Pet Insurance

Health insurance is very important and should be considered for our furry family members. It can protect you if a health issue comes up and you're faced with the large bills that can too quickly become overwhelming. Lets face it, it's not easy to tell your new puppy (or older dog),that they shouldn't eat that really nice smelling sock! That potentially it might get caught in their intestinal tract and have to be surgically removed. Your pet does not understand that surgery typically leads to a pricey and unexpected bill.Surgery is just one example of  a medical issue that can arise.

Having insurance can offer you a little piece of mind while waiting anxiously to not only find out how your pet made out but also how much it is all going to cost. When our focus is to help our pet,especially if it is an emergency, we often react in the moment and lose sight of the actual cost for treatments and medications provided. As people, we have insurance and have a copay. In the veterinary world there is no copay, so it can be a bit shocking when you get your total at the end of your visit.

Veterinary insurance is a little different than human insurance. You are expected to pay for your services up front and then you submit a claim to your insurance provider. They will contact us if they need to retrieve any additional medical records. Insurance providers offer different policies and based off of each policy they reimburse you the amount that they owe you. Most providers have an option to have an add on wellness package. This will offer you some financial support for your annual exam and vaccines and sometimes even cover a percentage of your flea, tick & heartworm preventative.

Similar to our insurance, there are restrictions when it comes to preexisting medical conditions. For example, if you take your limping dog to your veterinarian and find out that he/she has a ruptured  cranial cruciate ligament-CCL ( ACL in humans),you won't be able to just go home and start a new insurance policy. The injury would be  considered a preexisting  condition and such they would not provide reinbursement.

We  highly recommend that you consider pet health insurance when you have a new puppy or kitten.First, it is a good idea to have it in place before  pre - existing conditions develop and second, young animals commonly present with basic ailments such  as vomiting,diarrhea,respiratory infections and minor injuries that can be covered through insurance.  On the other hand, it is never too late to sign your older pet up for coverage - as we  know the older we get the more likely we are to develop health issues - animals are no different. The joys of aging gracefully!

Cats are commonly prone to conditions such as urinary issues, hyperthyroidism and diabetes.Our feline friends  also enjoy ingesting the occasional  foreign body treats such as string,hair ties,dental floss,toys etc.  All of which are potentially treatable, but can become quite costly to diagnose.

It is always a good idea to do research before you get an animal and see if that breed is predisposed to any medical condition. Financially,it might give you a little insight as to what you may or may not be getting yourself into. When you are looking into insurance and pricing the different providers you'll notice that it is based off of breed and age. Some breeds cost more to insure because they have a tendency  to develop  skin and ear issues, allergies, or orthopedic problems  - this will raise the price of the policy. They offer different policies for you to choose from depending on how much you want to pay. You could get the premium package that will cover everything, or you can get the bare minimum just so you have some basic protection.Some providers will offer the option to supply you with wellness coverage for an additional fee. Examples of insurance companies are: Pet Plan, VPI- Veterinary Pet Insurance, Nationwide Pet Insurance, ASPCA, Trupanion, or Embrace. They will all provide you with free quotes and information and answer any questions you have for them.