Just like regular health insurance, buying an insurance plan for your pet guarantees that your furry family member is covered in the event of health emergencies. However, pet insurance does have its differences from human health insurance. Read on to learn more about pet insurance and whether it is right for you and your pet.
Basics of Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is meant to help cover the costs associated with emergencies or unforeseen events. For example, if your pet breaks a leg or develops a serious illness, like cancer, a policy can help cover these out-of-pocket expenses. Your policy can cost anywhere between $10-$70 per month, depending on the type of pet and the coverage. It also has a deductible and an annual maximum, meaning the plan will only pay up to that maximum and no more for the year. These plans can cover anywhere from 50-100% of your pet’s health costs.
How to Use Pet Insurance
In many ways, pet insurance is easier to use than human health insurance. There are no networks, meaning you can use your plan at any licensed veterinary clinic in the U.S. There’s also no copay. While you do have to worry about pre-paying for certain procedures, you can talk to your vet to understand when to pay upfront.
Costs Not Covered by Pet Insurance
There are some costs that these plans do not cover. Unlike human health insurance, pet insurance is not meant for routine care or preexisting conditions. It’s only meant for emergency or unexpected cost coverage. This means that most health costs associated with preexisting conditions or routine care are not covered. These include:
- Preexisting or genetic conditions
- Routine checkups/Preventive care
- Common issues like hip dysplasia
- Obedience problems
- Grooming
- Dental disease
Luckily, some insurers will cover certain preexisting conditions. However, there’s some fine print. These insurers will only cover curable preexisting conditions in certain cases. If your pet shows no signs of the condition for 12 months after the onset of the condition, these companies will stop calling it a preexisting condition and begin to cover it for the remainder of your pet’s life.
While some things are not covered by the policies, pet insurance can be a good investment, depending on your needs. Call a Redwood Agent to learn more today!
