Let’s talk about pet insurance. How much does it cost? Who is the best provider? Is it essential to have as a pet owner? Although pet insurance can be relatively straightforward to some, what it does and does not cover may differ from a human health plan, which is a bit confusing. Read on as we cover the primary points of what pet insurance can do for you.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Similar to our health insurance, pet insurance requires a monthly premium. Your vet bills are at least partially reimbursed, generally after you have paid out a certain amount on your own (the deductible). What your plan covers, however, depends largely in part on what insurance plan you purchase. A basic dog or cat insurance plan, for example, covers minimal treatment when your pet is injured or ill but does not cover routine care. Other plans offer add-on coverage, which can include non-emergency care, prescriptions, medication, etc. If you can pay more, you can find yourself a plan that covers all routine maintenance.
Understanding Basic Insurance Plans
First, basic pet insurance plans don't cover routine and preventative care, such as annual exams and vaccinations, so you'll need to pay in full for wellness visits. Of course, preventive care such as these is essential to keep your pet healthy. But they’re considered a “predictable expense” that you can save and budget. The idea behind most pet insurance is to cover the unexpected, where costs can quickly add up if your pet is sick or injured.
One of the most common mistakes is assuming that your plan will cover spaying or neutering when it comes to a basic plan. Although both of these procedures are considered surgeries, they’re not caused by an accident or sickness, so in most cases, your insurance will not cover the cost, and you will not be reimbursed.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental?
When it comes to your pet insurance, dental care is generally treated the same way as other care: yes for illness/injury, no for preventative care. As mentioned before, a basic plan will typically not cover routine care such as dental cleanings. Still, it will likely cover, say, treatment of a dental infection or extraction of a broken tooth. We recommend checking to see that your plan covers all possible unexpected dental problems.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Prescriptions and Medication?
Although most pet insurance plans cover prescriptions to treat an illness or injury, basic plans will not cover this as it’s “preventative care.” This may include but is not limited to: prescription food, supplements, flea and tick preventatives. Some companies, however, offer additional coverage or more comprehensive plans that cover all or both of these. You just need to do the research.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
A pre-existing condition is one that showed symptoms or was diagnosed before you purchased your policy. Unfortunately, these conditions are not by your insurance. The definition of a pre-existing condition can be incredibly frustrating for a pet owner and often misleading. The most common reason for denying a claim is due to a pre-existing condition. While some of these cases likely involve customers who didn’t understand their plan, disputes do arise that question what it means to be “pre-existing.”
How to Prevent Your Claim from Being Denied
One way to avoid the hassle of “pre-existing” conditions is to purchase your policy early on. Not only is it less expensive to get a policy when your pet is young, but if you buy a plan before problems arise, they will be covered.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Breed-Specific Hereditary or Congenital Problems?
Some plans cover breed-specific hereditary and congenital problems, and some do not. If you have a dog or cat breed prone to specific health issues, you should do your research and choose a plan carefully. Unfortunately, even plans that cover these conditions do not cover them if they are pre-existing. This can be a bit confusing, seeing how a congenital disease is, by definition, present at birth. What’s important is whether or not there was evidence of the problem or a diagnosis before the plan was purchased. If so, it will be considered pre-existing and will not be covered by your insurance.
