If your pet suddenly gets sick or hurt, your policy can aid with expenses. Much like insurance for humans, the available policies have many differences. Not each condition is covered by each policy, and some conditions may unfortunately not be covered at all. Clearly understanding what you can expect before obtaining the policy that works for you is the best practice for helping with your pet policy planning.

What Do Pet Policies Cover?

Most basic pet insurance plans will assist with sudden accidents and injuries. If your furry friend breaks a bone or is hit by a cyclist, the insurance company would cover the costs for checkup and eventual treatment. Some pre-existing conditions such as cancer cannot be covered. If a new illness occurs that was caused by the pre-existing condition, it can be unfortunately ruled out as well.

The Various Forms of Pet Insurance Coverage:

Most pet insurance companies offer several tiers of coverage. There are basic forms, accident-only plans, and more inclusive coverage options. It can still be useful to get a low-cost wellness package that provides extra coverage for yearly checkups along with care to prevent further issues. The following are some of the different types of coverage and what to expect after beginning your policy.

Accident-only: 

These plans will cover your pet if an unexpected event comes up to surprise you, like breaking a bone or being accidentally poisoned. Viruses and other diseases aren’t covered, and genetic conditions are not either. You’ll be relieved to provide coverage for your pet when it comes to broken bones, bite wounds, cuts and lacerations, toxin ingestion and poisoning, car accidents, eye injuries, sprains, or bee stings. You’ll also receive reimbursement for X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, laboratory testing, and ultrasounds. Since pets love to “play detective” and are very inquisitorial beings, this type of coverage nearly always proves its worth. 

Accident and Illness:

This will cover you for everything under the accident-only type, as well as for illness and disease. Most elderly pets will greatly benefit from accident and illness coverage, especially because cancer poses such an expensive threat. Hypothyroid issues, allergies, disc diseases, urinary tract infections, arthritis, Lyme disease, osteosarcoma, and hip dysplasia are some of the conditions covered. 

You can also receive coverage for behavioral therapy, outright dental emergencies, and even holistic medicine such as acupuncture. This is one of the most frequently purchased coverage types, as it goes a bit beyond what pets can encounter during daily existence. 

The Wellness Plan Add-On:

Wellness plans will cover routine healthcare and preventative treatments. They cover expenses that you can expect regularly such as annual exams, vaccinations, flea and tick preventatives, heartworm conditions, dental cleanings, prescription food, nail trimming, grooming, training, microchipping, and even burial. Since they include so many various treatments, wellness add-ons can come with a cap on useful reimbursements, with a common amount being around $600.

How does pet insurance work?

After you secure a pet insurance policy, your vet and provider are not in direct communication with each other. You are responsible for paying the bill up front, and then you file a claim for reimbursement. After you pay a monthly or annual premium, you won’t have to worry about coverage “within a network” like many HMOs for humans dictate. An 80% reimbursement rate is standard, which will cover services after you meet your deductible.

Is Pet insurance coverage a good idea?

Pet insurance may be worth it for your scenario and the protection of your beloved companion. One of the most important things to think about is your ability to cover unexpected vet bills if your pet does suddenly become hurt or sick. If you feel that you have enough money set back for emergencies or even life-saving treatment, it is important to remember that in some instances these treatments may be multiplied as health declines. An unexpected broken bone can cost thousands, and once cancer comes into play, each treatment can be as much as $4,000.

The breed, age, and health record of your pet will also be important factors that one should take into consideration. Our best advice would be to not put things off until it is too late: get your insurance now!