The Value of Dog Insurance and VIP Pet Insurance
For many pet owners, preparing for those times when their beloved dog or cat needs medical attention is an eventuality that needs serious attention and is the primary reason why many now subscribe to various VIP Pet insurance. More important than spoiling them with treats, accessories and specialized dog treatments, preparing for their health should be of utmost concern. Medical bills from injury or sickness can be quite a burden if not properly prepared for. And because dogs and cats are active creatures and the fact that certain breeds have a proclivity to certain ailments, getting injured or sick is more a question of “when” than ”if.”
Currently, there are a variety companies which offer services to financially help responsible pet owners take better care of their pets. Therefore, choosing the proper plan is an activity that requires serious thought and is something that should not be taken lightly. Choosing the wrong plan may prove to be more detrimental in the end as it may result in more spending and substandard care for the pets. In choosing, there are certain guidelines that a pet owner must look out for to help him or her make a more informed decision. For one, the owner must try to ascertain that the entire (or a large part) cost of the medical procedure is covered. Whether it is a mere a check-up or a more serious procedure, owners will do well to make sure that they are properly insulated from as much cost as possible. Another important point to consider are the payout limits as they vary from policy to policy. A third consideration would be the hidden costs that may not have been properly explained or stated in the policy which can cause the owner great frustration by paying for procedures he is not prepared for.
It is important to choose the package that is best suited for you and your pet. Many of the VIP pet insurance offered in the market today are customizable to suit the particular situation of the owner. One should merely take time to study the options before settling on a final choice. Once a choice has been made though, the owner should remember to pay the premiums on time and avoid a lapse of the policy to make sure that he is covered for whatever emergency.
Countries like the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom have several companies offering VIP Pet Insurance. Notable ones like VPI, Embrace and Pets Best all offer comprehensive packages which an interested owner can choose from. Each company has specific good and bad points and there are several resources where comparisons between them and their respective packages are presented. All in all, it is very wise to purchase a VIP Pet Insurance for your dog or cat and one should not wait until the last minute before seriously considering insuring your pet as many policies have restrictions against pre-existing conditions and age.
The Importance of Dog Insurance and Pet Insurance Comparison
pWith the rising cost of pet medicine, vaccines and veterinary procedures, it comes as no surprise that Pet Insurance is becoming more common and with it, a need for standards to conduct a decent pet insurance comparison. With too many specifics in each policy to realistically compare everything, there are things a pet owner can look at to help him make an informed decision. Topics like benefit limits, deductibles and what is covered to name a few are just some of the considerations that should always be included when choosing which pet insurance is right for you. Here is a basic overview of five pet insurance companies and how they stack up against each other.
Pets Best
Pets Best lets you insure your pet when he reaches eight weeks old. Its benefit limit is a lifetime limit of $99,750 and its deductible is $75 per incident. The company provides discounts for multiple pets but does not however cover pre- existing conditions. A notable feature is that it covers cancer as well as sterilization (provided you obtain the additional wellness plan). The approximate monthly cost is $32.00. Further information may be obtained from their website www.petbest.com
ShelterCare
ShelterCare Pet Insurance Corporation which offers its services in both the United States and Canada insures pets as young as eight weeks old up to eight years old. It has no annual benefit limit and also has no deductibles. It does not cover pre-existing conditions but covers cancer. Sterilization is not covered and its approximate monthly cost is $29.95. The website of the company is www.sheltercare.com.
PetCare
PetCare is a large company that provides services not just for pet owners but also to veterinarians and pet shelters through various subsidiaries. Based in Oakville, Ontario, this company has presence in the United States, Canada and even the United Kingdom. You may insure pets as young as eight weeks and as old as eight years. It has no annual benefit limit and charges $50 deductible per incident. It does not cover pre-existing conditions and sterilization but it does cover cancer. Approximate monthly cost is around $29.95 and further information on their packages may be seen at www.petcareinsurance.com.
Embrace Pet Insurance
Created by two Wharton MBA graduates, this company differentiates itself by implementing novel ideas such as running an environmentally friendly office and helping out with pet related charities. Regarding its policies, you can insure dogs from eight weeks to eight years old and cats from eight weeks to 10 years old. The benefit limits vary from $2,000, $5,000, or $10,000 per year. Deductibles vary as well from $100, $200 or $500 per year. They do cover pre-existing conditions (provided it is completely cured) as well as cancer but not sterilization. Approximate monthly cost is about $25 and their website is www.embracepetinsurance.com. It regularly ranks high in Pet Insurance Comparison lists and was the victor in the Wharton Business plan competition in 2003 beating technology and biotech companies.With the rising cost of pet medicine, vaccines and veterinary procedures, it comes as no surprise that Pet Insurance is becoming more common and with it, a need for standards to conduct a decent pet insurance comparison. With too many specifics in each policy to realistically compare everything, there are things a pet owner can look at to help him make an informed decision. Topics like benefit limits, deductibles and what is covered to name a few are just some of the considerations that should always be included when choosing which pet insurance is right for you. Here is a basic overview of five pet insurance companies and how they stack up against each other.
Understanding Dog Insurance
Dog insurance is the term for an insurance policy specifically designed for dogs which the owner purchases for the purpose of mitigating whatever expenses might be incurred from the veterinary treatment caused by injury or sickness. Like a human being’s health insurance, the owner has to choose from different plans which have different costs and range of coverage.
Historically, the first ever pet insurance policy was written in 1890 by Claes Virgin. This policy however, dealt more with horses and livestock and not so much with dogs. It reached the United States around 1980 and the first ever policy sold was two years after that for then K9 television star Lassie by the insurance company Veterinary Pet Insurance.
Because of the rising cost of veterinary procedures and the ever growing bond between dogs and their owners, dog insurance is fast becoming the norm making it necessary for dog owners and lovers to be familiar with how this insurance works in order to better safeguard their beloved companions. Generally, dog insurance is really a type of property insurance. This means that the dog owner may claim for reimbursement from the insurance company after his dog has received the necessary veterinary care. Originally, dog insurance did not cover preventive care procedures such as vaccines and elective surgeries like neutering. Recently though, many insurance companies especially in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada have been including these procedures in their policies and even include dental care and other alternative treatments.
There are two main categories for dog insurance: non-lifetime and lifetime. Non- lifetime policies include most conditions suffered by the dog within the effective range covered by the policy. If the dog however, receives treatment for a particular sickness or injury and subsequently claims from the insurance company, this sickness or injury shall not be included when the policy is renewed. This also means that if there are succeeding treatments related to the original injury or sickness which does not fall on the time frame covered by the original policy, the owner must pay for the treatment himself. Lifetime dog insurance policies, on the other hand, cover the dog’s condition for the duration of its life- which means that even if there was a claim for a particular treatment, it will not be excluded upon renewal of the policy. However, lifetime policies may also have stipulated limits depending on the type, and company offering them. Usually, dog insurance companies limit the coverage for pre-existing conditions to encourage dog owners to insure their pets while they are young. This also serves as a safeguard for the insurance companies against fraudulent consumers.
Lastly, when making the final decision, the pet owner must carefully compare and evaluate which policy to get and from which company to get it from. In choosing the right dog insurance policy, it is important to note if (1) congenital conditions are included, (2) how they calculate the reimbursement and (3) if there are limits to the claims.
