It is important to know what coverage is available for your pet when you purchase a pet insurance policy. Most plans will only cover unavoidable illnesses or accidents. They don't cover pre-existing or preventative care. In order to get the most comprehensive coverage, you should purchase a plan with wellness benefits.
Comprehensive coverage
Pet insurance offers comprehensive coverage that covers everything your pet needs, including annual wellness exams and vaccinations as well long-term illness or surgery. All prescription medications, eye and/or ear drops, antibiotics and other medical expenses are covered. Pre-existing conditions may also be covered by some policies. It is important to know how much your insurance policy covers and which options would be best for your pet.
Comprehensive pet insurance covers a range of ailments, including hereditary diseases and illnesses. This insurance also covers ongoing care as well as diagnostic and treatment 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.
Exclusions for pre-existing conditions
It's important that you know the details of pet insurance. Some conditions that are pre-existing may be excluded. These include chronic and degenerative illnesses. For example, if your dog has chronic diarrhea, it might be excluded from coverage for 12 months.
While most pet insurance policies will not cover preexisting conditions or illnesses, there are exceptions. Some plans cover common diseases and conditions that are considered "preexisting". Many companies also provide coverage for genetic and/or hereditary conditions. These policies are specific to the insurance company.
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. For any co-insurance clauses, make sure you read your policy. 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. While some policies have a maximum excess, others allow you to adjust it. It is also important to think about where you live and what age your pet is.
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.
A per-incident deductible is also an option for pet insurance. This deductible does not apply if you take your pet to the vet. Each new incident counts individually. 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.