The health and happiness of our family is important to us, and this is one of the reasons why we invest in personal insurance at the earliest opportunity. We make sure that the insurance policies we get cover the various aspects of our lives, from health to property. Many of us also consider our pets to be a member of the family, and we want them to also live a long, healthy, and happy life. If you find yourself asking “How do I get pet insurance?” then you’ve come to the right place. Here are the basics to help you make sure you have the right insurance for your beloved four-legged family member.
What exactly is pet insurance?
Pet insurance covers the veterinary treatment of your sick or injured pet. It reimburses you on your veterinary bills so that you won’t have to worry about giving your pet the best care when it gets sick. Keep in mind that you would still have to pay the veterinary clinic up front. After paying the vet, you can file a claim to the pet insurance company and then wait to get reimbursed.
The illnesses covered by pet insurance can range from short-term illnesses such as diarrhea and vomiting, to chronic conditions such as diabetes, allergies, and cancer. When your pet gets into an accident or sustains injury, the pet insurance can cover the treatment for poisoning, foreign body ingestion, lacerations, and broken bones. Some pet insurance plans can help you pay for routine care such as dental cleanings, vaccinations, and regular checkups.
Pet insurance coverage
There are many types of pet insurance plans. There are those that offer targeted coverage and those that provide comprehensive coverage. Here are some of the most common pet insurance plans you can choose from:
- Lifetime – lifetime policies can cover the veterinary fees up to a certain amount per year, and gives you the peace of mind that you are covered if your pet develops a chronic or long-term condition such as diabetes.
- Accident and illness plan – this covers the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and accidents such as allergies, medication, broken bones, diabetes, and foreign object ingestion.
- Accident only plan – this covers the treatment of injuries and accidents such as breaking a bone, getting hit by a vehicle, eating something toxic, or swallowing foreign objects. This plan covers X-rays, exams, medications, surgeries, and hospitalization.
- Wellness plan for routine care – this covers vaccination, dental cleaning, and annual checkups.
- Cancer only plan – the coverage of this plan includes the blood work, exams, chemotherapy, surgery, and medications needed to treat pets with cancer.
Where do I start?
The type of policy to get would depend on where you live and the age of your pet. Many companies offering pet insurance policies provide free quotes, so you can compare and have an idea about the amount you have to pay on a monthly basis. The costs of veterinary services in your area influence the premiums charged; in general, urban areas have a higher premium than rural areas. The premium can also increase as your pet ages because the risk of illness also increases.
Getting a pet insurance policy gives you a peace of mind that you will have financial support for taking care of our pets’ health. Our pets give us unconditional love, and we should strive to give them the best of care in return.
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