When you are buying pet insurance, it is crucial to understand the details. Most plans focus on accidents and unexpected illnesses. Pre-existing conditions and preventative care are not covered by most plans. You should consider purchasing a plan that includes wellness benefits to ensure you have the best coverage.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage includes all medical expenses for your pet. This includes vaccinations, annual wellness exams, long-term illness, and surgery. All prescription medicines, eye, ear, and antibiotics are covered. Some policies cover pre-existing diseases. It is crucial to know what your insurance policy covers, and which options will be best for you pet.
Comprehensive pet insurance covers a variety of conditions including hereditary diseases. It also covers ongoing care and diagnostic tests. For example, dental care is covered up until a maximum $1,000/year. It also covers treatment for genetic diseases and other illnesses. Additional, coverage for pets that are already covered under insurance continues even after they have been renewed.
Exclusion of pre-existing conditions
If you're buying pet insurance for your dog, it's important to know what is covered and what isn't. Some pre-existing conditions might be excluded from coverage. These conditions can include degenerative or chronic diseases. A dog with chronic diarrhea might be excluded for 12 months.
Pre-existing conditions are not covered by most pet insurance policies. However, there are exceptions. Some plans cover common illnesses and conditions that are considered "pre-existing." Many companies also provide coverage for genetic and/or hereditary conditions. These policies will vary depending on the insurer.
Excessive co-insurance
You may be required to pay an additional amount depending on the health status and age of your pet. Some insurers require that you do this. Others don't. You should carefully read the policy documents to find out if there are any coinsurance clauses. A pet insurance policy without compulsory co-insurance may be more affordable.
Compare policies to determine how much excess you will need for each condition. There are varying amounts of excess in policies. Some policies have a fixed amount while others have an adjustable amount. Consider where you live as well as the age of your pet.
Annual deductible
An annual deductible pet insurance plan is great for budgeting. You only need to pay the deductible once per policy year. This means that you can take your pet as many times to the vet as you like. This means you don't have to worry that your pet will need to visit the vet every so often.
You can also choose to have a per-incident policy with pet insurance. This deductible applies only if your pet goes to the veterinarian. Each new incident counts as a separate incident. Unlike annual deductibles, per-incident deductibles reset with every new incident. A per-incident deductible is higher than the annual deductible, so you may have to pay more than one per year if your pet has multiple illnesses or injuries.