Pet Insurance: How To Pick One

Just what factors into how much a policy will set you back?

Your pet’s insurance premium is based on four main elements that together make up the risk you provide to the insurer:

Genetic lineage and breed

Some diseases are more common in certain purebred pet populations.

Age

Like people, pets have a higher chance of getting sick as they age, while kittens are more likely to get into trouble.

A person’s residence

The price of veterinary services will vary depending on the cost of living in the area.

Animal medical insurance plan

There are many kinds of insurance, and we’ll go through each later in this book. There will be less of a payout from an insurer if more clauses in the policy limit or restrict coverage.

How to Pick an Insurance Plan

As soon as possible, get your pet or kitten insured.

You may think that everything is OK with your pet and that nothing could go wrong. However, now is the best time to have your pet insured before it gets sick or injured, and you have to deal with the medical bills and possibly cancellation of your policy because of the condition.

Don’t second-guess yourself; pick wisely.

Think about the goals you have for your insurance. Verify that the sum insured will cover the costs you anticipate, both now and in the future, as your pet ages.

Before signing anything, be sure you read the fine print.

Please review our Policies and Procedures. These can be found on the insurance provider’s website or upon request and will explain what is and is not covered by a given policy. While insurance policies may not make for interesting reading, you must take the time to ensure that they provide the protection you need.

Decide NOT to Buy Only Because of Price

There is no standard procedure for how pet insurance policies function. The most significant variable in policy cost is the coverage provided for veterinary care. Later, we’ll break into the many forms of legal protection.

Picking the most expensive pet insurance policy is NOT the best option.

While the cover’s monetary value is significant, a higher value is not always preferable. Consider the current scope of coverage and its expected future expansion.

Always inquire if you have any questions.

It is frequently simpler to phone the provider and ask if insurance will satisfy your needs than to sort through a myriad of websites or a stack of brochures.

What coverage to get

Some policies, typically the more affordable ones, provide more limited coverage regarding what is covered and how long. That’s why it’s crucial to know what you’re getting into from the get-go and to be sure that your chosen policy will serve your needs today and in the future. There are four common forms of pet insurance:

Unending protection

Usually, the coverage under such a policy will last for the entirety of your pet’s life. The insured sum is reinstated each year at the beginning of the policy period. The coverage is renewed annually, and premiums are paid; you can make claims for injuries and illnesses as long as your pet survives.

Policies that pay out a set amount no matter how bad the illness or injury gets

 Insurance policies have a maximum payout that they’ll pay out for each confirmed illness or injury. After filing a claim for a medical issue, the fund’s total value is depleted.

If the policy is renewed, you can file as many claims as you like for that condition up until the policy’s maximum payout is reached; after that won’t reimburse you for that condition under this or any subsequent 12-month policy.

These policies are typically less expensive and offer protection for several years or a fixed dollar amount per condition. Usually, the time restriction is 12 months after the initial treatment for the illness. 

Insurance policies that cover accidents are even more affordable, but they are less common because medical expenses are not reimbursed.

Excess: Some Further Considerations

Excess refers to the portion of a claim that is not covered by insurance. Commonly, claims will be reduced by a percentage for each qualifying illness or injury. It Depends on the terms of the policy; this may be deducted annually at the time of the pet’s death. Once the predetermined amount is subtracted from a claim, many policies add a percentage payment toward the remaining balance. That can contribute to more cheap rates.

Interval of Waiting

Insurance policies typically have a waiting time before you can file a claim (even for the death of your pet). The norm is between 10 and 30 days. There is a predetermined waiting period before you will insure your pet for any disease it may incur.

Minimum age

You cannot begin coverage on most plans when you reach a certain age. If you insure your pet before it reaches this age, most companies will continue to offer you annual renewals for as long as your pet lives.

Existing medical conditions

The coverage will not cover pre-existing conditions, which include any injuries or diseases your pet had before you got it. You cannot claim a pre-existing condition that has returned on your pet’s insurance policy. Thus, the less probable your pet will have any pre-existing problems, the younger and healthier it is when you insure it. If you’ve already submitted claims for a certain ailment under one policy, your condition will be considered pre-existing and excluded under the new policy.

In light of this, it’s crucial to make a wise policy selection first.