“It is better safe than sorry” is what can perhaps best depict the philosophy of pet insurance policies. I learned this tough lesson $1500.00 dollars later when my puppy was admitted with a bout of hemorrhagic gastro-enteritis and when my my credit card was mercilessly charged for the IV line, medicine and a three night stay at the emergency vet hospital. One day later, I was already urgently applying for a pet insurance policy plan worried such a thing could happen once again to one of my pets.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PET INSURANCE POLICY

It seems like nowadays the choices of pet health insurance policies are so abundant, that comparing them and choosing the one that better suits your pet’s needs can feel like an overwhelming task. I know this as a fact, as I spent days looking for the best coverage for my four pets.

Comparing pet health insurance policies nowadays can be like comparing apples to oranges as there are different plans covering different scenarios and carrying different options.

Most pet insurance companies offer toll free numbers for inquiries before enrolling. Paying a visit to various pet insurance websites may also help in choosing the best.

What many people do not realize is that pet insurance can be very affordable, in most cases it is much more affordable than human health insurance. You may expect in average to pay approximately between $25 – $35 a month for a dog and between $15 – $30 for a cat.

Shopping around for the best deal is a good starting point, but if you are looking at very low premiums remember the saying “you get what you paid for”. Carefully evaluate what is offered against the advertised price.

Things that you will need to evaluate and ask yourself are as follows:

Do you want coverage for emergencies only or do you want also yearly shots to be included? Upon applying for enrollment you will be offered different options of coverage depending on your needs. Accidents, illness and routine care coverages are options you can choose from.

Does your pet have any pre-existing conditions? Not all pet insurances may cover pre-existing conditions, so this is a fundamental question to ask prior to enrolling your pet in a pet insurance policy. Some insurances as well may not accept pets older than a certain age. You will also have to inquire with the insurance company if your pet has a medical condition or if they will cover older pets.

Check out part 2 of this article on pet insurance.

Considering getting health insurance for your pet, there is quite a bit of information to know, but there are only a handful of insurance companies. Looking over some different policies can become confusing, and may even turn you away from the prospect of getting your beloved pet the insurance plan that is right for him/her. The best way to go about looking for insurance is to determine your pets needs, then look over the policies of some insurance companies. You can even call them on a toll free number.

Most pet insurance companies have different coverage plans. But

basically, it all boils down to what is covered, what are the monthly premiums, and what is the deductible. Initially, you need to ask yourself what type of coverage are you looking for. Do you want routine vet visits covered, prescription drugs? How much in premiums are you willing to pay? These are some very basic questions, but very necessary ones. It’s important that you know what is covered and how much it will cost.

Most pet insurance plans offer the basic coverage, such as vaccinations and annual exams. Usually, this is the least expensive plan. Then, there are other plans that may offer coverage just for operations and extensive diagnostic testing. There are plans that just offer accident insurance in case of an accident. Still other plans offer the most coverage. This usually includes the basic coverage along with accident coverage and diagnostic coverage. But you may not need this type of plan if all that you are concerned about is just having the coverage for just expensive diagnostic testing.

There are pet insurance plans that have a limit for your pets age. It’s important that you find out what this limit is. Your pet may not be eligible for coverage. Also, some plans won’t let your pet participate due to the hereditary conditions of the breed, such as hip dysplasia and other hereditary conditions. So, it’s very important for you to look over what the plan provides and what it doesn’t provide.

It’s important to choose the right insurance company too. Some companies have been around longer than others. The company that’s been around the longest is called Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI). Just make sure that when you choose a company, they have a good track record. You can find out this information on line or check with the Better Business Bureau to find out if there have been any complaints.

Just remember to look over all plans offered by all companies. One companies plan might be similar to another companies plan but have less expensive premiums. Also, make sure that you get the coverage you need that best suits your pets needs.

If you do your homework, you will always be better off for it.

Many owners are still unsure about insuring their pets. Over the last 10 years pet insurance has become affordable and easily available, and now pet consumers have become inundated with a vast array of pet insurance. There is no need to be overwhelmed, begin by picking up a couple of pamphlets at your Veterinary office, or at your pet store. Once you have these, here’s how to compare pet insurance policies.

Any pet insurance policy should take into account your lifestyle, budget, and your pet’s health. While many people buy pet insurance for unforeseeable events such as accidents and serious illness, other’s buy them to cover basics like annual needle’s and preventative measures such as heartworm and parasite testing. Before even looking at the different pet plan’s make a list of what you need for your pet, then try and match them with a couple of different insurers to get the best monthly price.

Your list of needs, should be specific, list all pet’s you wish to insure and their ages, many pet insurance carrier’s offer discount’s for two or more pets within a household. Next, include any medication your pet currently takes, any current health problems, and any previous problems that may resurface with age. Never lie about medical conditions, or you may find your pet insurance carrier refuses to cover expenses at a later date.

If your pet has been neutered and micro chipped you will find that the cost of any pet insurance policy should dramatically decrease. If a pet insurance policy you are interested in doesn’t mention this, make sure you ask if you get a discount and haggle for an appropriate one. In terms of cats, policies also cost less for indoor cats as they are less likely to contract parasites such as heartworms and ringworms, and to develop contagious skin conditions. If the carrier you are interested in doesn’t mention these ask, you may find you get a deep discount.

Most carriers offer at least three different policies, and some carriers like www.petsecure.com will customize a policy that suits your pets, while other companies like www.petscare.ca offer only two less comprehensive policies. All pet insurance policies should include four things; dental coverage, accident coverage, illness coverage, (including pre-existing conditions) and specialty coverage for such things as pet medical devices, and homeopathic medical treatment.

After you have determined that your pet insurer covers the basics, investigate the possibility of buying some additional insurance. Often referred to as secondary insurance, this type of pet insurance covers such things as kennel fee’s if you become ill and unable to care for your pet, and cremation or burial insurance for when your pet does pass away. Do haggle over the cost of extras; many pet insurers will bend a little, especially if you are able to pay six months or a year’s insurance at a time.

With some careful planning and evaluation of pet insurance plans, we should all be able to afford at least basic coverage for our pets. Purchasing a policy now could help save the life of our pet down the road. When you sign up for a policy do read the fine print, ask when and if a policy fee’s may be increased, and watch the deductibles. Some policies offer very cheap pet insurance while operating on a very high deductible, often as high as $500. This is absolutely no use to you if your pet becomes ill and you are short of cash; instead opt for slightly higher monthly payments and a low deductible. It may well save the life of your pet in the event they need life saving surgery or have an unforeseen accident.

Let’s take care of our pets!