Pet insurance is the human health insurance equivalent, but for your pet. Having your dog or cat protected by a good health insurance plan can put your mind at ease knowing that large, unexpected medical bills will be covered.
There are3 types of pet insurance coverage: accident, illness and wellness.Depending on your preference, you may sign up for 1, 2 or all 3 of these coverages.
1) Accident Coverage
There is no way to plan for an accident, but you can prevent it from costing you a fortune. Accident coverage is the most common type of pet insurance and every pet health insurance company offers it. Accident coverage can include things like a torn ligament, broken bones, bite wounds and more.
2) Illness Coverage
Illness coverage is often limited and becomes more expensive as your pet ages. That’s why it’s important to get pet insurance while your pet is at the youngest age possible to reduce pre-existing condition exemptions and your monthly cost. Illness coverage can cover things like cancer, arthritis, UTI’s, allergies and more.
3) Wellness Coverage
Wellness coverage is always optional. Depending on your preferences, you may choose to save up and pay for wellness expenses on your own, or you may wish to spend a little every month for this coverage to avoid paying out of pocket all at once during your routine vet visit.
A Pet wellness plan may include:
- Annual exams
- Spay/neuter
- Routine blood panels
- Heartworm testing
- Fecal testing
- Urinalyses
- Routine vaccinations (rabies, DHLP, Bordetella, parvo, Lyme, giardia)
- Teeth cleanings
- Flea, tick and heartworm treatments
Keep in mind; a single routine annual vet exam can cost upwards of $300 depending on your vet, where you live and the types of procedures, vaccinations and tests your pet requires during an annual exam. Wellness plans are becoming increasingly popular to manage these expenses, which is why more companies are offering them, including as an add-on to a pet insurance health plan.
Article by: Kimberly Alt