Just like us humans, pets will need medical paw-tention at some point or other.
Whether developing a condition, enduring an accident or simply having to take a vaccine – they’ll certainly need to pay the vet a visit. One visit after another, and the bill will slowly pile up.
Like it or not, keeping a dog is expensive, so one of the best things to do in order to financially manage being a pet owner would be to get your dog a pet insurance plan.
However, you might be asking yourself: What pet insurance should I get for my puppy?
Well, that’s what we’re here for! Read on, and you’ll learn in no time.
What is Pet Insurance?
Pet medical insurance is a system for reimbursement in case your pet gets ill or suffers a certain accident. By covering the treatment costs, pet insurance allows you to find the best practitioners for your furry little friend.
Considering how expensive owning a dog can be, even when you’re not in need of a vet, it’s always a wise decision to plan things in advance. Invest in your puppy’s longevity in time.
How Can You Insure Your Pet?
The easiest and most common way to get pet insurance is to do it online by contacting a reliable pet insurance policyholder company.
Most of the time, your dog would need to be at least seven weeks old to be insured. There usually isn’t an upper age limit, so you can decide to insure your pet whenever you want after the first seven weeks.
In order to do so, you’d probably need to do some research first. Once you find a potential company candidate, you’ll need to provide them with basic information about your puppy – age, breed, medical history, gender, name. You’ll get a quote and, if you’re okay with it – you’ll accept the offer.
There are multiple insurance policy plans with different coverage options. Once you pick one, you’ll need to pay a monthly premium, conditioned both by the plan and by your pet’s specific requirements.
That’s it! Your doggo is good to go and get that pet insurance!
What To Do When I Need To Use The Insurance?
It’s quite easy. But first of all, be aware that almost no pet insurance is effective immediately; there’s a waiting period – the first two days (in case of accidents) and two weeks (in case of illness) after you register your pet.
Once the waiting period’s over, you can take your dog to the vet and make sure it gets the treatment it needs. When you’re done, you’ll submit a claim to the insurance company (usually, a picture of the vet invoice would be enough), and in a few days, you will be reimbursed on the bank account you gave to the insurance company.
Nothing too difficult!
What Does It Cover?
What It Covers
Pet health insurance usually covers illness, accidents, hereditary conditions, diagnostics, chronic conditions, ongoing treatments (like with cancer, for example), behavioral conditions, and hormone-related conditions in non-spayed dogs as well.
You can also find dog insurance that covers dental health as well! Not all do, so you should check before proceeding.
Similarly, some insurance policies may cover chiropractic vet visits, tooth-cleaning, vaccines, and physical rehabilitation.
What It Doesn’t Cover
What usually isn’t covered by pet insurance plans are pre-existing conditions, parasites, non-health-related expenses (food, hygiene, travel etc.), and cosmetic procedures.
How Much Does it Cost?
The price of your dog’s pet insurance depends on various conditions, such as the particular insurance plan you’ve opted for, your dog’s age, breed, and medical condition, as well as your location.
When it comes to insurance plans, there are options for accident-only or illness-only insurance, as well as all-encompassing options. On average, the best pets accident-only insurance should be around $9, while full monthly insurance should be about $35.
Also, bear in mind that the older your dog – the higher the insurance expenses! Monthly premiums may steadily rise as your dog ages.
Can I Add My Dog to my Health Insurance?
Overall, it depends on the insurance company. While particular health insurance family plans allow you to include your pet, most of them are humans-only.
Hence the existence of pet insurance to begin with!
