Pet Health Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Holistic and conventional veterinary medicine has made great improvements in the quality of our pet's lives over the past decade. Our pets are living longer and happier lives. Too often we find out that though treatment is available for our pet the cost is simply beyond our means.

Costs for treatments and surgery for dogs can range from about $300.00 for Auricular Hematoma (swollen, fluid-filled ear) to $9,000 for cancer of the liver. Cost for treatments and surgery for cats range from $250.00 for multiple bite wounds to $1,500 for Malignant Skin Mass.

One of the more common illnesses for both older cats and dogs are cataracts. In fact, dog cataract surgery is so common today that animal health insurance companies recognize the problem and cover these treatments. So you can see why having pet health insurance can literally save your pet's life and your savings account.

Holistic vets make use of alternative therapies. Alternative therapies include vitamin supplements, massage, acupressure, natural foods, and herbal remedies as part of the healing process. Before you purchase pet health plans inquire if the company will pay for holistic treatments and supplements. Many of the popular policies today do not cover alternative therapy.

But, you can still find a way to help pay for holistic treatment. There are actually pet HMOs on the market today. A pet HMO will usually give you a 25 percent discount on veterinary services for all pets. The pet HMO differs from the conventional insurance plan in that it has no deductibles or exclusions for pre-existing conditions. You do not pay a higher rate for older sicker pets.

If you are planning to purchase more conventional pet health insurance familiarize yourself with pre-existing conditions limitations. Different companies have different definitions of pre-existing conditions. Some insurance plans define the pre existing condition as something that happened before the policy went into effect. Other companies will include congenital conditions or disorders.

Congenital disorders are somewhat like ticking time bombs. They are present in the animal at birth but do not manifest or appear until later in life. Certain breeds are particularly prone to some conditions. Large dogs often experience hip dysplasia as they get older.

If you know your dog's breed you may want to find out if their congenital conditions are covered. If you have a pet that is a mixed breed you may not be able to figure out what breed is the most dominant and what congenital conditions you need to concern yourself with. In this case you might want to consider the pet HMO option as an alternative to the conventional insurance.

Whatever kind of pet you have and whatever kind of treatment you give your pet - holistic or conventional, consider finding out about pet insurance. Insurance protects you from unexpected expense and in the case of your pet unexpected heart ache. No one wants to have to make the choice between money and their pet's life. Pet insurance is not very expensive and let's you not have to worry about paying for that unexpected surgery your pet many need some day.

 

By Marianne Wolff

How To Get The Best Pet Insurance Deal?

With the economy like it is, most of us can't afford to be hit with a huge vet bill. Yet if our beloved furry friend was to fall ill, we would have no choice but to find the money somehow, which would be an enormous stress.

This is why taking out pet insurance is such a good idea, particularly if you are armed with the knowledge on how to get the best deal. If your dog or cat should fall ill or have an injury then the insurance will cover the cost. Before you take the decision to get pet insurance there are some things you should consider:

1. Type of Coverage

This is probably the most important factor affecting how much your premiums will cost. Do you want coverage just for accidental injury or for routine vet care? Or do you want everything to be included? It is important to consider this carefully, and access your lifestyle as to what kind of problems your pet is more likely to encounter in the future. You could choose to cover some of the vet bills which will ultimately lower your insurance premiums.

2. Your Pet May Affect The Premium

You pet's age and breed will also affect the insurance premiums. The older the animal, the more you can expect to pay. Generally you will not be able to insure a dog over the age of 8 or a cat over the age of 10. However if they are younger than this then you could take out a lifetime policy which will cover them for the rest of their lives. Some breeds will be more expensive to insure because of susceptibility to illness.

3. Shop Around!

There are so many policies available from different insurers and the cost will vary greatly. Ring around for quotes or go on comparison websites to ensure you are getting the best deal.

4. Is Your Pet Spayed?

If your cat or dog is neutered/spayed then you can expect to pay less for your insurance. This is because a spayed animal is less prone to certain illnesses. It may be worth getting your pet spayed to save money in the long run.

5. Read The Small Print

There are always a lot of terms and conditions with any insurance policy. Before taking out the policy read all the details very carefully, especially what is and isn't included, the excess you need to pay and what could void an insurance claim.

By Emma Nutter

Pet Insurance in USA - Is It Right for You?

Having health insurance options for pets is a relatively new trend. Perhaps ten years ago, people would have laughed if you told them you bought pet insurance, but today, it's big business. As a pet owner, you probably know how expensive a visit to the vet can be. If you're lucky, you will never have to do anything more than get Rusty a check-up and his regular shots. But most likely, Rusty has had some more serious health problems. Genetic and physical disorders can be a costly issue.

What Does Pet Insurance Provide?
It's not so different from human health insurance. Pet insurance companies generally offer different plans. They have deductibles, premiums, copays, limits, and exclusions. The offerings are highly variable, as with human insurance, so if you are considering purchasing, be sure to shop around. Understand what the risks are for Rusty, especially if he is a pure breed. Know what he is genetically predisposed to and read policies very carefully before purchasing so that you know what will be excluded.

What are the Pros of Buying Pet Insurance?
According to U.S. News and World Report, Americans spent $9.4 billion on pet health needs in 2006 and the costs are rising. With the increasing costs, the number of insurance policies is also rising. But is it worth it? There are some benefits to buying a policy for your best friend.

While buying insurance for anything involves some risk, what is certain is that any health problems that Rusty may suffer from beyond the ordinary preventative measures will be expensive. Just diagnosing an illness, with for example an MRI scan, can cost up to $5,000. Getting stuck with a bill like this, not to mention the cost of treatment for his ailment can be devastating. Many dog and cat owners have faced the horrible decision of whether or not they can afford to treat their pet. With insurance, you would not have to face that overwhelming choice.

Probably the biggest benefit to owning a pet insurance policy, besides possible saving money, is having peace of mind. If you have ever thought about whether or not you could afford to care for Rusty if he developed cancer or were hit by a car, you may be a candidate for insurance. It could ease your mind knowing you don't have to choose between Rusty's life and well-being and having money in the bank.

What are the Cons of Buying Pet Insurance?
The biggest con when it comes to purchasing insurance for Rusty is that it may end up costing you more than it saves you. Perhaps more than with other insurance types, pet insurance is risky. There is a good chance that you will never need it or that you will need it once or twice for minor occurrences. Premiums for pet insurance can cost between $2,000 and $5,000 over the average pet's lifespan and deductibles can be up to $100 per occurrence. If you are going to buy a policy, you need to be comfortable with the fact that that chunk of money may end up being a loss. For mixed-breed dogs especially, pet insurance often represents a loss to the owner because they tend to be far healthier than pure breeds.

Are There any More Cost-Effective Alternatives?
Check with your employer. Although still unusual, more companies are offering pet insurance as part of a benefit package. You might also consider creating a savings account just for Rusty. It would essentially be emergency savings that you have earmarked for any health problems that may arise. If you are caught in a bad situation, some banks may offer short term financing for pet emergencies.

by Ron Ayalon