Although life and health insurance are quite familiar to most, only those with a pet understand the importance of a pet insurance plan. These policies are designed to financially cover the owner in the event that a pet needs medical treatment for any number of conditions. Much like a plan designed for humans, this insurance can remove much of the financial burden while providing an owner with the security in knowing that his or her cherished pet is in good hands.
Types of Pet Insurance
Pet insurance can be categorised into a lifetime or a non-lifetime policy. The lifetime alternative is the most comprehensive plan, as it will cover the pet over its entire lifespan. However, it should be noted that premiums can increase over time and as the pet ages. Most plans will provide a maximum coverage limit for each year. After this time frame, the policy “resets”; allowing for further treatments. This is known as “per-condition, per-year” lifetime coverage.
Non-lifetime coverage will only allow a certain amount of treatments before a condition is excluded from a policy. There is no time limit for any medical condition, but the condition itself will be removed from the policy. This can prove problematic for owners that have an animal with a chronic medical issue. Still, non-lifetime coverage is a cheaper alternative than its more “permanent” counterpart.
Things to Take Into Consideration
First, it is important to know whether or not a veterinarian will accept a certain insurance policy. Also, the plan in question should cover a variety of the most common (and serious) conditions. These include chronic illnesses, diseases that are specific to a certain breed, cancer and congenital conditions (such as a heart defect). Some plans will not include hereditary conditions and this is important to keep in mind. A final factor is to determine if the policy will provide reimbursement for any pre-existing conditions (those that were diagnosed before the insurance came into effect).
How to Get the Best Deal
It is clear that the most potent way to encounter the best deal is to use the Internet to compare the coverage terms of specific policies. Some other useful tips will include:
- Speaking to a veterinarian to obtain a professional suggestion.
- Avoiding policies without breed-specific coverage.
- Selecting a plan that includes dental cleanings.
- Making certain that any rise in premiums over time is fully understood.
Note that some plans will require an annual medical examination for the policy to remain in place. Should this not occur, the pet may be refused coverage for future treatments. Keeping all of these factors in mind will enable the most appropriate policy to be found.