- Each pet insurance plan and policy is different and there is no direct comparison, so it is important to research the different coverage options each plan offers. Most information can be found on their websites, but you can always contact the company’s customer service for more information about coverage and expectations.
- Pre-existing conditions are conditions or medical diagnoses that your pet has had prior to obtaining insurance. For example, a pet diagnosed with allergies before signing up for pet insurance may not be covered for any medical issues related to allergies even with an active insurance policy.
- Most insurance policies do NOT cover pre-existing conditions, thus, obtaining pet insurance while your pet is young and healthy helps to ensure your pet will be protected.
- Accidents and illnesses may also happen and having an active pet insurance plan helps to ease the stress of paying for any unexpected veterinary bills.
- Pet insurance policies vary depending on what you want covered, what you need covered, and/or what you are able to afford.
- Pet insurance can generally be broken down into:
- Comprehensive coverage : This plan typically covers it all – from accidents, injuries, serious or chronic illnesses, hereditary conditions, surgeries, treatments, diagnostic tests, and routine veterinary exams and vaccinations.
- Accident and illness coverage: This plan typically covers accidents and illnesses, but won’t cover routine veterinary exams, vaccinations, diagnostics, and flea/tick/heartworm preventatives.
- Accident-only coverage: This plan typically covers accidents only, and won’t cover any routine wellness or illness-related veterinary bills.
- Wellness coverage: This plan typically covers wellness-related expenses, such as routine veterinary exams, spay/neuter procedures, dental procedures, routine diagnostics, vaccinations, and flea/tick/heartworm preventatives.
- A premium is the amount of money you are required to pay for an insurance policy, typically divided into monthly payments. The cost of insurance premiums are specific to your pet, based on things like age, breed, and if they are spayed or neutered.
- Annual maximum coverage is the cap on how much the pet insurance plan will pay per year. How much coverage you decide on will affect the cost of your premium.
- A deductible is the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket before the insurance company will start covering expenses. The cost of an insurance deductible can change depending on the policy chosen and choosing a higher deductible will lower your monthly premium.
- Reimbursement percentage tells you how much the pet insurance company will cover of the total cost of your veterinary bill.
- Pet insurance policies vary depending on what you want covered, what you need covered, and/or what you are able to afford.
- Pet insurance can generally be broken down into:
- Comprehensive coverage : This plan typically covers it all – from accidents, injuries, serious or chronic illnesses, hereditary conditions, surgeries, treatments, diagnostic tests, and routine veterinary exams and vaccinations.
- Accident and illness coverage: This plan typically covers accidents and illnesses, but won’t cover routine veterinary exams, vaccinations, diagnostics, and flea/tick/heartworm preventatives.
- Accident-only coverage: This plan typically covers accidents only, and won’t cover any routine wellness or illness-related veterinary bills.
- Wellness coverage: This plan typically covers wellness-related expenses, such as routine veterinary exams, spay/neuter procedures, dental procedures, routine diagnostics, vaccinations, and flea/tick/heartworm preventatives.
- A premium is the amount of money you are required to pay for an insurance policy, typically divided into monthly payments. The cost of insurance premiums are specific to your pet, based on things like age, breed, and if they are spayed or neutered.
- Annual maximum coverage is the cap on how much the pet insurance plan will pay per year. How much coverage you decide on will affect the cost of your premium.
- A deductible is the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket before the insurance company will start covering expenses. The cost of an insurance deductible can change depending on the policy chosen and choosing a higher deductible will lower your monthly premium.
- Reimbursement percentage tells you how much the pet insurance company will cover of the total cost of your veterinary bill.
- Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination and recommend the appropriate diagnostics and treatments.
- An estimate may be provided for pre-authorization if needed or requested (i.e., dentals, surgeries) depending on the needs of your pet insurance plan
- Your veterinarian will then complete and submit any requested medical records (SOAPs, diagnostic results, etc.)
- If indicated, your veterinarian may call or email your insurance company to clarify the medical records or diagnoses.
- Your veterinarian does NOT decide what is or is NOT covered by your insurance plan and thus does NOT have any control over how different insurance companies review medical records or how claims are approved or denied.
- Clients can not dictate or request what is to be written or what they wish to be omitted from the medical record, as the record is a legal document, and any falsified altering (e.g. deleting diagnoses) of the medical record is unethical and illegal.
