Buying pet insurance? What to know first

Prices for everything from food per Veterinary care They are higher than in recent years and were Inflation It doesn’t seem to be getting any easier anytime soon. In this environment, many Americans are looking for a way to protect themselves. This includes pet owners, who are already used to high costs for pet food, grooming, boarding and medical care. Pet ownership can be a fulfilling, loving and…expensive relationship.

Fortunately, pet insurance can help. Owners can collect coverage for a variety of issues and trips to the doctor for a low monthly fee to a provider. Although this is a unique insurance type It’s worth it For many reasons, owners still need to go through the clear-eyed process to get the most affordable and valuable policy. At this point, there are a few things owners should be aware of before signing on the dotted line.

If you’re in the market for pet insurance, get started by getting a free quote here.

What to Know Before Buying Pet Insurance

Here are three tips all pet owners should know before purchasing a pet insurance policy.

Don’t automatically sign with the first provider

Whether you’re shopping for a home, a car or an insurance policy, it’s generally recommended not to take the first offer you get. That is true for pet insurance. This is a robust industry with many providers offering different policies and coverage options. While the first quote you get may ultimately be the best for you and your pet, you won’t know for sure until you shop around and compare suppliers.

Start by getting quotes from at least three different pet insurance companies to establish a baseline for comparison. Just make sure to do an accurate, apples-to-apples comparison. For example, if you get a quote from one pet insurance company for the good health of a 2-year-old female goldendoodle, make sure you get quotes from a second and third company for the same age, sex, breed and health. This will ensure that the provider you contacted was truly the best of the bunch.

Start checking pet insurance prices here now or use the table below to easily shop providers.

Different policies have different prices

There are different Types of pet insurance policies to choose from, all of which have their own price points.

In short: If you want stronger coverage, you have to pay for it. Comprehensive plans are generally more expensive than accident and sickness plans, and accident and sickness plans are more expensive than accident-only plans. There is no right plan for everyone. Some owners may want to pay as little as possible to get coverage. In these cases, an accident-only policy that covers issues like swallowed items and broken bones may be best. Other owners, meanwhile, may want more comprehensive coverage and Benefits that come with it. Just know that different policies will be tagged with different prices so understand your budget first before committing to a specific plan.

Don’t wait for a good deal

With some financial products (like mortgages, for example) you may be able to time the market to get a better deal. But that’s not the case with insurance policies, especially pet insurance. As your dog or cat ages, pet insurance will become more expensive and they become riskier to insure. That risk will show up in higher premiums to a pet insurance company each month.

Another reason why you shouldn’t wait? Pet insurance companies usually won’t cover Pre-existing medical conditions. They will usually provide coverage for items outside that state (if they even approve your pet for a plan). So don’t wait. If you do, you’ll likely end up paying more for less comprehensive protection.

Bottom line

Pet insurance can be a smart way to protect both your pet and your bank account. Before choosing a policy, however, be sure to do your homework. Don’t automatically go with the first provider you get a quote from. Instead, shop around to compare prices and policies. And understand that different types of pet insurance will come with different costs. Finally, don’t try to time a pet insurance plan to get the lowest rate. If you wait too long, you may end up paying a higher price for less powerful coverage.

Get a free pet insurance quote here now to get started.