Pets are our family and the majority of us treat them as such, checking food labels for healthy choices, finding just the right bed for tired joints and spoiling them with treats and toys. Yet, according to the latest American Pet Products Association’s Pet Owners Survey, only 4% of dog owners and 1% of cat owners carry pet insurance policies.
It allows you to pick your veterinarian. Unlike human health insurance policies that usually require you to use a specific health care provider, pet insurance policies allow you to pick the Vet you are happy with. You simply provide the veterinary bill to the insurance company for reimbursement of qualified expenses.
It does not discriminate against any breed or age of pet. While it is advisable to obtain pet insurance as soon as you adopt or purchase your pet to obtain lower premiums, you can also obtain coverage for your pet later, though for some companies there may be restrictions on pre-existing conditions.
Having pet insurance allows you to choose treatment options. Not having strict financial restrictions allows you to select care for your ailing or injured pet based on the best medical options available. Most pet insurance policies reimburse up to 80% of costs after deductibles.
With Abby being a senior we looked at it as a good investment.
But which company to pick? We went with the one recommended by the Lab Rescue folks that micro chipped her but since we've not had to use it yet except for her first teeth cleaning after we adopted her, I can't really review it.
But the folks at Reviews.com HAVE reviewed a number of pet insurance providers for coverages, restrictions, and customer service (after discussing with Vets and health care providers as to what is essential versus "nice to have") and have some information that's worth reading. Just click on the link below.
http://www.reviews.com/
We have been back and forth on this issue. We have never had it and luckily never needed it. Crossing our paws!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
I love the text messages. <3 Yes, pet insurance sure does help. Thanks for this good suggestion to your blogging friends.
ReplyDeleteThis post could not have come at a better time for us. We have been thinkng about getting insurance. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMa had it for her Irish Terrier years ago, and it was awful! They never paid one bill, sayin' that the standard vet price here was overpriced, therefore ineligible! Now, I know it is better now, and yes, Ma would consider getting it, butts the cost for me would be almost as much as HER insurance! (cause I'm a 'senior' apparently...) Anyhu, I thinks it's a good idea for most, if they can find a good company, and a good price.
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Ruby ♥
pees: BTW...I likes bacon too.....
is that goldfish for Abby? interesting... how is the taste?
ReplyDeleteInsurances are very important... we learnt it the hard way... and like always the small things matter... aka the small prints on a contract... Now we are smarter and we know that we are better prepared...
Downsides to pet insurance:
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't pay out at the time of the visit, you still have to pay the vet, and then submit to get reimbursement.
You need to really closely check coverage. I've seen dog insurance that wouldn't have covered half of what I was paying for identical problems I was having with my CAT.
Some insurances won't cover intact animals for some things (like, your intact dog gets hit by a car? Well it's not covered cause OBVIOUSLY he wouldn't have been in the street if he didn't have his hormones! Regardless of the actual situation).
Many won't cover "congenital defects", such as hip dysplasia.