The Benefits Of Buying Pet Insurance For Your Furry Friend
Pet health insurance is very important for pet owners because it will always ensure that they will have financial backup if their pet becomes ill or gets into an accident. Although there are many advantages of pet health insurance, it is wise to carefully research your choice of pet health insurance companies.
To help you choose the best pet health insurance there is, here are some myths and misconceptions that you should keep in mind.
Myth # 1: “Your pet does not need health insurance.” Like people, you will never know when you pet would get sick or get hurt. The main reason why there is a pet insurance policy is because there are times when your pet would need health care and you are not prepared for it. Vet care costs a whole lot of money and your pet also needs routine vet care. If you have a pet health insurance policy you don’t need to choose between your pet’s health and your money when you have a little problem with financial status. You may think you don’t need it today but the truth is everybody needs to make sure that their pets are covered with a good pet health insurance policy.
Myth # 2: “There are a limited number of vets that are accredited by pet health insurance policies.” Unlike some human health insurance policies where there are just some places and doctors that accept patients because of the limited accreditation, pet health insurance policies have more coverage when it comes to the vet of the owner’s choice.
Myth # 3: “You can’t include vaccinations, dental cleanings and check ups.” There are some pet health insurance comprehensive policies that include wellness care and preventive care in their coverage so it is best that you choose those types.
Misconception # 1: “It will cost a fortune to get a pet health insurance policy.” Basic accident policies are very affordable – and the most affordable health care policies cost fewer than 10 dollars a month. You wouldn’t want to take the risk with any of your other family members right? And like it or not, your pets are (for most of us) a true family member. The money that we spend on their food, the shelter that they have, the toys and the other things that we buy for them is part of our investment in them as a family member. Throwing it all away because our pets are not insured is a sure waste. Other pet insurance policies may cost a little more but the policies become more expensive because of their comprehensiveness and inclusions. Think over what policy best fits your pet and remember that peace of mind can be bought!
Misconception # 2 “It’s a drag to apply for one.” There are a lot of online references pertaining to pet health insurance and how to apply for it. If a pet owner wants to apply their pet for a policy they can get all the help they need from a lot of sources and people. The best companies will provide lots of help at the website too. If you are a pet owner and you need first hand information you can always ask your vet.
Misconception # 3: “Pet health insurance policies are complicated.” If there is any health policy in the world that is easy to understand – that’s a pet policy. Unlike a human policy where there is a sub clause for dependents legal claimers etc, pet health insurance policies are actually simplified for the owner’s better understanding.
Watch the video related to pet health insurance
www.petinsurancereporter.com If youve had a pet for any length of time, then you know just how those veterinary bills can add up when your furry friend gets sick. But lately, a new trend has arisen that will help pet owners to better take care of their animals; and will help to relieve the financial burden when those animals become ill pet insurance.
Help answer the question about pet health insurance
Can anyone recommend any good pet health insurance plans?Can you share some experiences with your pets and how pet insurance helped with your pets? Serious Answers Only!!!
About Author
The QuickCare Pet Insurance Program will help you with your pets health care concerns. For accident or illness, they are the premier pet health care company today. Learn more about pet insurance and many other pet care concerns at Doctor-do-little.com where pets are OUR concern!
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Posted by American Car Insurance on February 9th, 2009 filed in health insurance | 9 Comments »
Top incoming search terms for this post
9 Responses to “The Benefits Of Buying Pet Insurance For Your Furry Friend”
Leave a Comment
-
Link Partner
February 9th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Banfield Wellness Plan is not really insurance, but more of a plan through the corporation. If you want actual pet insurance, I would suggest VPI. My clinic does a lot with VPI and it is relatively simple and affordable. Check out the different plans they offer and make sure it suits you, then after you've signed up, this is how it works. Pet insurance is not like human insurance. You can go to any veterinarian, but the plan you choose selects what is covered and what is not. You can do whatever treatment you choose at your veterinarian's, just remember you have to pay for it all. VPI insurance forms are filled out by your veterinarian (bring them in with you or ask the front desk for one – they most likely have one) and sent in by you. VPI then reimburses you.
You can check it out at : http://www.petinsurance.com/
The pet insurance world has not expanded to the point that you have a card and an office within your clinic will handle the paper work but I have a feeling that it will grow to this point soon enough. So check out the website, ask your veterinarian, and hopefully some of this info is helpful. I've seen insurance cover everything from heartworm preventatives and update to vaccine reaction and emergency surgeries. It is definately worth it.
Just remember, insurance is different from a wellness plan. Wellness plans are a bulk amount of money in a partnership with a clinic or corporation to cover what is done with that clinic. Insurance is monthly payments for coverage just like for human health insurance.
Just wanted to add this side note: if you go to the VPI website, you can get a quote on your pet(s), they have full details of thier plans, you can enroll online and they give a discount when you enroll more than 1 pet!
February 9th, 2009 at 7:57 am
I have VPI and I have been very pleased with them. It costs me $240 a year for both of my dogs. However, the have a very set procedure that you need to follow.
Pet insurance does not work like people insurance, you still have to pay the full amount of the service at the vet and then you fax in a claim form to VPI and they directly reimburse you within a couple of weeks, So, you still need a credit card or some way to pay your vet. It is false that some vets don't accept, because the vet is never the person who processes the insurance.
They will not cover any heriditary diseases (hip displacia, wobblers, etc) or preexisting conditions. So, to really get your $$ worth you need to start your coverage when your dog is a puppy and renew every year. Some breeds are much more expensive than others and they may not insure you if they choose.
They have a couple different levels of coverage. I pay for only catastrophic injury or illness ($50 deductable), but my dogs are still pretty young and don't go to the vet a lot. If your dog does, they have a plan that is more per month, but covers regular visits, shots and such. You are required to get a yearly physical for your dog to be covered.
I have only had one smallish claim ($250), but they were very prompt in sending me my check and I have no complaints with them.
February 10th, 2009 at 5:31 am
I have VPI for both of my dogs. My vet recommended it after my 9 mo puppy got into some medication a week after I adopted her. Vets do not get paid anything by the insurance companies, so he has no reason to push it. Also a coworker of mine had a sister who was a vet. My coworker also had insurance and her sister also recommended it. I pay $25/month for each. If I did the savings account route, I better pray nothing happens to them while I'm trying to save up. With the insurance if something happens, and I have to pay $2500 (which is a cheap number depending on what's wrong) for surgery I don't have to worry about whether I have enough in my savings account. BTW at $25/month into a savings account it would take over 8 years to have that much.
February 10th, 2009 at 6:20 am
Hi LucastaLovelace,
First, disclaimer: I work for Embrace Pet Insurance in Cleveland, Ohio.
I'm glad you're asking questions about pet health insurance. There is so much information floating around about it and not all of it is correct.
Indeed a sick kitty can cost a fortune to make healthy again. Even so, we see a much higher percentage of dog owners than cat owners taking out pet insurance. Perhaps this stems from the perception that dogs are more active and thus more likely to need it, I'm still not sure.
I want to address one question you asked which was "Is pet health insurance worth the investment?" Well, actually, no insurance product is ever an investment. Insurance simply transfers your risk to someone else in exchange for you paying the premium. Health, auto, pet insurance is all the same in this regard. You pay a premium, someone else takes the financial risk off your hands.
I say this because many pet owners want pet insurance to act like human health insurance, right down to the idea that it should cover even visits to your veterinarian and routine vaccinations. The problem is that insurance doesn't work as well when it covers myriad small, inexpensive, routine procedures. By doesn't work as well I mean "is more expensive". It can certainly help from a budgeting point of view to have the whole kitchen sink included but it certainly won't make your pet insurance any more affordable.
So, what makes a good pet health insurance policy? My opinion is straightforward: insurance is a promise to reimburse you so one of the main elements of a good policy is full and open disclosure of *everything* that is and is not covered. If you look just at price you are not getting the whole picture.
You're very lucky in that nowadays here in the US you have a choice of at least half a dozen different pet insurance companies, just go to Google and type in "pet insurance."
Here are some questions you should ask yourself as you navigate the different plans on the market:
1. Does the pet insurance company give you a choice of deductibles, maximums, and copays to design a plan to suit your budget?
2. Does the plan cover genetic conditions? Make sure their answer is unambiguous because some claim they cover them but there can be "gotchas."
3. Does the plan cover chronic or recurring conditions? So if your pet gets sick in year 1, does it cover the same illness again in year 2?
4. Does the plan come loaded with coverages that you'll pay for but probably never use, like "Lost & Found" or "Accidental Death"?
5. What is and is not covered? Is it clearly stated on their website or over the phone?
6. Does the plan pay claims based on a restrictive benefit schedule or the actual vet bill? You want to avoid benefit schedule plans because they have a high probability of leaving you substantially out of pocket when you make a claim.
7. Are there per-incident or per-body system limits that effectively cap the amount you could receive back? For example, some plans have a $3,000 per-incident limit. If you had a claim for $5,000 with one of these plans then the most you would get back would be $3,000 – ever.
8. How long does the company take to pay claims?
9. What are the rules around pre-existing conditions? Are they excluded permanently or temporarily?
Buying a pet insurance plan requires a little bit of homework upfront. Go with the company that you trust and the plan that you think fits your budget and your needs.
Good luck!
Alex
Embrace Pet Insurance
http://www.embracepetinsurance.com
February 10th, 2009 at 6:25 am
I have VPI, Veterinary Pet Insurance. It has been very helpful for one of my dogs, who has had many health issues over the past several years. It does not pay all the costs, but it helps with just about everything. There is a $50 deductible per illness. They have limits and so you will pay the difference out of pocket. How much you pay out of pocket depends on how expensive your vet is. I have the Premium coverage and would recommend that. In my experience, most vets want their money at the time of service, are not willing to reduce costs of take payments. My vets demand payment at the time of service, then VPI reimburses me for at least part of the costs. If you have a more agreeable vet, you can have the insurance paid directly to them and then pay the balance later. I wouldn't be without it! You never know when you will need it. My one dog has cost a fortune in vet bills and it has been very helpful to have the insurance. Additionally, I am finding that when faced with long term medications, I can save money by searching the web for sources other than my vet's office.
February 10th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Check with your state insurance commissioner. It is probably pretty tough with a large amount of cash or bonding up front.
February 10th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I have had my gabbysue with vpi for the last 3 years and i'm pretty satisfied. while it does reimburse for quite a bit, it's really an insurance for if something major happens, whether a broken leg, or gosh forbid cancer. luckily my babe is in good health; i don't mind paying the $28 a month for peace of mind, just in case. hope this helps.
February 11th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Talk to your vet. He should write a letter to the insurance company and give them a time-line for the cancer diganosis. You should also have the records of your dogs vet exams. You can make copies and send them to the insurance co., highlighting the dates of exams. Have the vet office make you a copy. If they refuse call the Veterinary Medical Board in your state. By law they are required to make you a copy or a written summary of the records. The only other thing is go to an attorney….but that will probably cost you more that the vet bill. Good Luck and God Bless
February 12th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
It may be difficult to get pet insurance that will cover your older bully's allergies. This would likely be considered a "pre-existing condition" that would probably be excluded. It would be worth it to check before buying a policy.
It should be okay to get a policy that will cover the puppy as he has not had the allergies yet, and thus wouldn't be excluded. It would be worthwhile to check with the insurance company you choose to see if there would be any problems with the coverage.
It's really worth taking some time and shopping around before you buy a policy. Many companies offer policies that have different types of coverage. The last thing you want is to discover you aren't covered for something you think you are. As you narrow it down to a couple of companies, I would invest the time in calling each and asking more specific questions and maybe even ask how coverage would work for a specific condition.