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Pet Insurance
Purchasing pet insurance is important, and you can count on us every step of the way. There are a few things to keep in mind when buying coverage to protect your pet.
What is the best pet insurance
If you have a dog or cat, pet insurance is health insurance that will cover them if something bad and unexpected happens. Pet insurance will reimburse you for covered expenses like vet bills. Getting affordable pet insurance can help you save on veterinary costs, and it can provide some peace of mind about your pet’s health and your budget.
How does pet insurance work
Typically you don’t need to worry about whether a clinic is in-network, as most pet insurance plans will allow you to bring your furry friend to any licensed vet for treatment, but always the best bet to call and check before you go.
Most carriers will make you pay the vet bill up front then submit your receipt to the insurance company for reimbursement. Although some pet insurers may be set up to reimburse your vet directly at this time, there are not many, but if they do, it will keep you from having to come out with so much of your own money.
Below are just a few factors that might affect just how much of the vet bill your carrier will cover.
Payout limits
Very few plans won’t cap how much they will pay for covered treatments, but most carriers will have maximum payouts. This is where you need to read the policy language very carefully. There very well may be a payout limit for the year, for your pet’s lifetime or a certain type of incident or condition. Or there could be a combination of caps.
Deductibles
A deductible is an amount you will pay out of pocket before the insurance carrier starts paying. Under a lot of pet insurance plans, the deductible is applied annually. The plan starts reimbursing you once you’ve paid the deductible toward covered treatment. The deductible will reset once you renew your policy each year.
Under some other types of plans, the deductible is applied per incident. Once the deductible is paid for a particular injury or illness, the plan will reimburse you up to the policy’s limits, even in subsequent plan years. If your pet happens to develop a chronic, lifelong condition by chance, this can save you money. But if your pet develops several different medical conditions in one year, you have to pay deductibles for each one of them.
Reimbursement levels
Generally, Pet insurance plans will reimburse you a percentage of the treatment costs. You choose the reimbursement level when you buy the policy, such as 70%, 80%, or 90%.
- Please read the details and fine print of how reimbursement works. Many plans will reimburse you a percentage of the vet’s bill. Other policies reimburse you based on some benefit schedule they’ve established for each condition; if the vet charges you more than the amount on the benefit schedule, you’re responsible for paying the difference.
The cost of pet insurance
Paying the monthly premium is the hard part of having pet insurance coverage. If you don’t pay your monthly premium, your policy will terminate or lapse, just like any other type of insurance policy.
According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). “State of the Industry Report 2021.” Accessed May 14, 2021, the average monthly costs of pet insurance can range from:
- $11 to $30 for cat insurance
- $18 to $50 for dog insurance
A few factors will determine the premiums, including:
- Species: Cats are cheaper than dogs, and smaller pets are cheaper to insure than larger ones
- Breed: Certain pets susceptible to certain diseases will warrant a higher premium.
- Age: If your pet is older, it will cost more than a younger one
- Location: In larger cities, insurance often costs more
The premium or policy cost will also be affected by what policy features you want — like the deductible and reimbursement rate we mentioned above — and the type of coverage you get. As with all insurance, the more features you want to have covered for your pet, the more it will cost.
Is pet insurance worth it
At Coach B. if I wouldn’t buy it myself, I won’t offer it to my clients. We only offer products we trust and believe in, including pet insurance. I have talked to many people, and they think that pet insurance is a ‘scam’ if you don’t get back more money than you pay in for it. In the insurance business, that is what we refer to as stinkin thinkin. We think that’s the wrong way to think about pet insurance (and any insurance for that matter). Pet insurance or any other insurance is about having a safety net in the event of major and unpredictable health expenses, whether it’s your furry best friend or for you.
Want to know more? Look at this Vox magazine article about pet insurance and why it’s not a ripoff.
The best pet insurance company
- PetFirst
- Wagmo
- Pet Assure
- ASPCA
- Embrace
- Figo
- Hartville
- 24PetWatch
- USAA
- Spot pet insurance
- Pumpkin pet insurance
- Healthy paws pet insurance
- Lemonade pet insurance
Compare pet insurance
Figure out the type and amount of coverage that best suits your needs, and then get pet insurance quotes from several of the best pet insurance companies. Get your online quotes below from a couple of the best pet insurers.
Make sure you compare apples to apples and check that the policies have similar reimbursement levels, deductibles, and annual payout limits to make sure you’re getting fair pet insurance comparisons and not some cheap pet insurance.
Before you buy, make sure you read all the fine print to make sure you didn’t miss anything in the restrictions and exclusions. Many pet insurance companies have sample policies on their websites. It’s always best to read the pet insurance reviews they have.
Also, keep in mind that you’re likely buying an insurance policy your pet will have for life. Because the older your pet gets, the more pre-existing conditions they’ll likely have and if you buy another policy none of them will be covered. So make sure you do your best to pick a company and a level of coverage that you’ll be ok with for the long term.
Pet insurance costs
One of the main benefits of pet insurance is that it can help cover the costs associated with unexpected illness and injury. Policies vary, but most policies cover various medical expenses such as diagnostics, lab tests, surgeries, and hospital stays. Common diseases and conditions such as allergies, skin problems, arthritis, cancers, and diabetes are usually covered by many pet insurance plans.
Pet insurance for cats
Whether you have a cat or a dog, many pet insurance policies will have similar terms and conditions. As you shop for coverage for your fur baby, you should look for policies that cover the most critical needs such as medical processing, accidents on top of illnesses, injury-related costs including surgeries and hospital stays, wellness visits (e.g., checkups) as well as long-term care like outpatient treatment. Pet insurance allows you to save in an emergency while ensuring that your pet gets the best possible care.
Metlife pet insurance
When comparing plans and choosing between Metlife Pet Insurance and ASPCA Insurance, there are a few key factors to consider. With Metlife Pet Insurance, you can choose from three coverage levels: essential accident protection, illness protection, and plans for preventative care. Meanwhile, ASPCA Insurance focuses on wellness coverage, including annual exams, vaccinations, flea/heartworm medication, spay/neuter procedures, microchipping, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance can provide coverage for veterinary care, including accidents and illnesses, and wellness care, like vaccinations and routine check-ups. Some plans may also cover alternative treatments such as acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and chiropractic. In addition, some policies may include coverage for boarding fees if you have to go out of town suddenly, or they may offer accident-only plans to help cover the cost of unexpected injuries.
How much pet insurance cost?
The average cost of a pet insurance plan is usually around $30-$50 per month, depending on the type of animal, the plan coverage levels chosen, and the deductible. However, the cost can range from $10/month for basic coverage to $100/month for a more comprehensive plan for larger animals.
Is it good to have pet insurance?
Yes, it's a good idea to have pet insurance. Pet insurance can help cover the cost of costly vet bills and medications, as well as emergency care services such as surgery and hospital stays. It's also important to note that pet insurance covers preventive measures, such as routine check-ups and vaccinations, which can keep your pet healthy for years to come.
