What Does Pet Insurance Cover and How to Reduce its Cost?

When you love your pets so much that you consider them true members of your family, you surely want them to be happy and healthy as long as possible. But, illnesses and accidents do happen and, unfortunately, the veterinary fees rise. So, is it time to think about pet insurance? What does pet policy cover and how could you reduce the insurance costs? Keep on reading to find out!

Basically, pet insurance covers the cost and treatment of illnesses, accidents, as well as routine wellness visits. Nevertheless, not all treatments, services and medications are always reimbursed. Breed-related diseases and well as pre-existing medical conditions are usually excluded, although each insurance company offers different plans. In most cases, soon after enrollment, your pet needs to be examined by a vet. Before submitting a health checkup form, make sure that the insurer allows you to go to the vet you trust. Also, sometimes there’s a waiting period after you buy a pet insurance plan when some claims couldn’t be covered.

Talking about making claims, while some companies pay a maximum amount per diagnosis only, after the deductible, others pay a percentage of a covered cost. In any case, you need to pay a vet first, and afterwards file a claim for reimbursement.

So, how can you legally reduce pet insurance costs? First of all, get your pet spayed/neutered, since that helps to lower insurance costs. It’s good to get your furry companion micro-chipped; many insurers charge a little less when a pet’s been chipped. Also, it’s recommended to insure your pets when they are healthy and young, because any existing medical issues may hike up an insurance premium. Even though the right policy can help pet owners cut veterinary expenses, not all pet insurance policies are created equal. Therefore, shop around to find the best deals and insurance packages for your beloved pet.