Many pet owners would love to save money on vet visits and routine care for their pet, and for good reason! It can get expensive taking care of our furry friends, and we want to make sure that we have the best tools and resources available to provide them with the best care possible. Dog insurance is something that many dog owners consider, but a surprising amount of dog owners do not use pet insurance.
A big reason for this is a misunderstanding about what dog insurance is, how it works and what it can protect against in the long term. Making yourself informed will help you understand what dog insurance is when you didn’t before, and you’ll be able to decide if it’s something you need to protect your dog’s health in the future! Keep reading to learn what dog insurance actually is and how to make the best of it.
What is it?
Dog insurance works very similarly to health insurance for humans or collision insurance for cars. When an unexpected accident occurs, that’s when your insurance kicks in to help share the cost of the repair. Health insurance is a tricky beast, and certain providers may cover things that others don’t.
For example, one provider might offer coverage for a variety of accidents, illnesses and inherited diseases, while another only provides comprehensive coverage for accidents. The fine print is important when choosing dog insurance, so make sure you find every detail you can about the insurance provider's coverage.
What Things are Covered?
This can change depending on the provider. Great dog insurance will not only cover accidents, but things like hereditary conditions, illnesses and chronic issues such as diabetes.
These kinds of illnesses can occur unexpectedly depending on the breed, and can get extremely expensive to maintain and pay for medications, checkups and any other care that might be needed. The best dog insurance will also cover things like behavioral issues and holistic healing methods.
What About Routine Visits?
This is where many pet owners turn away from pet insurance. A lot of providers don’t offer what’s called a ‘preventative care option’ which covers any care given for the purpose of preventing a disease. That means a great deal of routine visits could be covered by your provider if you take their offered preventative care package.
Dental cleanings, vaccinations, and more when your pet isn’t exhibiting any underlying symptoms of a condition. It’s an extra cost, but will ultimately save you money in the long run with all of these typically expensive procedures covered through insurance.
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of dog insurance plans can vary, and most are customizable so you can pay what you can afford and always add on or change your plan as your needs change! You can get plans that cost very little, or more depending on what you add.
The cost of these plans is different from provider to provider, so do some research on your own to discover specific pricings of different pet insurance companies. It can be difficult to search on your own, but with a little focus you can find the right plan for you and your dog!
How Does it Work?
Different types of insurance work differently. Car insurance typically works so that when you have an accident or event that damages your vehicle, you have the option of paying a deductible at an approved mechanic or you can take it to a mechanic of your choice and apply for reimbursement.
Dog insurance typically allows you to file a claim for reimbursement. It isn’t quite the same as healthcare for humans, as dog insurance doesn’t exist under a standardized system.
What Isn’t Covered?
This is another item that changes from provider to provider, but in general many dog insurance providers will not cover pre-existing conditions or conditions that occur during a policy waiting period. A policy waiting period is essentially a period of time during which your insurance is going into effect, but hasn’t yet.
Therefore, anything that occurs during that time typically won’t be covered by most pet insurance providers. Aside from those things, there are many ways to get your most essential needs met with your dog insurance plan.
So, to recap, dog insurance works very similarly to other types of insurance one might purchase. The difference is that you will need to apply for reimbursement by using
This added piece of security will help you feel more financially confident to take care of your dog in the event of any emergency or preventative care needs that you might encounter in the future. Start shopping for dog insurance today!
