Buying Pet Health Insurance

Buying Pet Health Insurance

by Red Reed

So you are going to get pet health insurance for Rover and Fluffy. Pet health insurance is every bit as complicated as getting health care for your family. Here are a few things to consider before deciding which company you will choose.

* Ask the Pet Health Insurance provider for a list of vets in your area that they recognize, and then double check with the vet you choose to ensure that he will accept their check. Get your veterinarian's advice on what coverage he thinks you should have then see what the insurance company will cover and at what price.

* Decide if you want the coverage to cover prescriptions, if you do, you may need to ask for a rider to the main policy. Prescriptions for pets can be just as expensive as they are for humans.

* Be sure to see the cap schedule. This will tell you the maximum amount the insurance company will pay out for various fixed conditions, such as loss of a limb, an eye, or the most they will reimburse you for treatment of various cancers.

* Make sure you understand what the deductible is on your pets coverage. This is the amount you have to pay before the insurance kicks in and it differs from company to company. For instance, you might have to pay the first twenty-five dollars on a prescription with the insurance company paying the rest. The higher the deductible the less you will pay in premiums.

* Make sure you understand how the insurance company pays out on claims. Does the vet submit the bill directly to the company and they issue the check to him? Or as is often the case, first you pay the vet, then you submit the bill with the receipt to the insurance company for reimbursement? Is there a waiting period before the insurance company will issue the check, seven to fourteen days is fairly common.

* Another point you have to clarify with the insurance company relates to exclusions. For example some canine breeds are prone to hereditary defects. If such an exclusion pertains to your pet, perhaps you can have an inclusionary rider added if you are willing to pay the extra premium.

* Breeds such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Staffordshire Terriers are commonly excluded for coverage entirely, or at best very limited (and more expensive) coverage. This is due to their hereditary disposition toward hip dysplasia.

* Bulldogs are another example of a breed that may be excluded from complete coverage. Heat stroke, sleep apnea, hip problems and cataracts are among the litany of health problems suffered by bulldogs dues to their flat face and narrow breathing passages.

* You pet health insurance company may exclude your English Cocker Spaniel from cover until he is at least two years old and you can produce a letter from your vet attesting to the pup's good health. The problem here is Familial Nephropathy, it's a genetic condition and generally fatal.

Insurance companies compile statistics and from these they extrapolate the probabilities of risk, which dictate the monthly premiums you have to pay. This applies to pets as it does to all other risks they may cover. The more extensive the coverage you request, the more you have to pay. It's a good idea to get your veterinarian's advice on what coverage he deems best for your pet, then decide on the coverage you need and the size of the premiums you can afford.

Caveat emptor is the best advice when obtaining pet health insurance. - 20511

About the author: Red Reed has insured several pets over the years and writes from experience. (http://www.themoneymastersonline.com/pet-insurance/) pet health insurance
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New Unique Article!

Title: Buying Pet Health Insurance
Author: Red Reed
Email: ewr@shaw.ca
Keywords: pets,dogs,cats,animals,pet insurance,health insurance for pets,pets health care,pets,animals,pet insurance,pets,family
Word Count: 587
Category: dog
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