Questions about Pet Insurance?
Choosing a pet insurance policy can be overwhelming given the number of options available. When evaluating which policy may work best for you and your pet, here are a few key factors to consider:
Premium: Your monthly cost for the pet insurance policy — make sure it fits within your budget. This amount can vary depending on your deductible.
Deductible: The amount you're responsible for paying before your pet insurance begins reimbursing you. Deductibles can be applied annually or per condition, depending on the insurance company. Some companies allow you to choose your own deductible amount.
Wellness vs. Illness/Injury: Some pet insurance policies cover routine wellness care, while others offer something similar to a pet health savings account, and others exclude wellness coverage entirely. Be sure to review any policy you're considering to determine whether wellness coverage is important to you.
Pre-existing Conditions: Most pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions. This means that if your pet has already been diagnosed with a specific condition, it likely will not be covered. To maximize coverage, your pet should be insured before any conditions develop. That said, each insurance company will review your pet's medical history individually — a prior condition doesn't necessarily prevent other conditions from being covered in the future.
Payout Limits: Some pet insurance companies cap reimbursements at a predetermined amount for certain conditions. It's important to understand these limits (whether per pet, per year, or per condition) before selecting a policy. For example, if a company reimburses up to $2,500 for a cranial cruciate ligament repair but the procedure costs $4,000–$6,000, you would be responsible for the remaining balance.
Congenital Conditions: Some pet insurance companies will not cover congenital conditions — even if symptoms don't appear until after your pet is insured. This means that a condition your pet was born with may be excluded from coverage regardless of when it is diagnosed.
Breed Restrictions: Some pet insurance companies exclude coverage for conditions that certain breeds are predisposed to. For example, mitral valve disease may not be covered for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Claim Deadlines: Some pet insurance companies require that claims be submitted within a specific timeframe following a veterinary visit or incident, and will deny any claims submitted after that deadline. Understanding these requirements upfront can help you avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
Have more questions? We're happy to help! Reach out to us and we'll do our best to provide you with the information you need to choose the right policy for you, your pet, and your budget.
A veterinary loan company, Scratch Pay is not a credit card and does not affect your credit score when you apply for approval. Scratch Pay can be easily done from any smartphone, after a treatment estimate from Belmont Animal Hospital has been provided. Apply now at scratchpay.com.
