Pet Health
Insurance
Pet health insurance is a valuable tool for pet owners who
are concerned about financing their pet’s  lifetime wellness and/or
emergency care. Superior veterinary care is vital in helping our furry companions
maintain the healthiest lifestyle we can possibly provide for them. The cost
of providing this veterinary care can often times be overwhelming for pet
owners.
• AAHA
(American Animal Hospital Association) Statement on Meeting the Cost
of Pet Care
• AVMA
(American Veterinary Medical Association) Statement on Pet Insurance
Although there are no companies that our hospital
specifically recommends, there are some helpful tips from AAHA (American
Animal Hospital Association) that may make the task a little less daunting:
•
AAHA Healthy Pet Insurance Guidelines
Based on our experience, the earlier your pet
is enrolled with a good health insurance provider, the less likely you will
be to encounter denied claims due to “pre-existing conditions.” Puppies
and kittens are great candidates for pet health insurance because most of
the policies available will cover the full or partial cost of the spay/neuter
as well as vaccines.
Health insurance for older pets is also widely available,
but be sure to review the policy in detail so that you are aware of what
coverage you are paying for. The biggest complaint from pet owners who
buy insurance for their older pet is finding out that the pet is not covered
as they expected.
When shopping for pet health insurance, there are many
choices for companies and coverages. Since the need for protection has
become more in demand in recent years, the decision making can be confusing.
The best way to compare companies and coverage is to select a policy that
offers what you’re
looking for:
• Pet
Health Insurance Comparison Chart
• Pet Insurance Review
• A
Form to Compare Insurance Plans
• Myths & Truths
on Pet Insurance
The following tips may help in selecting the
ideal policy for your best friend:
• It’s not practical to buy a policy that won't
pay when you need it. So it is important to know whether your pet has a
pre-existing condition that may or may not be covered. Be sure to ask the
insurer about that specific coverage.
• Check to see if the insurer excludes specific breeds
or charges a higher premium for your breed.
• Review any age restrictions
for coverage. (i.e. Some insurers require your pet to be 8 weeks old.)
• If
you have more than one pet, ask your insurer if they offer a multiple-pet
discount.
• Make sure you understand what you are buying. Some
policies cover:
- Accidents only
- Accidents and Illnesses
- Preventive care (including checkups, vaccinations, and neutering)
as well as Accidents and Illnesses.
• Review the deductibles, co-pays
and caps on coverage. For example, some insurers will pay 80% of
the costs for treating your pet's illness, others will pay 100%. Make sure
you select an insurer that provides the coverage you need.
As previously mentioned, while our hospital does not endorse
any pet health insurance companies in particular, the following is a list
of insurers with customer satisfaction ratings as well as links to their
individual websites. This list and the tips listed above can be found on
the following website: www.PetInsuranceReview.com.
Current Customer Ratings
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