What should I know about pet health insurance?
The American Animal Hospital Association strongly suggests that all pet
owning families assess their financial situation and consider their ability
to meet unexpected expenses that may be incurred for veterinary care. For
some families, these expenses may be met through existing savings. Others
may be able to use credit card reserves or medical payment cards. Some
families should consider budgeting for these expenses and still others may
want to consider protecting themselves through pet health insurance
policies.
The American Animal Hospital Association is not
affiliated with any pet health insurance company, nor do we have information
regarding pet insurance companies, their policies or costs.
For those considering pet health insurance, AAHA offers
the following suggestions:
*Be sure you understand what the policy covers.
Some policies (but not all) cover some preventative care, such as
vaccinations, but there may be additional cost for this coverage.
*Understand the exclusions. Almost all
policies exclude pre-existing conditions and some exclude hereditary
conditions. Some may exclude certain conditions unique to certain breeds.
*Almost all policies have a deductible
and a co-pay requirement. Some pay according to a set schedule of “usual and
customary fees” while some pay based on the actual incurred expense. Be sure
you understand how expenses will be reimbursed.
*Ask whether or not the policy allows you
to seek care from a veterinarian of your own choosing or whether you must go
to a veterinarian that participates in the company’s network of providers.
When faced with a pet’s serious illness, most pet owners want to be able to
obtain care from their regular veterinarian.
*Speak with your veterinarian or someone
on her practice team. While veterinarians do not sell insurance, chances are
they have had experience with the policy you are considering and can provide
helpful advice.
Again, veterinary care can provide your pet with many
years of healthy and happy life. Managing the expense of veterinary care can
be done in a number of ways; the important advice is to think about it
before the need arises.
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