Nearly 85 million Americans own pets, and millennials lead the way in pet ownership. But, like humans, health care for pets can be expensive. That’s why many choose to cover their pet with pet insurance.
But what exactly does pet insurance cover and how does it work? In this blog post, we’ll give you the low-down on everything pet insurance, including how to find the best coverage for your particular pet.
Read on for more information.
Health Care for Pets: What Does It Entail?
If you’re a total newbie to owning a pet, you may be unsure what exactly health care for pets covers and when to take your pet to the veterinarian.
Health care for pets entails everything that has to do with the health of your pet. This can be everything from preventative to treating acute ailments to complementary medicine. Some veterinarians also offer dental services for animals, as well as medical grooming. Medical grooming may include things like cutting the pet’s nails or expressing their anal glands.
Health care for pets is a very broad term, meaning anything and everything you can do to keep your pet as healthy as possible. You should be aware that not every veterinarian will offer ever service that can help keep your pet healthy. For example, if your animal has a complicated illness, you may be referred to another vet, similarly to how it works when a human develops a complicated illness. That vet may specialize in what your animal is suffering from.
Additionally, complementary treatments may not be offered by all vets. Complementary treatments are similar to those offered to people, such as chiropractic, acupuncture or massage.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
What your pet insurance covers depends widely on what pet insurance you choose to use. It also depends on which plan you decide to go with once you have read the terms and decided which is best for your pet.
Pay insurance may be very basic and only cover things like accidents or serious illnesses. Other pet insurance may cover almost everything, including clipping nails and general check-ups. As stated above, all of this depends on which plan you choose.
When you sign up for pet insurance, you’ll be given several different plans and exclusions for several different price points. Your animals may be excluded from certain plans depending on age, as many insurance companies do not which to cover elderly pets. This is because they may require more care and will be more expensive for the insurance company.
Without knowing what insurance plan you have chosen, it is impossible to state exactly what pet insurance plans cover, but it is important that you choose thoroughly and wisely.
Learn more about pet insurance here.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Just like health care in the United States, and private health care abroad, pre-existing conditions are typically not covered by health insurance. This is because pre-existing conditions are more likely to be addressed by the vet, and would cost more to cover. Your animal may also take medication regularly, and a pre-existing condition clause allows your insurance to opt-out of covering it.
Very few insurance plans will cover existing conditions, so it is important to consider this when buying insurance or adopting a pet. If you adopt a pet that is sickly or has a pre-existing condition, it is important you know the financial commitment you are making. It is unfair to adopt a pet and cross your fingers that their insurance will cover them, only to realize they do not, thus denying them necessary medical care.
With some pet insurance, a pre-existing condition can lapse after a period of time. For instance, if a pet injures his foot while he is not covered by pet insurance, foot injuries may be excluded as pre-existing conditions. However, if your animal goes a certain amount of time without treatment for his foot, it may no longer count as a pre-existing condition. Thus, if he hurts his foot again after the time period has lapsed, it will be covered by insurance.
When to Buy Your Pet Insurance
You should purchase pet insurance immediately after you adopt a pet. Some shelters or organizations will give you a free trial of pet insurance, which will give you 30 to 60 days in order to decide if you wish to stay with that company. If your pet falls ill or injures themselves during this period, it may count toward a pre-existing condition before you take out a formal policy. Be sure to read all terms and conditions of your free trial so you’re prepared if you need to use it.
The quicker you buy pet insurance for your pet once you adopt him or her, the easier it is to cover all of his or her possible conditions. A healthy new adopted pet likely has no pre-existing conditions, and if you buy a policy immediately, you won’t get caught out and your pet insurance will cover it.
If your new pet has a pre-existing condition, the shelter should disclose this and can advise you on how to proceed when getting pet insurance.
How Does the Insurance Cover Your Pet?
Before you purchase pet insurance, you should be clear about the company’s payment policy. With most insurance companies, you will pay upfront for your pet’s care. You will then submit a claim and receive a reimbursement. However, some insurance companies in some instances may pay the vet directly. It is important you understand how this will work before taking your pet to the vet.
How to Make Your Policy Work for You
Health care for pets is just as important as health care for your human family members. Ensure your pet stays happy and healthy for the rest of their life by purchasing the right plan for them.
For more information on pets, as well as pet cremation services when you must bid your best friend goodbye, check out the rest of our site.
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