Insuring The Health Of Your Pets Is A Good Policy
by Charlene Playsted
http://www.felpet.com
Few people stop to consider the unexpected medical expenses
that can arise when you own pets. Veterinarian bills,
immunization and medication aside, an illness or accident
can end up costing a pet owner thousands of dollars of out
of pocket expenses. That figure can climb even higher in
pets that are prone to certain physical problems like hip
dysplasia.
You think nothing of paying for medical insurance for the
rest of your family, but have you considered purchasing
health insurance for your treasured pet? The investment is
typically small, and the benefits include saving money on
care for your pet, and peace of mind that you can afford to
pay for treatment in the event of illness or accident.
A comprehensive routine care policy usually costs about $100
a year, and will reimburse you 90% of the costs of routine
care for your pet. That includes routine visits for
checkups, vaccinations and other immunizations, heartworm
medication for dogs even the expense of getting rid of
fleas.
Depending on the plan you choose, a few dollars a month can
cut those costs to a much more reasonable $50 to $75 per
incident, or even a cumulative deductible. Many insurance
plans for pets work exactly the way that regular health
plans work for humans. There are other plans, however, that
have benefits tailored for pets and their owners.
Most pet insurance policies include coverage for some non-
medical expenses as well. If your new puppy ruined the
carpet in your rented apartment, for instance, some policies
will reimburse you for part of the replacement cost or fee
charged by your rental agent. Nearly all cover the costs
associated with finding a lost pet, including advertising
and copying. Some will even pay for your pet to be boarded
and taken care of if you end up in the hospital.
Pet insurance isn't limited to dogs and cats. Birds, snakes
and other exotic pets can be covered with a policy designed
especially for their needs. Nearly any animal that you own
can be covered including chinchillas, guinea pigs,
iguanas, pot belly pigs, parakeets, macaws.. the list is
endless.
Some carriers offer even more specific plans that are
tailored for specific needs. One company, for instance, is
designed for pet owners who live in rented apartments. That
plan includes third party insurance for damage your pet
causes to your apartment.
Most plans include a deductible usually $100 per incident,
though some offer a cumulative annual deductible instead.
With a per incident deductible, you'll only be able to
collect reimbursement when treatment for a single incident
is over $100. With a cumulative deductible, once you've paid
out the deductible amount, you may file a claim for
reimbursment of any costs that are incurred in the same
year.
Baby, an eight year old dog was diagnosed with bone cancer.
The recommended treatment of chemotherapy cost $895. Baby's
owner carried a pet insurance policy that cost $9.95 per
month. The annual rate was $99.95. The deductible on the
policy was $50. The insurance company paid out $845 on the
claim, making a total savings of $745 for Baby's owner.
In addition to standard pet insurance, there are pet owners
associations that offer discount membership plans that can
save you money in caring for your pets. These plans will
save you 25% and more when you get your services from a
participating veterinarian, pet store or supply store. The
discounted items include everything from surgery to boarding
to dog food.
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