If you're looking to purchase pet insurance, it's important that you understand what's covered. Most plans will only cover unavoidable illnesses or accidents. They don't cover pre-existing or preventative care. A plan with wellness benefits will provide you the most comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive pet insurance coverage covers all medical expenses. All prescription medications, eye and/or ear drops, antibiotics and other medical expenses are covered. Pre-existing conditions may also be covered by some policies. It is crucial to know what your insurance policy covers, and which options will be best for you pet.
Comprehensive pet insurance covers a wide range of conditions, including hereditary illnesses and diseases. You also get ongoing care, as well as diagnostic tests and treatments. It covers dental care up to $1,000/year and also covers genetic disorders and other illnesses. Additional, coverage for pets that are already covered under insurance continues even after they have been renewed.
Pre-existing conditions excluded
It is important to understand what coverage is available for your dog when you purchase pet insurance. Certain pre-existing conditions may be excluded from coverage. These include chronic and degenerative illnesses. You might exclude your dog from coverage for 12 month if it has chronic diarrhea.
Most pet insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, although there are some exceptions. Some plans cover common diseases and conditions that are considered "preexisting". Many companies also cover genetic and hereditary conditions. These policies will differ from one insurer to another.
Co-insurance excess
You might need to pay an excess in your pet insurance policy depending on your pet's health and age. This is a requirement of some insurers, while others don't. Make sure to check your policy for any coinsurance clauses. It may be cheaper to buy a pet insurance policy that does not require compulsory co-insurance.
Compare policies to determine how much excess you will need for each condition. Some policies have an excess amount that is fixed, while others can be adjusted. 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. This means you can take your pet to the vet as many times as you need to. This will ensure that you don't worry about paying high vet bills for your pet every time they need it.
A per-incident deductible is also an option for pet insurance. This deductible only applies when your pet is taken to the vet. Each new incident counts as a separate incident. Per-incident, unlike annual deductibles. The per-incident cost deductible is more expensive than the annual one. This means that you might have to pay more if your pet has multiple injuries or illnesses.