Dog Health Insurance

About Dog Health Insurance

Ask yourself these questions:

• What would you do if your dog suddenly became ill or injured?
• Would you be able to provide him/her with all the veterinary care needed?
• How would you pay for that care?

The price of specialized veterinary care can be expensive, and not everyone can pay for that care out of pocket. One alternative? Pile the charges on to your credit card and incur additional interest fees. A better alternative? Plan ahead for your pet's medical needs with a dog health insurance plan.

Dog health insurance plans can offer pet owners peace of mind, knowing that they will be able to provide their pets with the same standard of medical care that they would want for their own children.

How Does It Work?

Insurance 101

For a fee, also referred to as a premium, a health care plan will provide either partial or complete financial reimbursement, aka benefits, for his/her medical expenses, depending on the specific coverages designated by an individual policy.

These benefits are typically only paid after the policyowner has paid the deductible, a specified amount the owner must pay toward medical care before insurance coverage is activated. Some agencies also offer policies that require no deductible, but the premiums will be much higher than plans that include a deductible.

In layman's terms, this means you'll pay for the policy, likely also pay a set portion of the medical expenses, and then the insurance plan will kick in with it's share. However, there are other plans that require you to pay all the charges up front, then submit a copy of your billings for reimbursement.

Policies are active for a specified term, but you can renew them as needed, usually on an annual basis.

Choosing a Veterinarian

Typically, most dog health insurance companies allow you to choose your own licensed veterinarian, so you can stay with your established vet rather than choosing an unfamiliar new vet from a list of approved care providers.

Typical Plans

When consulting with a particular dog health insurance agency, you will have the opportunity to review and compare several types of policies in order to select a plan that provides the coverage you want at a price that is within your means.

Policies offered can cover a range of care levels, but in general you'll find most are divided into three basic categories:

Standard Care Plan

This type of plan covers basic health care needs caused by illness and accidental injuries.

Pros and cons: The premiums charged for this kind of plan are usually among the most affordable, but you'll wind up paying a higher deductible, and the amount of reimbursement may also be lower than a more advanced plan.

Advanced care plan

Covers health care needs caused by illness and accidental injuries, and offers policyholders a higher rate of reimbursement for their medical bills.

Pros and cons: A lower deductible is usually offset by a higher premium but choosing this type of plan means you'll have lower out-of-pocket expenses at the time service is required. This can be especially beneficial during an unexpected emergency.

Optional riders

Riders are specific add-ons to a policy that provide extended care coverage and are available for an extra fee. Typical riders include extended coverage for cancer treatment, routine vaccination/heart worm prevention treatments, dental care, etc.

Coverage Provided

Dog health insurance plans can vary greatly, so it's important to understand what is covered before you sign up for a specific policy.

A typical policy might include coverage for:

• Accidental injury
• Policy specifics illnesses
• Necessary surgeries
• Prescriptions
• Hospitalization
• Basic cancer care

What May Not Be Covered

Don't make the mistake of assuming you are covered for all of your dog's health care needs. Some conditions/illnesses that may not be covered on a policy might include:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Behavioral problems/disorders
• Congenital/hereditary defects and illnesses
• Dental problems
• Special dietary needs/supplements
• Veterinary boarding expenses after surgery
• Diagnostic tests/treatments related to non-covered conditions/illnesses
• Cosmetic procedures; ear and tail docking, etc.
• Pregnancy care
• Spaying/neutering
• Illnesses preventable by vaccination

What's the Cost?

As previously mentioned, the cost of any dog health care plan depends on the type of coverage being provided, and what, if any, deductibles are to paid, but basic insurance coverage can be found for as little as $10.00 a month.

Conclusion

A health insurance policy for your pet is only as good as the coverage it provides, so be certain you understand exactly what you'll be getting for your money.

Comparison shop before you settle on a specific company or policy, and take the time to check the background of any agency you consider doing business with. Your current vet may be able to recommend reputable agencies he/she has had experience with, but you can also check out agencies through your local Better Business Bureau.

External Links

• Veterinary Pet Insurance for dogs, cats, birds, and other exotic pets.
• PetCareInsurance.com is a source of affordable pet health insurance.
• Pet Professorprovides a comparison shopping guide for pet health insurance.

You can also visit LoveToKnow Insurance for more general insurance info and articles.