SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Dog Care
Dog Care Tips
What
Is Pet Insurance?
Although pet insurance has been available for approximately
20 years, many pet owners have never heard of it and are
surprised that such a thing would even exist. After all,
insurance is for people, right? Well, if you have ever had
to empty your savings account in order to pay for a pet’s
surgery or if you have ever had to put a beloved pet to sleep
because you couldn’t afford medical care, then you can absolutely
testify to the usefulness and worth of pet insurance.
As is the case with most other health-related expenses, the
costs associated with an average pet’s medical care - preventative,
emergency and catastrophic – are rising all the time. If you
have multiple pets, the cost of even the most basic care can
be financially crippling. When deciding whether or not to buy
a health insurance policy for your pet, you have to ask yourself
a few questions. Do you consider your pet to be a member of
the family? Would you be unable to pay for (potentially) thousands
of dollars in medical bills if your pet develops cancer or
needs long-term medical care? Would it absolutely break your
family’s heart to have to euthanize your pet because you didn’t
plan ahead for potential health crises? If you answered “yes”
to any of these questions, then you’ll want to seriously consider
purchasing an insurance policy for your pet.
What Kind of Pet Insurance Is Available?
Pet insurance is now available through a multitude of specialty
companies; and, just as with your average health insurance
plan, the higher the premium, the greater the range of benefits
you and your pet receive. The average plan costs anywhere from
$20 - $40 per month and has either no annual benefit limit
at all or a limit of approximately $15,000 - $20,000. Many
plans offer discounts for coverage of multiple pets. Your deductible
will be determined by the plan you choose, but the average
is approximately $100 per year.
Since the majority of the medical expenses generated by a
pet are related to routine procedures, look for a plan that
covers vaccinations, neutering and spaying, annual check-ups
and dental care. You want your pet to be protected in case
he develops a serious illness or injury, but these lower-budget
procedures can also put a big dent in your bank account. Make
sure you’re pet is covered!
What Sort of Restrictions Are There?
You may be willing to pay for your pet’s health insurance,
but that doesn’t mean an insurance company will automatically
cover him. If your pet is over a certain age, he may be denied
coverage. Even if you find insurance for your pet, there are
always certain coverage limits and restrictions. Most policies
won’t cover the treatment of pre-existing conditions or genetic
defects. Sometimes cancer is also excluded from coverage (although
many companies will add cancer care to the coverage for an
additional cost).
Be aware of any waiting periods that are written into your
pet’s policy. The waiting period will determine when your pet’s
coverage actually begins – waiting periods can last anywhere
from two weeks to six months. Once your plan takes effect,
you may have to choose a veterinarian from a list of approved
providers.
What Are the Alternatives to Pet Insurance?
If your pet does not qualify for insurance or if you simply
choose not to buy a policy, there are a few money-saving options
you can try. One example is a pet health care discount program
(i.e. Pet Assure). When you join the program, you receive a
discount (up to 25%) on your pet’s medical care as long as
you patronize participating veterinarians. Other benefits,
such as prescription discounts and access to product coupons,
are also included in the membership fee.
If your uninsured dog needs emergency medical care and you
have no funds available, ask your vet if their clinic offers
any sort of emergency funding. Sometimes veterinarians will
set aside funds for pets whose owners cannot afford care, especially
if the treatment does not involve long-term care and multiple
visits. If there are no such funds set aside, you may be able
to finance the fees. A final option (and definitely a long-shot)
is the humane society or non-profit pet support group that
offers financial aid. You have to apply for their limited funds
and few applicants actually receive enough money to pay the
totality of their pet’s medical bills. Insurance is really
the only way to make sure that your pet can receive costly
medical care if he needs it. #
# # # #
SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
>
Home Page > Dog
Care Articles:
Main Page |
