It's crucial to be clear about what's covered and not when purchasing pet insurance. Most plans will only cover unavoidable illnesses or accidents. But they do not cover preventative or pre-existing care. For the best coverage, consider purchasing a policy with wellness benefits.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage of pet insurance covers a range of medical expenses for your pet, from vaccinations and annual wellness exams to long-term illness and surgery. All prescription medicines, eye and hearing drops, as well as antibiotics, are covered. Some policies cover pre-existing diseases. It is important that you understand the limits of your policy and what options are available for your pet.
Comprehensive pet insurance covers a variety of conditions including hereditary diseases. The policy also includes ongoing care, diagnostic tests, and treatment. For example, dental care is covered up until a maximum $1,000/year. It also covers treatment for genetic diseases and other illnesses. In addition, insurance plans that cover pets automatically renew their coverage.
Pre-existing conditions excluded
It's crucial to be informed about what's covered and not covered when purchasing pet insurance for your dogs. Some pre-existing conditions might be excluded from coverage. These could include chronic or degenerative diseases. You might exclude your dog from coverage for 12 month if it has chronic diarrhea.
Most pet insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, although there are some exceptions. Some plans cover common conditions and illnesses that are not considered "pre-existing." Many companies also cover genetic or inheritable conditions. These policies are specific to the insurance company.
Excessive co-insurance
Your pet's age, health status and other factors may require you to pay an extra amount as part of your pet insurance policy. This is a requirement of some insurers, while others don't. Check your policy documentation for any coinsurance clauses. A policy that doesn't require co-insurance is cheaper than one that does.
When comparing policies, make sure you consider how much the excess will be for each condition. Some policies have a predetermined excess amount, while others have adjustable amounts. Also, consider your location and the age of your pet.
Annual deductible
Annual deductible pet insurance plans can be a great way to budget and they are also flexible because you only have one policy year to meet your deductible. This means you can take your pet to the vet as many times as you need to. This way you won't have to worry about incurring high bills every time your pet needs a visit to the vet.
You can also choose to have a per-incident policy with pet insurance. This deductible is only applicable when your pet visits the veterinarian. Each new event counts as an individual incident. Per-incident, unlike annual deductibles. A per-incident or per-incident deductible is usually higher than an annual deductible. You might need to pay more each year if your pet has multiple conditions or injuries.