Pre Existing Conditions and Pet Insurance: What Isn’t Covered

• Pre existing conditions
• Dental conditions
• Heredity conditions
• Hip dysplasia
• Behavioral issues
• Grooming needs
• Any nonessential surgery (for example, declawing or ear cutting)

Time-limited pet insurance policies

Time-limited policies only offer coverage for a certain period of time. However, these policies can be renewed after the time limit has been reached. These policies also come with financial limits.

A maximum-benefit policy has a cap to the coverage, meaning it will only cover a certain amount of expenses. Once the maximum amount is reached, you must pay any remaining costs out-of-pocket.

Pet Insurance Costs

Lifetime policies usually provide coverage for most issues that come with a pet. Assuming you renew your pet insurance policy each year, a lifetime policy will offer coverage for the pet’s entire life.

No pet insurance plan will cover everything. Some common examples of exclusions you’re likely to find on your policy include:

Evaluation for Preexisting Conditions

Pet insurance companies consider pre-existing conditions to be an illness or injury that emerged prior to coverage beginning. Insurance companies consider a pre-existing condition to be either curable or incurable. Some companies will not consider a condition to be pre-existing if it is curable, and will therefore provide coverage for it. This is very dependent on the company and the plan you get for your pet.

Some examples of pre-existing conditions that are considered to be curable are ear infections and vomiting. Some examples of pre-existing conditions that are considered incurable are diabetes and allergies. If a condition requires ongoing medication and veterinarian visits, it will most likely not be covered by your insurance provider.

How Does Pet Insurance Payment Work?

The cost of pet insurance is dependent on a variety of factors. These factors include species, breed, age, where you live, and the insurance plan you choose for your furry family member. Older and larger animals tend to have higher insurance rates.

Though the specific price that you’ll pay for your insurance coverage will vary by breed and insurance provider, you can expect basic dog insurance to begin at about $25 per month. For cat insurance, the monthly premium can begin at $10 per month with most major pet insurance providers. The best way to learn specifically what you’ll pay for your pet insurance is to collect a quote from a few competing pet insurance providers. The national average cost for dog insurance is $585.40, while cat owners may expect to pay around $350 annually.

Veterinary Care Costs

One of the biggest reasons why pet owners may need to purchase a pet insurance policy is because they vastly underestimate just how much emergency veterinary care can cost. The average cost for unexpected veterinary care begins at $800 and may cost up to $7,000 if your pet requires major surgery. Considering the fact that almost 70% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings, this means that a comprehensive insurance plan can literally be a lifesaver if your pet gets into an accident.

Even the best dog insurance or cat insurance won’t cover everything. Educating yourself on some of the average expenses and frequent medical issues for the age and breed of pet you’re adopting can help you prepare yourself financially for your new friend — and can help you decide if you’d be saving money by investing in a pet insurance policy.

Is Pet Insurance Worth it?

When you receive treatment, you’ll pay for the care you receive directly at the veterinarian during your visit. You’ll keep your receipt and then submit the receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement. Some veterinarians require that you pay for services at the time that you receive them while others will bill you later. Know your vet’s process, and be sure you can pay for your services.

Pet Insurance by Age and Activities

If you cannot afford to pay for treatments up front, you may want to try to arrange a payment plan with your veterinarian. Tell your vet that you have insurance and show proof of your coverage. Then, tell your vet you need a payment arrangement while you wait for reimbursement. Many veterinarians will be happy to work with you once they know you have coverage.

How Does the Claims Process and Reimbursement Work?

After you send in your receipt for a claims, your insurance company will compare your coverage against the treatments you’ve received. If the insurance company determines that you qualify for a reimbursement, it usually will issue you your refund in the form of an electronic deposit or through a check in the mail.

An important point to remember — your pet insurance doesn’t work in the same way as your health insurance. Your veterinarian won’t bill your insurance company on your behalf. You’ll need to be prepared to do a bit of legwork and keep your important documentation safe until you’re reimbursed by your insurance provider.

Pet insurance for young pets

If you have a cat or dog living in your household, you already know that your furry friend isn’t just another possession — he or she is an important member of your family. Although homeowners insurance policies won’t cover your pet’s health, you can purchase an independent pet insurance policy to protect yourself against high medical care costs. But are these policies worth the price? Let’s take a deeper look.

Your pet’s age and lifestyle can help determine whether or not pet insurance is worth it for you.

Even the most careful pet owner can end up with an injured pet on their hands. Pet insurance helps you cover some of the costs associated with taking your pet to the veterinarian after an accident or injury. Pet insurance works in much the same way as auto insurance. First, you’ll take your pet to receive medical care and then file a claim with your insurance company. Your insurance company will then reimburse you if your treatments or services are covered by your plan.

Pet insurance for young pets

Proper veterinary care for your young pet should be high on your list of obligatory expenses when first adopting a furry friend. For example, puppies almost always come with a hefty list of health and routine care needs, even if they are completely healthy and have no preexisting conditions. The cost of vaccinations that are needed, along with spaying or neutering, can quickly add up if you don’t budget for these expenses beforehand.

Due to the need for frequent veterinary visits for young pets, your pet’s youth is a great time to buy pet insurance. Rates for pet insurance are based on the type of pet, age, breed and location. Therefore, younger pets will often have a lower rate than older animals of their same breed.

Pet insurance can also ensure that any underlying conditions or issues that arise in the future won’t break the bank. Getting insurance for a young pet will make sure that the new family member will always get the care they need.

Healthy pets

Getting pet insurance while your pet is still healthy is a smart precaution. Your healthy pet could have a medical emergency at any moment, which can mean expensive vet bills.

Don’t assume that you’ll be able to wait until your pet is injured before you sign up for a pet insurance policy. Most pet insurance plans include a waiting period that controls when your benefits begin.