Pet Insurance- What it is, What it Covers

Pet Insurance Covers Expensive Vet Bills When Your Pet Gets Sick or Injured

As an animal lover and “mom” of two dogs, one cat and various neighborhood strays and wildlife– I thought it would be important to share some information about pet insurance in our blog.  There are some misconceptions out there about pet insurance, what it covers and doesn’t and how to get coverage. Let’s start at the beginning…

What is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is coverage that helps you pay veterinary bills in the event that your cat, dog, bird or exotic pet falls ill or is injured and requires veterinary attention. Coverage for your pet’s medical bills is not covered under standard homeowners insurance so if you need pet insurance coverage you will have to buy a separate pet insurance policy.

Like all types of insurance, coverage varies from one company to the next but typically the following are covered:

• Lab fees
• Surgeries
• Prescriptions
• Office visits

How it Works
Standard pet insurance usually requires you to pay up front for your veterinary bills at the time of service. Once you submit a claim with all required paperwork the insurance company will begin filing your claim. If the claim is approved you should receive reimbursement from your pet insurance company up to the allowance in your policy.

Most pet insurance policies have a deductible which can be as low as $50.  This deductible works just like a standard “human” medical insurance deductible. The deductible signifies the amount of money you must pay out of pocket before your insurance company will start providing coverage.

Types of Plans
Again, pet insurance plans vary from one company to the next, but most pet insurance companies offer a few different types of plans depending on your pet and your needs as a pet owner.  Some plans offer coverage for a wider range of illness and accidents- others just provide a higher level of reimbursement than others.

Where to Get It
When searching for a pet insurance company make sure to shop around and find a company that is easy to work with and responsive to your needs. In the event of a claim you want to make sure you are working with a company that will quickly process your claim.  Also be sure to find a company that offers the right kind of coverage for your pet and your needs.  Here are a few popular pet insurance companies you might want to check out:

Embrace Pet Insurance

VPI Pet Insurance

Pets Best Insurance