- October 11, 2022
- No Comment
- 10 minutes read
Pet insurance: Everything to know – Yahoo News
If you’ve ever had a pet get injured or sick, then you know that vet bills can add up quickly.
Fortunately, pet insurance — a type of health insurance that’s just for cats and dogs — can help offset those costs or even cover them entirely.
You can easily get a quote to see if this is right for you.
Do you have a furry friend and don’t want vet bills draining you dry? Here’s what pet insurance does and how it may be able to help.
How does pet insurance work?
Pet insurance is a kind of health insurance policy you can get for a domestic cat or dog. Like human health insurance, you pay a monthly premium and, in exchange, get coverage for a variety of medical treatments, prescriptions and sometimes preventative measures, too.
These policies usually work on a reimbursement basis. So, you’ll pay your vet directly and then file a claim with your insurer afterward. They’ll then process that claim and reimburse you for the appropriate amount. Depending on your policy and the treatment, it may be the full amount or a percentage of what you were originally charged.
In some cases, pet insurance policies have a deductible. This means you have to pay a certain amount out of pocket before your insurer will contribute.
If this sounds like something that could benefit you consider providing some basic information to get a free price quote.
How much does pet insurance cost?
Pet insurance costs vary widely, but with most companies, you will pay between $30 to $70 per month for a dog and $15 to $40 per month for a cat.
The exact price you pay will depend on a number of factors, including:
The type of animal you haveYour pet’s breed and genderThe age of your petWhere you live
The insurance company you choose matters, too, which is why it’s important to shop around when getting pet insurance. Always compare at least a few quotes to ensure you’re getting the best deal and coverage.
You may also be able to get pet insurance through an existing insurance company you work with (the one that provides your car insurance, for example). Many companies offer discounts for consumers with multiple coverage lines.
There are other reliable ways to get cheap pet insurance. Here are two important tips:
Speak with your veterinarian. While they won’t directly influence your rates or coverage they can help advise you on plans that benefit your dog or cat. Tailor your policy accordingly so you don’t wind up paying for coverage that you don’t need. Get an accident-only policy. An accident-only policy is exactly what it sounds like – coverage for accidents only. While this baseline coverage won’t be comprehensive (it won’t cover medication, for example) it could be enough for your needs. And it won’t break the bank.
A pet insurance expert can help you build a cost-effective and reliable plan.
What does pet insurance cover?
Coverage varies by insurer and plan but, generally, pet insurance covers unexpected injuries and emergencies, as well as larger items, like surgery, for example.
Here’s a look at what most insurance companies cover:
Accidents and injuries, like broken bones, cuts or swallowed objectsIllnesses, including allergies, infections and diabetesSurgeryTreatment for heredity and congenital conditions, like hip dysplasia, cherry eye or glaucomaTreatment for behavioral issues, including pacing, chewing or lickingAlternative therapy, like acupuncture or chiropractic careTesting and diagnostics, like blood tests, MRIs and X-raysEmergency exam feesCancer treatment Certain medications and prescription foods
Keep in mind that all pet policy plans will have coverage limits — a maximum amount the insurer will contribute annually. You’ll want to keep these in mind when choosing your policy.
What pet insurance doesn’t cover
Pet insurance typically doesn’t include routine care, like vaccinations, heartworm/flea preventatives or annual check-ups — at least automatically. However, many insurers do allow you to add coverage for these items at an extra fee.
Pet insurance usually won’t cover pre-existing conditions either. So if your pet has a documented condition before you take out the policy, any treatments related to it will not be eligible for reimbursement.
Types of pet insurance
There are many types of pet insurance plans. Some insurers offer accident-only plans, which only cover treatment for injuries and accidents, like a snake bite or ingesting a toxic substance, for example. These tend to be the most budget-friendly options, as the coverage is limited.
Companies usually offer a more comprehensive plan, too, which includes accidents and injuries, as well as testing, diagnostics, medications and various other medical treatments your vet deems necessary.
Finally, many insurers also have a routine care or wellness package you can add as a supplement to your main policy. This will cover things like annual check-ups, vaccinations, microchipping and more.
Have more questions? Consider reaching out to a pet insurance expert to find out more.
84 undocumented migrants rescued from truck near Texas border
Uvalde police officer fired amid outrage from parents
Georgia voters react to Herschel Walker abortion report scandal
The pet owner is wondering if they should have lied about the name from the start.
It's clear that the dog misses her so much.
Here's what science tells us about cats and their love for us.
"Our insurance would be more than our mortgage or our rent," one resident said.
The 'Crash Confidence Index' is getting bullish as more investors become anxious about their portfolios.
The puzzled look on the cat's face is the best.
After the annus horribilis of 2022, with the final quarter now in play, investors will be hoping a late-year rally will materialize. According to Carson Group's chief market strategist Ryan Detrick, that’s not such a far-fetched idea. "While October has a reputation for crashes, it is really a bear market killer,” Detrick recently wrote. “Of the past 17 bear (or near bear markets), stocks bottomed in October six times. Could it happen again? With sentiment this pessimistic and extremely positive
Few companies are more famous or have beaten the broader market more consistently than Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B), the large conglomerate that has been run by legendary investor Warren Buffett for decades. Between 1965 and 2021, Berkshire's market value has risen 3,641,613%. During the same period, the S&P 500 has gained 30,209% including dividends, for an annual gain of 10.5%.
(Bloomberg) — Cathie Wood flagged the risk of “serious losses” in the trillion-dollar auto debt market, after statistics showed US used vehicle prices decreased in September. The Ark Investment Management LLC founder and chief executive officer cited a shift in consumer taste toward electric cars as leading to a drop in the price of gasoline-powered vehicles, according to a tweet that referenced data released by Manheim Auctions, the world’s largest reseller of used vehicles.That organization’s
We honestly hope he winds up with the loving home he deserves!
JPMorgan Chase & Co. CEO Jamie Dimon warns investors that stocks could slide much further as the Fed continues hiking interest rates.
The sharp 5.7% rally early in the week last week certainly was encouraging for the bulls. After all, a brutal September had just concluded with the S&P 500 Index down nearly 10%. This was the third large decline for the index in 2022, which has become a behemoth of a bear market.
Billionaire hedge-fund investor Paul Tudor Jones says investors looking to time the bottom in stocks should keep a close eye on short-term Treasury yields.
What to watch in markets Tuesday, October 11, 2022.
Cannabis could be one of the fastest-growing industries of the decade, but not all weed stocks will be winners.
Have you ever dealt with a clogged shower? It’s not a fun experience. With this drain catcher, you can keep your pipes clear with no extra effort.
Some stocks are best avoided. We don't wish catastrophic capital loss on anyone. Anyone who held Carnival Corporation…
Crews in Nashua are looking for the owner of a dog that they rescued from a ledge.
Several factors can shrink your monthly Social Security benefits payment. Here are three of the most common.
A Cowen analyst says chip stocks are near all-time low valuations after their big drops this year. Several offer solid buying opportunities.