Looking for affordable pet insurance? Key questions to ask before buying

Finding cheap pet insurance can be a great job if you don’t know what to look for. There are several options, and finding the best pet insurance is easy if you know the right questions. Without pet health insurance, you won’t be protected if something unforeseen happens to your precious pet.

Key questions to help you find the best pet insurance for your pet

Why do I need pet insurance when my pet is healthy?
Insurance is one of those things you need, but I hope you never have to use it. Your pet may be fine today, but there is no way of knowing what might happen in the future. Searching for pet insurance after your pet becomes ill or develops a condition will limit the coverage you can receive. Many other unexpected things can happen that you would not expect and being insured will ensure that your pet receives the best possible care without the need to make heartbreaking decisions based on what you can afford.

When can my pet register?
Most pet insurance programs are available to any healthy pet that is 8 weeks or older. Make sure you know how old newborn pets must be before they are covered for any accident or illness.

Is there a discount if I insure more than one pet?
Some policies will offer a discount for each additional pet you insure. If you have a lot of pets, most pet insurance companies will offer you a discount for multiple pets.

Is this a comprehensive insurance program or a discount program?
It is important to know the difference between the two. An insurance program would be similar to insurance programs for individuals. A discount program operates on an annual fee and offers discounts for veterinary services and other costs related to pets. Make sure you get all the details of the plan you are interested in.

Is my pet covered if he travels with us?
Some policies will cover your pet while traveling. Check the type of program and see if your pet has travel coverage and in what areas of the world they are covered.

When does the plan go into effect?
Some plans (especially sickness coverage) will have a waiting period of 1 day to 2 weeks from the time you enroll until the plan actually takes effect. You may need to undergo a veterinary examination before your pet is accepted. Other programs will begin as soon as they have received your payment and registration. Let you know when your plan begins and ends.

How is a claim processed?
Most pet insurance companies will have a claim form available online or a phone number that you can call to make a claim. Typically, you would pay your vets and then your pet insurance company would reimburse you. Check your policy to make sure you know what options are available to you.

Is there a deductible for services?
The deductible is what you pay before the insurance begins and you pay off the balance. It works the same way as car insurance, the lower the deductible, the higher the premium. Each program has a different deductible, so look for a program that is affordable.

How do I cancel my policy?
If you change your mind, most programs will allow you to cancel within the first 2 weeks as long as you have not filed a claim. Make sure you know the details of the cancellation for any reason you may have later so that you are aware of possible refunds, etc.

Does the company have good customer support?
This is not really a question to ask. It is something that you must take into account. Using a company that is helpful and answers your questions to your satisfaction will make dealing with them that much more enjoyable for the life of your policy.

Asking the right questions helped narrow our search for the best pet insurance company for us and our pets. Be sure to check with your state insurance commissioner to review the performance history of the company you are considering.

Make sure you understand all the details of your pet insurance policy and ask any questions you need before completing the application and going through the required check-ups. You’ll be glad you did.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *