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Weeding through all of the different types of Pet Insurance can be intimidating and its hard to know exactly what you are getting.  Here are a few things you want to keep in mind when shopping around:

Make sure you can choose your own vet

Most pet insurance companies do not operate like HMO’s.  You should be able to purchase pet insurance and see your regular vet, switch whenever you want, or find a new one.  Be wary of any company that will not let you see a veterinarian of your choice. One way you can find this is in your policy terms (before you buy) or other pages on the company’s website.

Do they cover pre-existing conditions?

This one can be tricky since you may not be aware of a pre-existing condition.  We have seen stories where a family did not know their puppy had a pre-existing condition and when diagnosed, the insurer refused to cover current and future treatment for that condition.

Do they exclude certain breeds?

Some insurers exclude coverage for certain breeds of dog or cat.  Be sure to check into this before seeking out a quote and make sure your dog or cat is not on the list of excluded breeds.  There tends to be far more breeds of dog excluded than cats.

Keep track of Deductibles versus Premiums

A deductible is an amount you must pay before any insurance coverage kicks in.  For example, if your deductible for a type of treatment is $1,000 and the Vet Bill comes to $1,500, the insurer will only reimburse you for $500 provided they cover 100% past the deductible.  However, if a second visit is required in the same year for the same condition and the bill comes to $1,500 again, you will be reimbursed for the full amount.  Keep in mind that this is just a basic example of how deductibles work and the specifics will depend on your policy.  Many insurers only pay a percentage over deductible such as 80%.  This means that you will only be reimbursed for 80% of the cost beyond what you paid as a deductible.  The deductible and percentage typically vary based upon the plan you choose and monthly premium.

Check for Age Limits

Some insurers will not cover your pet if they are above a certain age.  Many insurers will also not cover your pet until they have reached at least 8 weeks of age.  This all depends on the insurer so make sure to check into this while you are shopping around.

Be sure to understand what you need

There are many choices when it comes to what is covered, co-pays, premiums, and deductibles.  Make sure you know what is important to you and your pet and what you are looking for.  Some of the most common ways Pet Insurance coverage changes depends on whether you are looking for accident coverage (hit by a car or attacked by another animal), routine coverage (vaccines and checkups, sometimes dental), long term treatment (cancer, diabetes etc.).  Make sure you understand exactly what you are getting, the last thing we want is pet parents to find out that they aren’t covered for what they really need when they need it.