Pet Health Insurance

Pet health insurance has become very popular over the recent years. People from all walks of life such as, celebrities, politicians, sports figures, etc,, not just regular folk like you and I, have taken advantage of this new trend. We have all looked to save money in this economy and it only makes sense to insure our pets just like we do ourselves. It gives us a feeling of security knowing we and our pets are covered in any health crisis. Knowing this, many companies have evolved to offer Pet Health insurance programs to meet the demand.

Pet Insurance companies like Veterinary Pet Insurance, Inc. (also known as VPI) or the well known ASPCA, offer reasonably priced insurance policy premiums for cats, dogs, birds, exotics and other pets. VPI provides a number of coverage options, allowing pet owners to pay for care and procedures that they may otherwise not be able to. Pet owners can decide on what type of coverage they want or need that best suits their budget and lifestyle.

Here are some of the types of policies and coverage available to you and I.

Routine Care: This type of coverage will cover a major part of routine pet care, such as immunization and yearly examinations. This form of policy is normally the most common and affordable. Although pet owners should make certain that the policy premiums do not cost more than it would normally for the usual routine pet care expenses.

Basic Insurance for Specialized Care and Services: A Basic Care Policy will cover examinations and procedures that are not part of normal routine veterinary care. This will not cover vaccines or yearly examinations, but will cover diagnostic testing, visits to veterinary specialists, operations and other specialized procedures.

Premium Coverage for Specialized Care and Procedures: These higher care plans on average offer the same coverage as the basic care plans, although the payout compensation is usually higher, however the premium costs will be higher also.

All - Inclusive Coverage: An all-inclusive coverage pet insurance policy normally covers routine care and specific care like diagnostic testing, visits to veterinarian specialists and remedial procedures. All-inclusive veterinary pet insurance policies are naturally the highest priced and much more costly.

Unfortunately, despite the many health insurance companies and policies available, most, if not all, require the pet owner to pay for procedures and additional care up-front. The pet owner will pay the vet bill up-front, and the cash is then reimbursed after submitting a claim.

In cases where it's a matter of life or death, a lot of vets will agree to let the pet owner pay just a fraction of the bill or co-pay fee, allowing the owner to to prepare and submit a claim and then have the settlement check sent directly to the vet or clinic for the balance. Many vets and clinics will have those claim forms readily available for you especially if they are "participating providers" for the insurance companies. Always ask if they can help you with filling out any forms.

Typically, there is a two-week waiting period before newly purchase pet insurance coverage goes into effect, so when purchasing a veterinary pet insurance plan, you should always inquire about any time delays and the policy coverage start date. Doing so will save you a lot of grief and confusion in the future.

1. PRICING: You must compare the different prices. Some companies may offer the same price as others but the coverage may vary drastically so you need to be aware of not only how much it costs, but exactly what you are getting as coverage. There may be some lower costing policies that would be wiser to get.

2. DEDUCTIBLES AND EXCESS FEES: Insurance policy deductibles and excess fees can cost you more than you realize. These are the fees associated with filing a claim, some are mandatory and some are voluntary. Some companies lessen their expenses on claims by having high deductibles/excesses. If you go for a cheap policy that has high deductible or excess fee, you may end up paying more than what you intended to save in the first place. Always be aware of any deductibles and fees.

3. LIFELONG COVERAGE: Lifelong coverage is insurance that may be confusing and a little difficult to understand. "Lifelong cover" does not mean "covered for life." For a general idea and explanation, here are some insights:

-- Time Caps: "Time capped" means you are only covered for a certain condition for a certain time period and after that time period you are responsible for expenses. As an example, let's say that you have a time cap of one year and your pet developed a heart condition. You are eligible to claim the allowed amount of money stated in your policy for your pet's first year of treatment, but after that fist year, no more. The treatment for your pet's condition will be your responsibility thereafter. These are usually low cost plans for just that reason.

-- Financial Caps: Some companies call financially capped "lifelong cover," but in reality, it's not. Financially capped is when the company agrees to pay your claim for "X" amount of years but only for a "fixed amount." In this scenario, let's say your dog has developed diabetes and you made a claim. The insurance company will pay out a fixed amount, let's say $5,000. An they paid $2,000 on the first year, another $2,000 on the second year and then another $1,000 dollars on the third year for a total of $5,000. and then no more. After that total of $5,000 has been reached it becomes your responsibility for any additional expenses. What may have been cost effective in the beginning now becomes costly in the long term.

-- Lifelong Cover: Lifelong Cover is just that, lifelong. The insurer or insurance company pays you for your pet's treatment expenses with a fixed amount, every year, for as long as the disease plagues your pet. These plans can be costly so be sure to know your numbers and whether or not it will be necessary.

Knowing what's available, from whom, and how much it costs is imperative. Do your homework and research, read the fine print, and then you will be able to make an informed decision as to what is best for you and your beloved pet.

Determining what insurance is best for you and your pets can only be done by asking the right questions. Knowing all the ins-and-outs of what you're getting is mandatory. To get you started I've provided a few here.

1. Can I choose my own veterinarian? Different companies will have different answers to this one depending on their rules and the policy that you will be getting. It is important to know beforehand in the event of an emergency, whether or not you can bring your pet to the nearest vet and not worry about if they are affiliated with the insurance company or not. If however, it is okay with you that the company has a list of service providers you have to use, then you must get a copy of that list and keep it handy. This way you are always prepered and know exactly where to go in a crisis situation.

2. Do I need to get a comprehensive plan or a discount insurance plan? This will very much depend on your budget. The comprehensive insurance plan works more like our own medical insurance plans. Whereas a discount plan will require you to pay annual fees but give you discounts for veterinary services according to their specifications and restrictions.

3. What if any are the exculsions for the plan coverage? This will depend on the insurance company. The most common exclusions include pre-existing health conditions as well as hereditary defects that may affect your pet. You will have to provide the necessary information about your pet and medical history for them to make this decision. Doing so will allow them to present what they feel is best suited for you and your pet.

4. Are there any deductibles and excesses that I have to pay? This will depend on the plan that you will be getting. The deductible is the first out-of-pocket payment that you have to pay before you can utilize the policy and receive benefits. The smaller this is, the higher your premium will be. This must be decided according to what you can afford. So be sure to take a good look at your budget and allocate only what you can afford.

Asking these questions and any more that you may have will save you a lot of grief down the road and keep you from going broke on inusrance you may not need or use. Don't be afraid to ask! Shop around. Knowledge is power... Use it wisely!

Pet Assure's mission is to provide simple, affordable access to quality veterinary care. Pet households can take their pets to a local veterinarian they trust, receive the same care as everyone else, and save right then and there. With Pet Assure, everything is simple: You never have to deal with deductibles, claims forms, denials of coverage, etc. - the discount is applied right at the time of service. Any and every pet is covered - no exclusions. Any and every medical service is covered - no exclusions. You can use it as much and as often as you like - no annual limits. Pet Assure is open to every pet - even if a pet is old or has a pre-existing condition they will get the full benefit of Pet Assure.

PET ASSURE has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc., The Wall Street Journal and many other magazines, newspapers and trade publications throughout the United States. The company has received extensive television coverage, including features by CNN, CNNFN, CBS, NBC, MSNBC and FOX.