Pet Supplies Cats

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Pet insurance buys you peace of mind so that if something bad, expensive, and unexpected happens then your pet is protected.

You should buy pet insurance because you want to be *prepared* in case something bad happens. Remember, insurance is the one thing you can’t buy when you need it the most so plan accordingly.

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 with coverages that you’ll pay for but probably never use, like “Lost & Found” or “Accidental Death”? These can end up costing you more over the long run than they’re worth.

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?

10. Will my premium go up if I make a claim?

11. Will the company increase your co-pay or deductible if you visit a specialist or emergency veterinarian? Some plans do this, make sure you know in advance as not only do emergency & specialists veterinarians cost a lot more but now you’re being asked to foot a larger portion of the bill even though you didn’t sign up for that.

For reviews of the different pet insurance plans in the US check out http://www.PetInsuranceReview.com