Category Archives: Pet Insurance

Best Pet Insurance Companies

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pet health for elderly pets

As pets age, you may need to visit the vet more than you did when your pet was younger. Older pets are living longer and longer because vet medical care has gotten better and better over the years. Unfortunately, many pet parents wait until their pet has an accident or illness before they purchase pet insurance, but pet insurance can be very beneficial during times of crisis because you are not forced to choose between your pet’s care and your wallet.

When it comes to pet insurance, there are many options. We’ve compiled a list of the top pet insurance companies to consider for older pets. In many cases, if you have waited until your pet is older to get pet insurance, you may be required to get a check up for your pet, and in other cases there may be a waiting period for coverage, but it is still worth it because medical expenses can add up quickly.

Top Rated by Consumers

Embrace Pet Insurance offers an accident and illness plan, plus it offers a separate wellness plan for routine medical expenses. Monthly premiums start as low as $10 per month for cats and $16 per month for dogs. You can choose your deductible anywhere from $200 up to $1,000. Benefit limits can be selected for 70% up to 90% of annual costs. Age limit is 14 years of age. 

Features:

  • Diminishing deductible
  • Claims processed / paid quickly
  • Extra reimbursements
  • Optional wellness plan

Petfirst Pet Insurance is a good option if you are looking for a lower cost insurance plan for your elderly pet. Plans start as low as $6 per month for cats and $12 per month for dogs. Petfirst has an annual maximum they will pay per year, which means if your pet develops a chronic illness that requires a lot of medication or expensive treatments, this may not be your best option because only so much is paid per year. The clock does reset at the beginning of the year though so some may find that the monthly cost is worth the maximum yearly benefit. Since there is no maximum age limit and no exam required to start coverage, this may be a best bet for an older pet. 

Features:

  • No maximum age limit
  • Two week claim turnaround
  • No exam required to start coverage
  • Short waiting periods
  • Optional routine care rider

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance also has a maximum age limit of 14 years with premiums ranging from $25 per month for cats and $35 per month for dogs. However there is no annual maximum on the amount of benefits to be paid, which means if your pet has a serious health condition that requires a lot of medication or treatments, or surgeries, your plan will pay as long as you meet your deductible. 

Dog insurance and cat insurance from Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. Get pet insurance reviews. Compare pet insurance plans.

Features:

  • Annual deductible
  • Quick claim processing
  • No annual maximum
  • Flexible deductible and coverage options

Trupanion is similar to some of the other pet insurance companies but one major difference is it offers additional rider options that include things like physical therapy, alternative treatments and much more. It does offer an age restriction of 14 years but it has deductibles as low as $0 up to $1,000. Premiums are as low as $22 per month for cats and $36 per month for dogs and covers 90% of services after deductibles are met. 

Features:

  • No payout limits
  • Customized deductible
  • Riders for enhanced care
  • 90% of services after deductible

Most pet insurance plans have maximum benefit limits either per year or per lifetime. When choosing a pet insurance company, be leery of lifetime limits because if a pet develops a chronic illness like diabetes, arthritis, or heart disease, lifetime limits won’t get you too far in terms of coverage. Be sure when choosing a plan that you ask questions about plan limitations before signing up. Some pet insurance companies have no maximum benefit limits which is much better if your pet develops a chronic condition that requires expensive regular care. 

Our pets are part of our family and no pet parent wants to choose between their pet’s care and their wallet. Pet insurance will give you the piece of mind that you will be able to care for your pet regardless of whether they develop a short term or long term illness. Be prepared, some illnesses are very expensive to treat and pet insurance, albeit a monthly cost, can help drastically defray those costs over time. Don’t wait until your pet gets sick, consider your pet insurance options and choose the best one for your financial situation and comfort level. 

Still undecided if pet insurance is right for your elderly pet? Read our pet insurance facts. 

Pet Insurance Facts

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What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Pet insurance is designed to cover the unexpected accidents and illnesses that you just can’t plan for, such as when the dog swallows something he shouldn’t, or the cat gets a urinary tract infection. Pet insurance is like any other type of insurance, you pay a monthly or quarterly premium and it is there for you when you need it. Coverage typically includes emergencies, hereditary or congenital conditions, cancer, and chronic conditions. To our knowledge there are no pet insurance companies that cover pre-existing conditions, and most plans do not cover wellness visits like annual exams or teeth cleaning.

When selecting a pet insurance company, choose one that offers one clear and comprehensive plan that provides you and your pet with no caps on claim payouts. Be careful here, we once had a plan that had lifetime caps on certain illnesses and then once we reached the cap for a certain illness, they tried to connect every other illness the pet had back to the capped illness – and wouldn’t pay another dime regardless of what illnesses the pet had – as far as they were concerned, everything was interrelated from that point forward. We’ve listed a couple of pet insurance options below; we feel these companies differ from many pet insurance companies in the options they offer. It is important that you purchase pet insurance BEFORE your elderly pet gets sick though because there are no pet insurance companies that will cover a pet with a pre existing illness.

What’s Covered?

Different companies offer different types of coverage. Some variables to watch out for:

  • Deductible—The amount you’re responsible for before benefits kick in.
    Deductibles can be annual or per incident (annual is usually recommended).
  • Reimbursement Level—The percentage of the remaining cost (after the
    deductible) you can expect the insurance company to cover. You can typically
    choose from 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement levels, with higher reimbursement levels resulting in a more expensive monthly premium.
  • Limits on Benefits—Look for companies that have no annual or lifetime limits on the dollar amount they will pay to cover your vet bills. If your pet suffers a serious injury or illness you’ll be glad your coverage doesn’t have a cap.
  • Coverage Exclusions—Look for companies that cover all accidents and
    illnesses, including genetic and hereditary conditions, and do not exclude conditions based on breed.

What’s Not Covered:

It is important to note that no policy covers pre-existing conditions (so don’t wait until your pet has an unexpected trip to the vet to consider pet insurance). Most policies don’t cover wellness care either (those annual vet exams and necessary vaccines); some companies do offer wellness coverage, but the cost can just as much or more than paying the vet directly for those services. For most, pet insurance is most effective for unexpected accidents and illnesses.

What to Look For:

  • A policy that allows you to use any vet. Pet insurance differs from human health insurance in that you typically you pay the vet directly and get reimbursed by the insurance company.
  • Pet insurance that reimburses you based on the actual vet bill, as opposed to a benefit schedule.
  • An easy claims process. Look for apps and online claims processes — avoid physical forms.

What does Pet Insurance Cost?

Pet insurance premiums are calculated based on your individual pet’s breed, age and zip code.

  • Cat health plans typically range from $15 to $40 per month.
  • Dog health plans typically range from $25 to $60 per month.

For more information about pet insurance, visit one of our pet insurance partner websites to get a free no obligation quote today.

Get a Free No Obligation Quote today from one of our pet insurance partners (click on the logo to learn more):

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Dog insurance and cat insurance from Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. Get pet insurance reviews. Compare pet insurance plans.

Top 10 Reasons Animal Owners Should Get Pet Insurance

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Many people may think that pet insurance isn’t worth the added monthly cost, but the investment in pet insurance can help save a life and keep you from financial stress. Believe it or not, less than 1% of pets in the US are covered with pet insurance plans. Here are the top 10 reasons to consider pet insurance for your beloved pet.

# 10. Accidents and Illness Coverage

A single accident or illness may cover the entire cost of your pet insurance bill for the life of your pet. Consider this, the average pet insurance policy costs somewhere around $25 per month or $300 per year. It’s really less than a dollar a day, or less than a cup of coffee at the local doughnut shop. If you pet lives an average of 10-15 years, your total cost of pet insurance would be between $3000 – $4500 for the entire life of your pet. One accident or illness during your pet’s entire life could easily cost $3000 – $4500 and if your pet is like most pets, there will be at least more than one accident or illness in his lifetime.

# 9. Vet medicine is better than ever

Years ago a pet would be euthanized or die of natural causes from devastating illnesses. Today, many of those illnesses that were once considered a death sentence for a pet are now very manageable, treatable and even curable. Do you want to have the means to care for your pet if he gets sick, or do you want to have to struggle with a decision because of the cost?

# 8. More pets equals more discounts

Many pet insurance policies offer discounts when more than one pet is insured on the policy. More pets typically means more vet visits and more chances for accidents or illnesses.

# 7. Insurance is easy

Pet insurance companies have made the entire process easy. You can have them automatically withdraw premiums each month, and when you file a claim, you can do so online answering a few simple questions and submitting a copy of your vet bill. Within a day or so, most insurance companies will reimburse you through direct deposit or a check.

# 6. No limit on claims

Years ago, pet insurance companies placed lifetime limits on certain illness. Today, there are many pet insurance companies that do not have such restrictions. When a pet becomes ill during a time when you have pet insurance, the pet’s medications and treatments are covered for the rest of the pets life.

# 5. Deductibles are low

Unlike insurance for people, deductibles for pets is much lower. Typically, deductibles are on a per illness basis, meaning that you pay a deductible once for a given illness, then everything after that is covered at your payout rate.

# 4. No breed or size restrictions

Although many policies will adjust premiums based on age and pre existing conditions, most pet insurance companies offer insurance regardless of pet’s breed or size.

# 3. Plans are flexible

Many pet insurance companies let you choose the deductible and payout you prefer. Plans with a lower deductible typically have a lower payout and plans with a higher deductible have a higher payout

# 2. Better quality of life for older pets

Older pets get sick or have accidents that require medical attention. Older pets often develop chronic illnesses that require constant treatment for months to years. Medications, check ups, testing, monitoring and surgeries can really add up quickly for older pets; getting pet insurance when they are young will save you heartaches and headaches in the long run as your pet ages.

# 1.  Peace of mind

For pet owners without pet insurance, learning that your pet needs a very expensive operation or course of medical treatment can be financially devastating. Having to choose between your wallet and your pet is heartbreaking. Insurance will afford you the opportunity to do what is right for your pet and not just what you can afford.The majority of pet insurance policy holders claim that they are comforted by the peace of mind pet insurance affords them. The idea that they never have to choose between caring for their pet with what is medically needed and “economic euthanasia” is of great comfort in dire circumstances. Having the financial ability to take care of a sick pet in their time of need is the number 1 reason most people have pet insurance today.

Read more about the best pet insurance companies.

Read more articles about pet insurance.