Pet Insurance - For our furry friends

But when looking to purchase a pet insurance policy there are a few questions you will want to consider. Below is a list of 10 pet insurance purchasing questions to consider:

1. Am I looking for a discount plan or a comprehensive insurance plan? These can differ. With discount fee plans one would pay an annual fee and get discounted veterinarian and related pet services. A pet health insurance plan would look similar to health insurance for people.
2. Will I get to choose my veterinarian?
   Again, since pet health insurance plans are similar to the one's you and I utilize, different plans have different rules. Check to see if your vet is included as a provider for the pet insurance you are interested in.
3. What are the waiting periods?
   Like all insurance, there may be a waiting period in order for the policy to take effect and it is important to be aware of exactly when your policy starts and ends.
4. What is excluded?
   Pet insurance exclusions can vary depending on the policy chosen. Common exclusions are pre-existing conditions and hereditary defects. Coverages for common exclusions can usually be covered at an additional cost.
5. Will routine wellness care be covered?
   If you are looking for a comprehensive policy then you will want to find one that covers routine visits such as immunizations, dental care, and heartworm testing.
6. How about neutering and spaying?
Making sure you are able to control the pet population is important for you and everyone around you. Spaying and neutering coverage is great to have since almost all pet owners utilize this service.
7. Does it include prescription coverage?
   Prescription coverage is just as important since technology and care for pets is increasing, the possibility your pet will need a prescription medication is probable, and like all prescriptions, they can sometimes be costly.
8. Do I have to pay a deductible?
   Just like human insurance, different plans require different deductibles. The deductible is what you pay first before services are rendered so you will want to find a plan that carries a deductible that is affordable to you. Remember though, that the smaller the deductible the higher the premium.
9. Are there any illness and incident caps?
   Usually in pet insurance, there will be variety of "caps" or limits on how much the insurance company will pay for a specific incident. A broken leg may have a different cap than spaying so be aware of policy limits.
10. Is the company reputable and providing me with all my answers?
    Make sure you feel comfortable with the company you are interested in. Since they will be handling your claims, it is important you are choosing a company that is willing to answer your questions thoroughly, as this will give you insight on how they will handle your future policy. Also, make sure the company is reputable Unlike auto or home insurance, the choices for pet health insurance companies are still small. There are a handful of large and still growing pet health insurance companies that have set the stage for other pet health insurance companies. These companies offer great pet insurance packages that work much like "human" health insurance, offering coverage's for accidents and illnesses. When you decide to choose a pet health insurance company, or check into getting a pet health insurance quote, there are many policy options you will want to ask about such as benefit limits, deductibles, and, most importantly, what is covered. Now-a-days, specific pet insurance schemes are available like insurance for dogs or cats and even for birds.