Considering Pet Insurance? Here's a Quick Intro!

A Quick Introduction to Pet Health Insurance
Every year more than 1 in 3 pets will fall ill or get injured. And although veterinarians can do amazing things, the fact remains that an unplanned surgery or a trip to the emergency room can run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars in a very short amount of time.

But many of us are not financially prepared to afford the level of care that modern veterinary medicine can provide in treating our pets. With pet health insurance, pet parents never have to choose between an expensive but necessary treatment and a pet’s life.

Your Choice of Veterinarian
All pet insurance plans in the United States permit you to see any veterinarian you like, including specialists and emergency veterinarians. There are no networks of any kind. Some pet insurance plans also will also reimburse you for veterinary fees incurred in other countries if you go on holidays with your pet.

What Does Pet Health Insurance Cover?
Most pet insurance plans provide coverage for the following:

• Treatment for accidents, illnesses, and diseases
• Cancer and chemotherapy
• Surgery, hospitalization, and nursing care
• Laboratory and diagnostic tests including X-rays and MRI scans
• Medication and drugs

Some pet insurance plans also provide coverage for:

• Treatment for genetic and breed-specific conditions
• Chronic and recurring conditions
• Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, holistic therapies, and homeopathic therapies

There may be limited coverage for prescription foods and behavioral therapies, depending on the particular plan.

You may also be able to purchase coverage for routine care coverage that reimburses you for vaccinations, office visits, and spaying/neutering. Routine care coverage can be convenient because it helps you channel your pet health expenses through one place.

What Does Pet Health Insurance Not Cover?
Pet insurance usually does not pay for:

• Cosmetic, elective, or preventive procedures such as tail docking, ear cropping, or declawing (except where medically necessary)
• Veterinary fees related to pregnancy, whelping, or breeding
• Experimental treatments
• Pre-existing conditions
• Orthodontic and endodontic procedures such as root canals or crowns

My Pet Has a Condition Already, Will It Be Covered?
A pre-existing condition is one that your pet had, was diagnosed with, or showed symptoms of before enrolling or during the waiting period. Unfortunately, pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions although you may still be able to get coverage for other conditions. It’s usually best to enroll your pet before she develops any kind of major condition or illness.