How to Choose Pet Insurance: 5 Detailed Steps

Your furry friends are like family. And just like any other family member, they can experience unexpected health issues or accidents that might catch you off guard. So, it's only natural that you want to give them the best care possible. 

During such times, pet insurance can come in handy. It covers those hefty bills and relieves you of the stress of dipping into your already tight budget. But not all pet insurances are the same. Some will cover costs that others won’t. It’s about choosing a plan that works for you.

However, selecting the right pet insurance isn't like picking out a new chew toy for your furry friend. It's a choice that requires careful research and an understanding of how pet insurance works.

Here are 5 steps to choose the best pet insurance plan:

1. Assess Your Pet's Needs

Both pet insurance and pet wellness plans have been linked to pet health and longevity, as they serve as a safety net for your pet’s care. Your pet’s needs are unique and may not fit into a one-size-fits-all insurance plan. You should consider several things before committing to a specific pet insurance program.

Here are some factors that will help you make an informed decision:

Age

Age is one of the most important factors to consider when predicting how much care your pet will need.

• Younger pets tend to have fewer health issues compared to older ones. However, they're more likely to have accidents like swallowing something they shouldn't or spraining a paw during their daily zoomies. In this case, you'd want insurance that covers accidents. 
• If you have an older pet, you'll want to think about health issues that come with age. These may include arthritis, diabetes, dental issues, heart problems, etc. Therefore, it’s important to look for insurance that covers these common conditions.

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Breed

Different breeds have their own set of health risks. Research common health issues specific to your pet’s breed, and if you are unsure of their breed, consider a pet DNA test.

Next, look for insurance with coverage options for these specific health conditions. For instance, if you have a Golden Retriever, you might want coverage that includes hip dysplasia, a common issue for their breed.

Pre-existing conditions 

Consider your pet's medical history. Does your pet have any pre-existing conditions or chronic illnesses? These are health issues that were present before signing up for a pet insurance plan. Many insurance plans don't cover pre-existing conditions, so knowing your pet’s current health status is important. 

It's also helpful to note that many pet insurance policies have waiting periods. This is a period after you sign up for pet insurance, but the benefits are not yet available. If your pet develops a medical issue during this time, unfortunately, the insurance company won't cover the cost of care.

2. Research Different Types of Coverage

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, there are three main types of pet insurance coverage - comprehensive, accident-only, and wellness plans.

1. Comprehensive policies cover accidents and illness and give you peace of mind knowing that your veterinary bill is covered if your pet falls sick or has an unexpected injury.
2. Accident-only insurance covers accidents such as falls, bites, and other injuries.
3. Wellness plans typically cover routine and preventive vet care. Wellness plans are sometimes called wellness add-ons because they are usually an extra or optional feature.

3. Analyze Your Budget

As a pet parent, you want to give your pet the best, but also ensure that it fits in with your budget.

Here are a few tips to help you choose a pet insurance that aligns with your budget:

Review your monthly income

Start by looking at your monthly income, expenses, and savings. These can provide insight into how much you can comfortably set aside to cover pet insurance premiums.

For instance, if you still have some surplus after covering your expenses and bills, you can consider using a portion of that surplus for pet insurance premiums.

Evaluate premium costs

Premium costs are the monthly or annual payments you make to maintain your pet insurance coverage. These costs can vary based on your pet's age, breed, and the coverage you choose. It's important to be realistic about what you can afford without straining your finances.

While getting affordable premiums is important, you shouldn't sacrifice the level of protection for your pet. However, even though lower premiums may seem attractive, they may come with higher deductibles or lower reimbursement rates. It’s important to read the fine print!

Factor in deductibles

Deductible amounts are paid out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. It's essential to consider the deductibles the pet insurance you choose requires for two main reasons. 

1. First, choosing the right deductible ensures you're financially prepared to cover this initial cost. If you select a deductible that is too high for your budget, you might struggle to pay it when your pet needs medical attention. This means potentially delaying treatment.
2. Second, deductibles can affect how much you pay in monthly or annual premium costs. Higher deductibles typically result in lower monthly premiums, but you'll pay more when a claim arises. Conversely, lower deductibles mean higher monthly premiums but less financial burden when your pet requires medical attention.

Check the coverage limits

Many pet insurance plans have coverage limits for how much they pay for your pet's treatments. Some have annual, lifetime limits, or both, so it's best to ensure you check for these when shopping for pet insurance.

This is important because if a policy has a low annual or lifetime limit, you might still have to dip into your savings for a medical issue.

Consider reimbursement rates

After you've met your deductibles, how much of your veterinary bills will the pet insurance cover? This is what's referred to as reimbursement rates.

If the reimbursement rate is high, your insurance will cover most of or all the vet bills. However, a higher reimbursement rate may also result in higher premium costs.  So, it's up to you to choose between paying high premium costs for high reimbursement rates or topping up bill payments if your policy has a low rate.  

Understand the claims process

Imagine paying high premiums with the expectation that your pet insurance will come through during an emergency. However, you end up caught in a confusing and lengthy claims process. That's a frustrating scenario we all want to avoid, so it's essential to understand how the claims process works before choosing pet insurance.

In emergencies, you'll want a provider with a swift claims process. So, find out about the speed at which your pet insurance company processes and reimburses claims.

Additionally, try to gauge the insurance company's customer support and responsiveness. This might mean reading customer reviews and asking questions to pet owners already using insurance.

4. Read Reviews and Seek Recommendations

A pet insurance policy may look great on paper but could also have the worst customer reviews. Therefore, do your due diligence before settling on pet insurance coverage.

Read online customer reviews on popular review websites such as:

• Better Business Bureau (BBB)
• Consumer Reports
• Google
• Forums like Reddit and Quora
• Social Media

You can also ask for recommendations from friends, family, and a veterinarian.

5. Compare Plans and Policies

After reviewing everything you need in a pet insurance policy, you may have several options that stand out. If this happens, it's best to compare pet insurance plans side by side so that you get the best option. Comparing these plans can help pinpoint a few things you may have missed during your initial research.

You can organize your findings into a clear and concise comparison chart. Here, you should list the insurance providers you're considering, their coverage details, deductible amounts, reimbursement rates, and any unique features or policy exclusions.

Conclusion

Just like people, having insurance for our pets makes a lot of sense. Having a pet insurance plan in place will ensure that unexpected costs of care are covered, and you won’t have to make decisions based on the size of the veterinary bills.

Looking for a pet wellness plan to manage the cost of your pet’s preventative care?

BetterVet Wellness Club include convenient mobile appointments and flat monthly payments that match your budget. The best part? You can manage your pet's vet care from the comfort of your home.