| Thursday, March 6, 2008 |
| Compare Pet Insurance To Find Best Possible Plan |
Just like shopping for health insurance for you and the family, it is wise to compare pet insurance before signing up for the policy. There is more to consider than just the monthly premiums, such as per incident deductible, out-of-pocket limits and any limitation on the maximum payout for the animals lifetime. Similar to health care for people, when you compare pet insurance plans you will find that the ones with the lowest monthly cost may not offer the best deal for the money.
When you compare pet insurance, obviously you will look at the monthly premiums, but consider the deductibles available with each premium. With higher deductibles the monthly costs is typically lower, but if the difference is $150 for instance for each time the vet sees the animal, two or three visits to the doctor with the higher deductible can make the average monthly cost of the insurance considerably higher. You will also want to compare pet insurance for the maximum amount payable per incident as well as for the lifetime of the pet.
Policy limits can limit the type of medical treatment your pet receives and when you compare pet insurance, remember the sophisticated test procedures now available for veterinarians such as x-rays and CAT scans that can be costly. If the policy sets limits on the total cost of procedures, such testing can quickly reach the policy limits, leaving you with a large chunk of the vet bill not covered.
Learn What Is Covered By Insurance
You should always compare pet insurance to learn exactly what type of treatment is covered. Illness, accident and typical care should be covered under most pet insurance policies, but you should be certain as to how reimbursement is calculated. A few companies reimburse policyholders a percentage of the veterinarian’s bill while others have an established schedule for certain procedures, and reimburse a percentage of that amount.
Another consideration to keep in mind when you compare pet insurance is whether you can visit any vet of your choice, or does the company restrict who can treat your pet. Emergency care for that middle of the night and weekend calls when the vet’s office may be closed should also be covered at the same rate as regular visits. With some companies, the reimbursement is less for emergency care.
Ask the veterinarian’s office about insurance as they probably deal with different ones and have heard from other patients about how they are treated. They may be the best source to compare pet insurance as well as other pet owners. By learning of their experiences with other companies, you should have information on which to make a choice. |
posted by Sara @ 8:14 AM  |
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