’t have pet health insurance. Rising veterinary costs mean that pet owners can pay hundreds - and even thousands - of dollars for their pets’ health problems. As the bills stack up, uninsured pet owners must determine how much they are willing to spend on their animal friend. It can be a heartbreaking decision to make.
Much like insurance for health, cars and homes, pet insurance helps people put a little money away now to avoid a major payout later. Coverage and cost vary, so it’s important to thoroughly research the options if you decide to insure your pet.
Step one: Determine if Pet Insurance is Right for You
When people decide to get a pet, they often don’t consider how they will deal with the inevitable unexpected illnesses or accidents. Keeping a pet indoors by no means eliminates all the hazards. They can still swallow foreign objects, ingest a poison or injure themselves. As well, living indoors does not make a pet immune to disease and infection - particularly those that are common to their breed. Pets with access to the outdoors have even more opportunities to pick up a disease or get hurt.
Don’t have a dog or cat? Insurance companies are starting to offer plans that meet the needs of a variety of pet owners. Some now offer coverage for birds and exotic animals.
Not all owners are good candidates for pet insurance, however. Pet insurance is ideal for owners who deeply love their pets and are willing to spend a significant amount of money to keep them healthy and extend their life. They buy their cherished companions the best food and care they can afford, sometimes even putting their pets’ needs before their own. For this type of owner, pet insurance can be a smart investment that can prevent considerable costs and bring peace of mind.
Pet insurance is not a good investment for owners who don’t have a strong emotional tie to their pet. Owners who would rather have their pets euthanized than spend money on vet bills are not good candidates for pet insurance.
Step two: Decide What Type of Coverage You Want
Most pet owners will weigh two main considerations when shopping for pet insurance: budget and coverage. Peace of mind can also be an important factor, but far more difficult to quantify.
Pet health insurance is still relatively new in the United States and Canada, so the options available are fewer than for other forms of insurance. That said, North American pet owners can choose from a variety of coverage choices, ranging from injury/accident-only to all-inclusive.
As with all insurance products, the cost of pet insurance increases as the coverage improves. As a pet owner, you must decide what is the right balance between affordability and the care you want for your pet.
- Coverage
When choosing pet insurance coverage, first consider what kind of insurance customer you are. Do you prefer all-inclusive coverage that pays for everything from routine checkups and vaccinations to accidents and chronic illnesses, or are you comfortable with a lesser degree of coverage that just kicks in during emergencies? Perhaps you prefer a flexible plan that offers discounts on a wide range of services, from veterinary care to training. This decision will lay the groundwork for your final choice.
Some issues to consider:
* Make sure to check for coverage of pre-existing conditions as well as breed-specific genetic ailments, such as hip dysplasia for large dogs. Some plans refuse to cover these conditions.
* Some plans place limits on annual, per-incident, per-illness or lifetime costs.
* How old is your pet? Coverage usually starts at eight weeks, but some plans won’t cover pets over a certain age (usually between six and 10 years old, depending on the breed, type of animal and other factors).
- Cost
Payment options for pet insurance include flat fees or deductibles and/or co-payments. Not surprisingly, plans with lower monthly premiums come with higher deductibles and/or larger co-payments.
Some issues to consider:
* Insurance premiums are affected by the age, health and breed of your pet, as well as the type of animal.
* Some plans offers discounts for multiple pets.
* Plans generally require customers to pay the vet bill first and then submit receipts for reimbursement.
* Find out if the insurance premiums will increase as your pet ages.
* Depending on the plan you choose, the monthly premiums can range from less than $10 to about $40.
Step three: Choose an Insurer
You’ve determined what you can afford to spend and the amount of pet insurance coverage you want.
Before selecting an insurer, here are some final considerations:
* Make a list of your questions and priorities in advance. Make sure to answer or check off each item when reviewing plan options.
* Research the insurer thoroughly. Review its website and sales materials, read its testimonials, talk to other pet owners and look for on-line reviews. How long has the company been in business? Are its customers satisfied? Make sure you feel comfortable about everything you hear or read.
* Compare the plan’s benefit schedule with your vet’s fees to determine to what degree the plan will cover the actual treatment costs.
* Find out how quickly the insurance company reimburses customers’ claim payments and if it has claim deadlines.
* Read the fine print. Make sure you completely understand the plan’s benefits and, more importantly, the limitations. If something isn’t clear, ask - and get the answer in writing. Otherwise, you might find you don’t have the coverage you need if an accident occurs.
* Start a file for your pet. Use it for all receipts and insurance paperwork so you can keep on top of your claims and make sure you are maximizing your insurance investment.
Your responsibility as a pet owner doesn’t end with food, shelter and affection. Pet health insurance can give the smallest member of your family a longer and healthier life - and provide you with more time to enjoy the unconditional love it so willingly offers to you.
Burke Jones is a frequent contributor to Pet Health Depot.
Tags: cat medicine, dog medicine, pet, pet health, pet health insurance, pet insurance, pets