Pet Health Care Insurance

Wading through the different type pet health care insurance policies can be difficult. Here are a few things for you to consider. If you have a veterinary that you like and want to stay with, make sure any policy you purchase allows this. Like human insurance, some plans only allow you to go to certain vets.

Take a look at what the policy specifically excludes. Most exclude preexisting conditions, and many that cover them only cover after a pre-defined period. Certain genetic conditions, such as hip dysplasia, are not covered by some companies. Look at exclusions and see which are most likely to apply to you.

Consider these facts:

One in three pets will need emergency veterinary treatment every year.
Two out of every three pets experience a significant health problem during their lifetime.

Solutions:

If you live in the US or Canada take a look at our recommended Pet Insurance company.

If your in the UK then our highly recommended partner is Argos Pet Insurance .

Deductibles and co-pay are important to know. This area can take close reading. Some companies require co-pays for each visit, regardless of the reason. Others only require co-pay for the first visit for a particular illness. This means that if, for example, your cat is injured in an accident, you would only pay for the first visit related to that injury.

Some pet health care insurance policies keep costs or potential future costs down by limiting the amount they will pay in the lifetime of the animal. If you have an older pet it may seem that you are less likely to reach the lifetime cap, but remember that costs of a chronic illness can add up quickly.

You can get policies that cover almost everything, including vaccinations, dental care, and neutering. Many won't include routine care. The more services you want, the more you can expect to pay.

It doesn't matter what a policy offers if you can't afford it. First and foremost, look for a policy that you can afford and that you think you will be able to continue to afford in the future. The worst case scenario is paying for a policy for a healthy pet, dropping it because you can no longer afford it, and then discovering your critter has an expensive-to-treat illness.

If you're considering pet health care insurance, start shopping now but hope you never have to use it.