How Does Dog Insurance Work?
Dog insurance is a health care plan for a dog that reimburses dog owners for specific medical costs. In case of illness or accidents, having a dog insurance policy can protect you from finances. But dog health insurance also has limitations, so you must be aware of it. Keep on reading to know more about dog health insurance.
Important Terms to Be Aware Of
There are specific terms in dog health insurance that you need to be aware of, such as:
- Inner Limits: This refers to the vet fee cover. It means that the inner limits might be lower for some treatments, such as cruciate ligament surgery and dental treatment. Make sure to pay attention to the limits that every insurance provider has.
- Excess: This term refers to the cost that dog owners will need to pay for their claims. This excess can go up as the dog matures largely due to treatment expenses increasing, as will the chance of needing to make a claim.
- Coinsurance/Co-payment: This is valuable to lessen the initial premium price; however, at the point of claiming, you will be needed to pay the excess and the percentage to the claim value, usually ten to twenty percent.
- Wait period: This refers to the cooling-off time if you switch providers. Usually, you cannot make a claim for the first fourteen days before the insurance policy starts. With some insurance providers like Animalia Pet Insurance, once you switch your dog insurance, you will be put at risk right away, allowing you to claim for illnesses from the beginning of the policy.
- Pre-existing Conditions: This refers to any illness, injury, or condition that occurred or first showed symptoms before starting the insurance policy, regardless of whether the dog went to the pet care provider for it.
Things Covered by Dog Health Insurance
Dog insurance covers dog owners against pat care expenses due to checkups and treatment, but many policy providers provide additional benefits. Some insurance providers will offer you the following:
Loss and Found
If your pet is stolen or lost, the dog insurance company will cover you to a specific limit to publicize to look for your dog. In case the pet isn’t able to be found or recovered, the insurance could pay towards the expense of your pet.
Boarding Expenses
If you are traveling abroad or admitted to the hospital and not able to care for your pet personally, the dog insurance might shoulder the expense of boarding your pet at a kennel house. Typically, there are conditions on the length of time you are admitted to the hospital prior to claiming.
Abandonment and Holiday Cancellation Cover
Suppose your pet goes missing or becomes ill before you are on vacation. In that case, some insurance providers will cover your travel and accommodation expenses f needing to cancel or curtail your trip.
Death and euthanasia
In the ill-fated scenario of the loss of your pet, your insurance provider will disburse the expenses of your dog dying, and when he needs to undergo euthanasia, then the insurer will handle the fee.
Accidental Damage Cover
If your pet caused injury or worse, death of a person or damage to property, this coverage could help you handle the expenses for repairs or loss suffered.
How Much Do You Need to Pay for Dog Health Insurance?
Prices for dog insurance differ depending on different factors. If you are not certain of what suits your needs, it is vital to use an online price comparison tool.
Factors that Determine the Price of Dog Insurance
- Age of Dog: An older dog is risky of having health issues, so it comes with an expensive policy. In general, older dogs are defined as more than eight years old.
- Breed: If you are insuring a breed of dog that is notorious for having a high risk of health issues, then the rate will be higher as well. Pedigree dogs, on the other hand, will be costlier as of their increased value to buy and usually a lower immunity to some conditions as opposed to cross-breeds.
- Pre-existing conditions: If your pet has pre-existing conditions you want to cover, then expect to pay high on policy. These are conditions that are likely to recur, so the expense is increased.
How Can You Affect the Price of Insurance Policy?
The best way of affecting the insurance policy rate is by picking an appropriate cover level.
- Accident Only: This is considered the cheapest insurance for a dog by will just cover veterinary charges arising from any mishap your pet has.
- Lifetime Pet Cover: This is an annual policy that offers covers for entire new injuries as well as diseases up to a yearly limit every plan year occurring after the plan has begun.
- Time-Limited Pet Cover: This is a yearly policy that covers new illnesses and injuries taking place after the policy has begun for up to one year from the initial day of treatment.
- Maximum Benefit Insurance: A yearly policy that offers cover for new illnesses and injuries taking place after the policy has begun up to the utmost level. This plan allows the dog owner to claim for similar treatment yearly.
Common Issues You Have to Protect Against
This is reliant on your breed, but usually, pets commonly experience irritation, skin infection, hip dysplasia, allergies, and arthritis. It is worth knowing your dog’s breed so you are able to know what common conditions you might want insurance to cover.
What Are the Exceptions?
Like other types of insurance plans, there are also exceptions in dog health insurance that every dog owners have to be aware of.
- Specific Breeds of Dogs: There are specific breeds, like those included in the Dangerous Dog Act, which will be barred from cover.
- Age: Some insurance providers will not cover dogs over a specific age. It must be below 8 years old.
Does My Puppy Need Insurance?
Yes. It is easier to insure a puppy than an older dog. It has a cheaper rate.
Is Dog Health Insurance Important?
One dog owner can tell if this is worthwhile for their case, but it can be the best solution to secure against large unexpected bills should your dog experience illness or be involved in an accident.