How to Choose the Right Pet Insurance for 2022
If you care about the health of your pet, it is important to have pet insurance. However, it is even more crucial to pick the right pet insurance.
Simply buying a random insurance plan for your pet is a recipe for disaster. If the plan doesn’t cover everything you need, you could find yourself in a catastrophic situation.
You should always conduct extensive research on any insurance plan you buy, either for yourself or your pet. A few hours of research could literally be a lifesaver.
There are many different qualities to look for in a great pet insurance plan. What makes the best pet insurance for 2022? Find out below!
Fair Cost
Obviously, the best pet insurance should be one that is fairly priced. Yet, to understand what makes a plan a good deal, you need to be aware of how much typical vet visits cost.
For dogs and cats, you’ll need to pay $50 to $250 for a general wellness check at least once a year. Most likely, you’ll have to pay for other services along the way like vaccinations, heartworm tests, and tick and flea control.
These services can range anywhere from $100-$500. They may be recurring, as well. These expenses may be higher for other species of pets.
General medical expenses can get pretty expensive alone. However, the reason why most pet owners purchase insurance is in case of an accident.
If your pet develops a serious illness or injury, it could shoot your bill up exponentially. In the case that your pet needs surgery, you’ll have to shell out thousands of dollars.
The best pet insurance is one that has a wide range of coverage. The plan you choose should cover any services your pet needs immediately, as well as services they may need in the future. Always plan ahead.
Access to Vets
A great insurance plan should grant you access to quality treatment. Your pet insurance should give you access to a large network of vets, specializing in a variety of fields. It should also give you access to many different hospitals, in the case that one is busy or closed.
Check around your area to see what insurance plans are typically accepted. Make sure that the vets in their network are reputable and experienced.
Also do some research on what your insurance the specialty hospitals in your area accept. During after hours or holidays, these are the only pet care facilities open. Having access to specialty hospitals can be a huge benefit.
Most pet insurance companies allow you to choose the vet you see. However, some discounted plans will only let you pick from a limited amount of vets.
Pre-Existing Conditions
A huge segment of pet insurance policyholders have pets with chronic conditions. If your pet needs a particular treatment or medication regularly, it makes sense to invest in insurance.
Yet, a majority of pet insurance companies have exclusions on pre-existing conditions. This means that if your pet already has a condition at the time of purchasing insurance, any treatment or medication related to that condition will not be covered.
Fortunately, many providers offer riders, or premium add-ons, to add coverage to existing plans. As of right now, this is the best option for pets with pre-existing conditions.
Remember that treatment and medication for chronic conditions are very pricey. Paying for these things out-of-pocket is unwise. Despite the high premiums you may have to pay for a quality insurance plan, if your pet has a chronic condition, you’ll probably save money in the long run.
Also take a look at how different policies define pre-existing conditions. Different companies have different rules regarding the matter.
Here’s a red flag to look out for: if your pet develops a condition while you’re under a plan, and you later decide to update the coverage to that plan, some companies will deem that condition as pre-existing moving forward. This is because they consider revisions to their coverage as an entirely new plan.
Transparency
Lastly, make sure the provider you’re buying from is transparent. Avoid companies that use coded or overly broad language.
Look for companies that are thorough in the description of their coverage and address all the concerns you have. If a particular concern you have isn’t mentioned, chances are, it’s because it’s not covered.
Ultimately, you should ask yourself if the people you’re buying from are people you’d trust with your pet. Dig around the company website and meet the team. Read the brand’s story and mission statement. These things will help you decide if you trust the company.