Which Pet Insurance is the Best?

If you are a pet owner, and you’re interested in purchasing pet insurance, there are several things you should know first before navigating the flood of information on pet insurance websites and reviews on the internet. It’s also important to know what types of pet insurance cover what conditions, and you will want to make sure that your beloved pet is covered in the event of an injury or illness. Below is some helpful information about pet insurance. If you have any questions, call Antioch Veterinary Hospital at (925) 757–2800.

pet insurance in antioch, caWhat is pet insurance?

Pet insurance helps to cover the costs of veterinary bills in the event your pet suffers an injury or illness, and depending on the type of insurance and insurance carrier, coverage can vary. Pet insurance policies usually require a monthly enrollment fee, but it can give you peace of mind that your pet is covered, and you won’t have any unexpected vet bills. Unfortunately, veterinarian bills aren’t much cheaper than medical bills. For this reason, many pet owners decide to buy pet insurance. Just like medical insurance, pet insurance companies are a dime a dozen so it can be hard to know how to choose the best pet insurance.

What things should pet insurance cover?

Below are listed some areas that should be covered by a pet insurance policy:

Dental coverage

Dental issues can arise, like a broken tooth, periodontal disease, or a need for a root canal. This is why insurance coverage can help, and some providers will cover the cost of dental treatments.

Death caused by accident or illness

If your pet dies unexpectedly due to an accident or illness, you may be able to claim coverage for the value of your pet, but since not all providers pay-out, you should ask your potential provider.

Missing pet coverage

Unfortunately, pets go missing, and some insurance companies will pay for lost pet notices and will cover the costs of leaflets being distributed, and posts to missing pet websites.

Third-party costs

Some insurance providers will cover cases where your pet causes damage to another person’s property.

How do I choose the right insurance provider?

Choosing the right provider for your pet insurance is not easy, and the best and easiest way is to do research and look at reviews on the internet. Some of these review sites include information on:

Does your veterinarian take insurance?

Although most insurance policies are based on reimbursements, check with your Antioch veterinarian and find out what insurance carriers are accepted.

Cost and value

Most of the pet insurance review sites help you compare cost and value in figuring out the best pet insurance for you. Sometimes the cheapest isn’t always the best, and just because insurance costs more doesn’t necessarily mean it covers more and is right for you. It’s always best to ensure you are aware of deductibles and compare them to the monthly premium. Some pet owners prefer a higher deductible, while some prefer a per-incident deductible, and others are just looking for a lower monthly premium. Probably the most important thing is to make sure that big veterinary items are covered in your policy because that is when your insurance can save you money.

Does it fit your needs?

Pet insurance policies vary, and pet insurance policies differ for different types of pets. Some pet policies cover only cats and dogs, while others will cover horses, birds, or more exotic pets. What type of pet you have will determine the type of insurance you need, and it’s always best to enroll your pet while they are young and healthy because the premiums will be much lower. But if you have an older pet, there are policies out there that can meet your needs.

Check customer reviews

Online research can be vital in choosing an insurance carrier, and checking customer reviews helps choose the best pet insurance for you; it is always nice to know the experiences that other pet owners have had with insurance companies.

Read the fine print

Always read over the entire policy and contract, and don’t be intimidated by legalese. Read through all the paperwork that the insurance company gives you and make sure your pet gets needed coverage, and look for gaps in coverage too. Keep an eye out for exclusions, and don’t hesitate to call the company with any questions. Make sure you know how claims are processed and what the timeframe is for reimbursement; most pet insurance plans are reimbursement plans, where you pay the bills upfront and are reimbursed by the insurance provider later.

Having the right pet insurance is a long-term investment in your pet, and it’s important to know how to choose the best pet insurance before your pet needs medical attention. This way, it will save you money, and can ultimately be a critical decision for your pet.

Which pet insurance is the best?

As mentioned above, the answer to this question depends on you, your pet, and which insurance plans your veterinarian accepts. However, you can review recommendations from the following online sources:

Money magazine’s the 10 best pet insurance companies of 2020

  • Healthy Paws: Best Value with reimbursements fulfilled in as little as two days.
  • Embrace: High coverage for dental illnesses.
  • Petplan: Coverage for pets begins early at six weeks old.
  • Trupanion: One straightforward policy that covers hereditary conditions.
  • Nationwide: The best company that insures exotic animals.
  • ASPCA: Good option for multiple pets.
  • PetFirst: For pet owners who want preventive care coverage.
  • TrustedPals: Best for flexible deductibles and co-pays
  • Pets Best: Can cover older animals
  • FIGO: Could pay 100 percent of covered expenses.

The Balance’s 7 best pet insurance companies of 2021

  • Best Overall: Figo
  • Runner-Up, Best Overall: Trupanion
  • Best for Dogs and Cats: Healthy Paws
  • Best Value: Pets Best
  • Best for Multiple Pets: AKC
  • Best for Exotic Animals: Nationwide
  • Best for Equine: ASPCA

Investopedia’s 9 best pet insurance companies of 2021

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