It's crucial to be clear about what's covered and not when purchasing pet insurance. Most pet insurance plans only cover accidents and unplanned illnesses. These plans don't include pre-existing and preventative healthcare. A plan with wellness benefits will provide you the most comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage
Pet insurance offers comprehensive coverage that covers everything your pet needs, including annual wellness exams and vaccinations as well long-term illness or surgery. All prescription medications, eye and/or ear drops, antibiotics and other medical expenses are covered. Some policies also provide coverage for pre-existing conditions. It is important that you understand the limits of your policy and what options are available for your pet.
Comprehensive pet insurance covers a wide range of conditions, including hereditary illnesses and diseases. The policy also includes ongoing care, diagnostic tests, and treatment. It covers dental care up to $1,000/year and also covers genetic disorders and other illnesses. In addition, insurance plans that cover pets automatically renew their coverage.
Exclusion of pre-existing conditions
When you are buying pet insurance for your dog it is essential to know what is covered. You may not be covered for certain pre-existing medical conditions. These include chronic and degenerative illnesses. If your dog suffers from chronic diarrhea, for example, you might be unable to provide coverage for 12 months.
Pre-existing conditions are not covered by most pet insurance policies. However, there are exceptions. Some plans cover common diseases and conditions that are considered "preexisting". Many companies also provide coverage for genetic and/or hereditary conditions. These policies will be specific to the insurer.
Excessive co-insurance
Depending on your pet's age and health status, you may need to pay an excess as part of your pet insurance policy. Some insurance companies require you to pay this amount, while others allow it. Make sure to check your policy for any coinsurance clauses. A pet insurance policy without compulsory co-insurance may be more affordable.
Consider how much excess each policy will cost when comparing policies. While some policies have a maximum excess, others allow you to adjust it. Consider where you live as well as the age of your pet.
Annual deductible
Annual deductible pet insurance plans are ideal for budgeting and are flexible as you only have to meet the deductible once during the policy year. You can take your pet to the veterinarian as many times you want. This will ensure that you don't worry about paying high vet bills for your pet every time they need it.
An option for pet insurance is a per event deductible. This deductible applies only when you take your pet to the veterinarian. Each incident is considered a separate event. Per-incident deductibles reset with each incident, rather than an annual deductible. A per-incident or per-incident deductible is usually higher than an annual deductible. You might need to pay more each year if your pet has multiple conditions or injuries.