Finding the right pet insurance is no easy task. In fact, it can be extremely overwhelming.
The best pet insurance policy is one that meets the specific needs of your pet. If your pet is prone to injury and is constantly getting x-rays, you should find a plan that covers x-rays. If your pet needs medication for a particular condition, you should find a plan that covers that medication.
Whatever your pet needs, make sure your insurance plan covers it. You should also consider buying a plan that covers services your pet might need in the future.
You never know what might happen. It’s best to stay prepared ahead of time. If an accident occurs or your pet develops an illness, you want to have access to the best possible care. A strong insurance plan will ensure that.
There are many qualities to look for in a pet insurance policy. Before you commit to a plan, make sure you do your due diligence. To find the best pet insurance for you and your pets, follow these tips below!
A Good Deal
When looking for pet insurance, you shouldn’t just be looking for the cheapest plan available. Instead, you should look for the plan that provides the most value to you and your pet.
A good deal can be defined in many different ways. Ultimately, you should feel comfortable with the coverage you’re receiving for the price you’re paying.
Check what services are covered by the policies you’re looking at. Do they cover routine services like general wellness checks, vaccines, and heartworm tests? What kind of reimbursement percentage do they offer?
These questions will help guide you in your journey of selecting a policy. Every company treats coverage differently. Your goal is to find the one that’ll save you the most money.
Also pay attention to exclusions. Every pet insurance company has a list of services that they won’t cover. Most of the time, you can expect treatments related to pre-existing conditions to be excluded.
There will typically be several other exclusions in your policy. Before buying a plan, make sure these exclusions aren’t dealbreakers for you. Generally, your pet insurance won’t cost you more than $50 a month. The average accidents-only plan costs $49 per month for dogs and $29 per month for cats. The average accidents and illnesses plan costs $16 per month for dogs and $11 per month for cats.
A Wide Network
Besides pricing, you should also check what vets your provider works with. Before committing to a plan, see what insurance policies the vets in your area are accepting.
Most pet insurance companies have a network of vets that they work with. Usually, it is up to you to decide which vet you want to see.
Make sure that the plan you buy grants you access to reputable, experienced vets in your area. Read up on some vet reviews.
Also see what their schedules are like. If your insurance plan only lets you see vets with packed schedules, it can be difficult getting an appointment.
When your insurance has a limited network, it can be a struggle finding a vet to accept you. Ideally, your insurance should give you a few, quality options in your area.
You don’t want to have to travel too far to visit your vet. In the case of an emergency, you want access to quick, reliable care.
Riders
For some pet owners, it is important to have some flexibility in their plans. One way to adjust your coverage is to add a rider to it.
Riders are premium add-ons that you can use to add coverage to an existing plan. Typically, they are used to add coverage to services excluded by the provider.
Another reason you may want to add a rider is if your pet develops a condition. At the time of purchasing the plan, you may have thought that you don’t need coverage on a particular service. However, due to this change in your pet’s health, you’ll want to adjust your coverage.
Keep in mind that some insurance companies penalize you for changing your plan; and it can be much more damaging than just a fee.
For instance, if your pet develops a condition while under an existing plan and you choose to change that plan, some companies will view this action as the start of an entirely new plan. Therefore, the condition that your pet recently developed would be considered pre-existing and would not be covered.
