Insurance is a great option to keep your pet healthy and happy. The insurance will cover any unexpected veterinary costs including emergency visits, surgery, and routine care such as vaccinations and wellness checks.
You can find many different pet insurance providers. Before purchasing a policy, it's best to research your options. It's important to find a policy that suits your budget, offers good coverage, and is easy to operate.
These policies are the cheapest and can be used for dogs with injuries such as bite wounds and broken bones. These plans do not cover illnesses and therefore are not suitable for older pets or dogs with chronic health issues.
If your dog has chronic or severe ailments, you might want to look into a life-time coverage plan. If you renew your policy every year, this type of insurance will cover all veterinary expenses you incur for the life of your pet.
AKC Pet Insurance
The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers a pet insurance policy that is not only available for registered purebreds, but also for mixed-breed dogs and cats. These policies include coverage for new or unexpected injuries, hereditary, congenital, and other diseases. They also process claims quickly.
AKC's pet insurance is available for a 30-day free trial, so you can try out the benefits before you decide to purchase it. Optional add-ons such as exam costs and final expenses can be added.
Accident and illness policies cover a wider range of medical costs, including vet bills. An accident-only insurance plan does not. These plans offer up to 80% reimbursement of eligible medical costs once you have met your annual deductible. Additional levels of reimbursement are also available for elective procedures.
BestBenefit
Understanding how the insurance company treats pre-existing health conditions is important when selecting a pet plan. Some plans will not cover preexisting diseases, while other policies have a period of waiting before they begin to pay for chronic conditions that you and your veterinarian identify.
Many plans have a one-year wait period on any pre-existing conditions. This is true even if you are completely healed by the time your coverage period ends. It can be difficult to find a policy that covers your dog throughout their life.
Premiums for the plans vary significantly, but they're usually low enough to make them worth the price. These premiums are determined by factors such as the age and breed of your pet.
The average cost of a pet insurance plan is around $500 per year. The premium can be reduced if you choose a lower coinsurance and deductible rate. This is particularly helpful if your pet has a history of health problems or is prone to developing a disease later in life, as it's likely they will need to be treated sooner than a healthy, young dog.