This post was written by Dr. Hafeez, a clinical veterinarian, researcher, and professional content writer.
Being a pet owner is a big responsibility. When you have a pet, it becomes your family member. Whether you own a dog, cat, or any other animal, it becomes your priority to keep your companion as happy and healthy as possible. Unluckily, keeping your four-pawed friend healthy costs you incredibly high due to expensive medical procedures and pricey vet bills.
There is a method to reduce this cost of caring without compromising on your pet’s health, through pet insurance. Just like human health insurance, pet insurance can assist you in cutting down the cost of keeping your pet healthy. Pet insurance is vital for every pet owner.
Pet Insurance
A pet insurance policy assures you that you’d not have to break the bank to meet medical expenses if your pet becomes seriously injured or ill. Pet insurance policy covers all medical procedures that can save your companion’s life. It also assists in reducing some of your annual costs with wellness coverage. Pet insurance makes it affordable and more comfortable to have routine vet checkups without thinking about expensive vet bills.
You can expect the following things from a pet insurance policy:
Select Your Coverage Level
Just like human health insurance, pet insurance companies give you a choice to select a health insurance policy that covers your pet’s healthcare needs. Numerous types of policies are available that offer several levels of coverage for multiple things. Basic insurance covers illnesses and accidents. But you also have an option to upgrade to a wellness plan that covers regular vet services, vaccinations, and other wellness checkups. You can customize your pet insurance plan according to your choice.
Premiums and Deductibles
Similar to health plans, the pet insurance policy has monthly premiums that are different for different plans. It depends on the maximum annual limits, amount of your deductible, the extent of coverage, and other factors. Pet insurance is generally inexpensive for cats than dogs. But you can expect an amount of $30 to $50 per month. Additionally, you are responsible for your annual deductible too.
Claims and Reimbursement
It is the most important difference between pet insurance and human health insurance. Human health insurance kicks in at the service, while pet insurance reimburses you. You’ll have to pay for vet services, but the pet insurance plan will refund you.
Annual Maximums
Annual maximums are determined by how high your monthly premium is. For serious medical problems, veterinary services can cost you up to $20,000. It means that low limit policies can’t cover these expenses. Therefore, it is a wise decision to select an expensive plan with no annual limit to cover all medical costs of your pet.
Benefits of Pet Insurance
1. Save Money
If your pet gets sick or meets an accident, you can use an insurance plan to meet medical health care costs. It protects you from the financial strain of unexpected pricy medical procedures. You don’t have to drain all your savings for taking care of your animal. If your four-pawed friend is hospitalized, the insurance plan will assist in covering the cost of all tests and vet stay. Most of the companies reimburse nearly 80% of the total cost.
2. Focus on Your Pet’s Health
One of the significant benefits of pet insurance is, it brings a peace of mind for you and give the confidence to make decisions for better healthcare of your pet. You can have confidence that if something happens to your lovely companion, you can afford to take care of it. Now, you can focus more on your pet’s health and less worry about veterinary costs.
3. Enhance Your Treatment Options
If your pet has an insurance policy, it makes you be able to select and afford several treatment options. You can afford chemotherapy or life-saving surgeries. These medical procedures cost thousands of dollars, and you may not be able to afford it.
Famous Pet insurance Companies
There are tons of different insurance policy options are available. You can consider some of the following best options:
1. Embrace
Embrace offers an accident and illness plan and a separate wellness plan that covers all routine expenses. Its base plans start at $9 and $13 for cats and dogs, respectively. You can also customize your pet insurance plane according to your choice.
2. Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws offer comprehensive plans. Its annual payouts are unlimited. The average premium is $25 and $35 per month for cats and dogs, respectively. You get reimbursed based on the actual medical cost. It can be used for animals from 8 weeks old to 14 years old.
3. Petfirst
Pet It is the best insurance choice if you have a limited budget. You can get a plan $6 and $12 per month for cats and dogs, respectively. 4. Pets Best It provides several insurance plans, such as accident coverage. On average, Pets Best costs you around $38 per month.
5. Nationwide
Nationwide provides three plans that cost you an average of $33 per month. It costs you $32 and $60 per month for cats and dogs, respectively. Nationwide’s Whole Pet plan covers tons of services.
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