CHOOSING A PET INSURANCE POLICY
Choosing the Right Policy
Choosing the right pet insurance plan involves considering several factors to ensure you find a plan that meets both your pet's needs and your budget.
You have to take a close look at your pets needs. When your pet is young and healthy you don't give pet insurance much thought.
As your pet ages and you start to see changes in their health you should not wait to get coverage. Once your pet is diagnosed with a pre-existing condition, that medical condition will not be covered by a new policy. This is the reason you should get pet insurance on your pet while it is still healthy. Your premiums will be low and you will be prepared for all the life changing events.
You have to consider your pet's life style, is this a lap dog or a dog the works the farm herding sheep. If your cat stays on the couch all day then your risk are low, but if your cat is out every night getting into trouble then you must get comprehensive pet insurance coverage.
You have to look at your pet's life, when your pet is young you can get away with an accident only policy. But if you can afford it, you should get a comprehensive pet insurance policy that would include accident and illness.
No matter if you choose an accident only plan or an accident and illness plan you should get a wellness plan as a rider on your pet insurance policy.
Wellness plans are discounted when combined with a comprehensive policy because the wellness plan will keep your pet healthy and result in less claims to the pet insurance company. Preventive care like dental cleaning, vaccinations and wellness check-ups will prevent serious illness in the future.
When choosing a pet insurance plan you must consider the costs involved. There is the monthly or annual premiums, the deductible amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Then there is the co-pays you have to pay according to your policy, it is usually 10% of the bill. What are your annual limits of your policy, most pet insurance has a cap of payments you can receive each year. It is better to have a policy with no limit. I would rather have too much insurance than too little.
There are other limitations and exclusions to consider with a pet insurance policy. There are breed specific exclusions due to genetic problems that certain breeds of pets have and always show up during their life span. There are age limits, if your cat or dog is over 10 years old, you could have real problems getting coverage.
It's time to go shopping!
Get out there and start comparing policies and providers. Ask your friends and relatives about their pet insurance and experiences both good and bad.
Look for an Insurance company that has great customer service. Give them a call with a list of all of your questions and see how you are treated. Did they answer all your questions, were they polite and educated? When you are having a health crisis with your pet you need support, not conflict.
Look for a company that has flexibility with their policies, customized plans, multi-pet discounts and variable deductibles. Go online and find an online comparison tool that will allow you to compare all of your policies side by side.
Think about what your pet means to you and make sure you have the level of coverage that your loved one will require to survive