It is important to know what coverage is available for your pet when you purchase a pet insurance policy. Most plans will only cover unavoidable illnesses or accidents. These plans don't include pre-existing and preventative healthcare. For the best coverage, consider purchasing a policy with wellness benefits.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive pet insurance coverage covers all medical expenses. Prescription medicines, eye and ear drops, and antibiotics are all covered. Some policies offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. It is important to understand how much your insurance policy will cover and which options are best for your pet.
Comprehensive pet insurance covers a variety of conditions including hereditary diseases. The policy also includes ongoing care, diagnostic tests, and treatment. It covers dental care up to $1,000/year and also covers genetic disorders and other illnesses. Additional, coverage for pets that are already covered under insurance continues even after they have been renewed.
Exclusion of pre-existing conditions
It's important that you know the details of pet insurance. Some pre-existing conditions might be excluded from coverage. These are chronic and degenerative conditions. A dog with chronic diarrhea might be excluded for 12 months.
While most pet insurance policies will not cover preexisting conditions or illnesses, there are exceptions. Certain plans will cover conditions and illnesses that are "pre-existing" but not all. Many companies also cover genetic and hereditary conditions. These policies will be specific to the insurer.
Co-insurance excess
Depending on your pet's age and health status, you may need to pay an excess as part of your pet insurance policy. Some insurers require this, but others do not. Check your policy documentation for any coinsurance clauses. It may be cheaper to buy a pet insurance policy that does not require compulsory co-insurance.
When comparing policies make sure that you calculate the excess for each condition. Some policies have a set excess amount, but some have adjustable amounts. Also, consider your location and the age of your pet.
Annual deductible
Annual deductible pet policies are great for budgeting. The deductible is only required once per policy year. This means that you can take your pet as many times to the vet as you like. This will ensure that you don't worry about paying high vet bills for your pet every time they need it.
For pet insurance, you can also opt for a per incident deductible. This deductible only applies when your pet is taken to the vet. Each incident is considered a separate event. The per-incident or incident deductibles are reset with each new incident, which is a difference from annual deductibles. A per-incident or per-incident deductible is usually higher than an annual deductible. You might need to pay more each year if your pet has multiple conditions or injuries.