Without a doubt, pets are part of the family & we want to protect them.
If you’ve ever considered pet insurance, keep reading for a rundown of coverage options!
An overview of pet insurance: what does it cover?
If your dog or cat is sick or injured, pet insurance can cover your eligible veterinary bills and certain medications, according to what’s covered by your policy.
With pet insurance, you can typically use any licensed vet, including specialty and emergency clinics. You’ll submit your eligible expenses as a claim after your vet visit.
For comprehensive plans that cover accidents and injuries, you’ll likely need to meet a deductible before your coverage kicks in.
Does pet insurance cover any pets besides cats and dogs?
Not typically. You’ll need an insurer that specializes in exotic pets. When it comes to pet insurance, “exotic” can be used to describe any animal that isn’t a cat or dog.
Pet insurers will also ask about any pre-existing conditions your pet has. These are medical conditions your pet has prior to your policy start date and won’t be covered by the plan you purchase. Some insurers require a checkup and waiting period before your coverage begins.
The length of the waiting period varies by state, insurer, and coverage type but may be a few weeks for illness coverage; for accident coverage, it’s usually a few days.
Before choosing a pet insurer and plan, make sure you know exactly how your dog or cat is covered. Insurers will have different coverages, but they typically fall into these categories and may exclude pre-existing conditions:
- Accidents such as cuts, lacerations, broken legs, ingestions, and swallowed objects
- Illnesses such as arthritis, allergies, skin and ear infections, diabetes, and cancer
- Hereditary and congenital conditions like elbow and hip dysplasia, glaucoma, epilepsy, luxating patella, and cherry eye (if symptoms aren’t present before coverage is purchased)
- Routine care for preventative procedures such as annual exams, vaccinations, bloodwork, and dental cleanings — for an extra cost
For accidents and illnesses, you can generally choose between accident-only plans, which only cover treatment for accident-related injuries, or comprehensive plans that cover both accidents and illnesses.
Routine care, such as vaccinations, preventative dental care, and spaying or neutering may be covered by a separate pet wellness plan.
Is it easy to obtain a quote?
You can quote pet insurance from a variety of insurance companies. To quote, you’ll need to provide a few details about your pet, such as their name, pet type (dog or cat), age, breed, and gender. You’ll also need to provide some basic information about yourself, including your name and address.
The pet insurance market outlook:
The North American pet insurance market saw gross written premiums increase 21.9% in 2023 to reach a record $4.27 billion, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.
More than 6.25 million pets across North America were insured this past year, the association reported.
In the U.S., gross written premiums increased 21.6% in 2023. This follows premium growth of 24.2% in 2022, 30.4% in 2021 and 27.5% in 2020. The Canadian market has witnessed similar growth in recent years and 2023’s gross written premium increasing nearly 30%.
How much does it cost to insure a pet?
Most pets can be insured for a few hundred dollars a year, depending on the provider and the type of plan you choose. In general, accident-only plans are less expensive than comprehensive plans, which cover accidents and illness. Prices will vary based on your location, deductible, and reimbursement level, as well as your pet’s age and breed.
There are so many options when it comes to protecting your pet, and we’re here to help!
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