As a pet owner, you’ll go to great lengths to make sure that your furry friends are happy and healthy. If that’s the case for you, you might find it worthwhile to invest in national pet insurance for some peace of mind.
Even though national pet insurance is widely available, many owners choose not to purchase it. In fact, only one percent of the 185 million dogs and cats in the United States are covered by pet insurance.
In this post, we’ll share what you need to know about pet insurance, including what’s included (and not included) with coverage and how you can purchase it. Take a look and decide if pet insurance is right for you and your animals.
What is pet insurance?
Similar to your health insurance plan, pet insurance helps pay for unexpected veterinary expenses when your furry friend becomes sick or injured. Under most national pet insurance policies, you’ll have to pay your entire vet bill up-front and then submit a reimbursement claim.
Some insurers restrict the veterinary offices where you can use your coverage. Others allow you to use your national pet insurance at any provider in the country, including emergency centers and specialty clinics.
In general, you can use pet insurance to cover:
- Accidents like broken bones and substance ingestions
- Illnesses like cancer and arthritis
- Genetic conditions like hip dysplasia and IVDD
- Behavioral issues like territory marking and aggression
- Emergency care
- Specialty care
What isn’t included with pet insurance?
Not all national pet insurance plans cover preventative care services like vaccines, teeth cleanings, and routine screenings. If you’re interested in this level of coverage, chat with your provider before signing up and see if they offer a plan with preventative care, in addition to accident and injury insurance.
You’ll also find that pet insurance companies won’t pay for services like grooming or breeding. Pre-existing conditions are also excluded.
How can I purchase pet insurance?
You can easily shop and compare national pet insurance plans online. Most insurers require you to share some information about your pet to receive a quote for coverage, but it’s a fairly painless process.
Wondering how much national pet insurance will cost? It depends on several factors, including the level of coverage you need. Your premium will also vary based on the species, age, gender, and breed of your animal. Dogs will generally cost more than cats. Broadly speaking, you should expect to pay between $20 to $50 per month for your pet insurance plan.
In the United States, popular pet insurance companies include Nationwide, ASPCA, Embrace Pet Insurance, and Trupanion.
Before you buy a plan, check with your employer to see if they offer pet insurance as a perk of employment. According to Nationwide, about half of Fortune 500 companies provide pet insurance as a benefit to their workers.
All things considered, buying a pet insurance plan is a personal decision based on your budget and needs. Make sure to do your research and evaluate different providers and plans before deciding on a policy.
For more resources on pet ownership, check out the PetPonder blog.
