How to get the best pet insurance according to the vet

The only thing worse than your furry family member having a serious injury or illness is not being able to pay for the treatment they need to recover. In such circumstances, Pet insurance A monthly premium payment may be beneficial to cover eligible medical expenses.

With spring upon us, warmer weather and increased outdoor activity for pets can increase the risk of injury. As a result, many pet owners are considering getting one Pet insurance.

If you’re looking for pet insurance, remember that the cost of the premium is important, but some other considerations should also factor into your decision.

If you’re in the market for pet insurance, start by getting a free price quote so you know what to expect.

Vets say what you should do to get the best pet insurance

The process of getting pet insurance is quick and straightforward. These essential tips from veterinarians can help you ensure the best policy for your pet.

Get coverage early

“Pet parents should get their fur babies covered as early as possible, ideally starting when they’re young with a clean bill of health,” says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, Rover’s veterinary medical advisor. “Many policies have exclusions for pre-existing conditions, so if you want to get coverage for an active health concern, the insurance probably won’t cover the current problem.”

“The sooner they get covered, the better their chances of coverage,” adds Petkin’s veterinary consultant Dr. Paula Cuevas. But Cuevas cautions that if your pet already has a disease, pet insurance may not be your best option because it won’t cover Preexisting condition.

You can learn more by getting a free price quote from Spot Pet Insurance now.

Understand the policy

When you get an insurance quote, price An initial concern, however, is to understand that your monthly premiums can vary depending on a number of factors, such as:

• except: The except The amount you must pay out of pocket before your pet insurance coverage begins. Deductibles range from $100 to $1,000, and generally, lower deductibles come with higher monthly premiums.
• Payback Percentage: This percentage refers to the cost covered by the insurance company compensation To the policyholder. The reimbursement percentage usually ranges from 70% to 90%.
• Annual coverage limit: Remember, you can set annual coverage limits that your pet insurer will pay for covered expenses. Annual coverage limits range from $2,500 to $100,000, with some policies offering unlimited coverage.

Generally, the lower your deductible, coverage amount and reimbursement percentage, the lower your monthly premium.

Before you agree, read the terms and ask questions if necessary to understand any specific circumstances that may affect your coverage.

“Two very important questions to ask are: Do you have a deductible per year or for the lifetime of the pet? And is the deductible per problem or per pet?” Dr. Sarah Gorman, DVM, CCRP, advises veterinarians at the Small Door Veterinary Newton Center practice.

Shop and compare policies

A good strategy is to get quotes from multiple pet insurance companies to find the most comprehensive coverage at an affordable price. Pet insurance companies typically offer the coverage options listed in the previous section and price quotes based on your pet’s breed, age, and health.

“Shop around,” says Greenstein. “It’s a pretty competitive landscape these days, and different companies have different prices for different breeds and different coverages to choose from.”

Dr. Randall Cannon, DVM and resident veterinarian at GoodCounsel App, emphasizes the importance of making sure a pet insurance company has a good track record of paying claims. “When shopping for pet insurance, it’s best to rely on word of mouth from real people who have successfully filed substantial claims.”

However, the price you get will depend on many factors, including yours Breeds of pets, here is a general idea of ​​what some pet insurance companies are quoting. The sample quotes below are for a 5-year-old mixed breed dog, medium weight, in good health in Boulder, Colorado. Coverage options include $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement percentage, and maximum coverage options.

The cheapest policy may be the most affordable, but review the policy terms to make sure the coverage meets your needs.

The opposite is also true. “Don’t assume that the most expensive insurance is the best,” says Gorman. “That’s not always the case. It’s a competitive, growing market; sometimes newer companies have more affordable rates.”

Shop your pet insurance options by getting a free quote here or using the table below

Vets say what you shouldn’t do to get the best pet insurance

When searching for the best pet insurance policy, it’s important to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to a bad decision. Here are some mistakes to avoid:

Don’t under-insure

“Pet owners often mistakenly assume that pet insurance will cover absolutely everything,” says Greenstein. “Always read the fine print of your policy and ask lots of questions.”

mostly Affordable coverage Accidents are usually only available with policies that cover broken bones, injuries and poisoning. For comprehensive coverage, an accident and illness plan covers many accidental injuries and treatments, from allergies and hereditary conditions to cancer and diabetes.

Being underinsured is often the result of buying the cheapest policy. “Pet owners shouldn’t buy cheap policies without doing the research first,” says Cuevas “Sometimes it’s worth spending the extra cash on add-ons like dental care. Add in a wellness plan, which will usually cover vaccinations, deworming and preventative medicine.”

Don’t skip over the fine print

What are the biggest mistakes pet owners make when buying vet insurance? “The coverage is not reading closely,” Gorman said. “For example, dental disease is the number one disease in our pet population. Surgical dental procedures are considered wellness care and are not covered by most insurance unless there is a traumatic oral injury. These procedures can be quite expensive.”

Reading the fine print can help ensure there are no surprises when making a claim. “Most insurance companies spell out different ways they will avoid paying, such as citing pre-existing conditions or genetics,” Cannon says.

Bottom line

If you read the fine print and are sure a Pet insurance policy To protect you from a significant and unexpected veterinary bill, consider covering your pet long-term. “Many pet owners will ask me if they should cancel their policy if they’ve been paying for years and never made a claim,” says Greenstein. “The answer is a resounding ‘No!’ Statistically, the number of health insurance claims is only going to increase for older pets, so ending a policy when a pet is older is often a terrible idea.”