Important Features of a Pet Insurance Plan
Pets are very important parts of our lives. Some of them have grown with us for many years, while others are more recent, but no less loved. You insure your loved ones in order to ensure that they will be able to access health care when they need it. You should also consider getting insurance for your pets, so that in the event that they need medical attention, funds will not be a barrier to them getting it.
Features to Consider in a Plan
Many companies that are in the business of insuring pets offer a variety of plans that pet owners can choose from. However, it is very important that you know what to look out for in order to be sure that you are getting the best value for money, as well as the best protection for your much-loved pet.
Benefit schedules are a very important component of pet insurance plans. They list the different diagnoses that are covered under the plan and the maximum amount that the insurance company will pay out in order to offset the bill for treatment. Some plans do not list amounts, but rather state the percentages of the veterinary bills that you will be reimbursed.
Whether an insurance plan covers genetic conditions is another very important consideration. With cats and dogs that are purebred, there is a high likelihood of hereditary illnesses. If you have pets that might be prone to such illnesses, then you should be certain as to whether their treatment will be covered under the plan.
Limits are very important too. They are usually either on a per-accident or annual basis, meaning that any claims you make will only be reimbursed up to that limit, either for the particular incident that warranted the treatment or over the course of a year, depending on the terms of the plan.
Pre-existing conditions are also usually mentioned in the terms and conditions of insurance plans for pets. This refers to whether the plan will cover conditions that existed before the commencement of cover. There are some plans that completely exclude pre-existing conditions, while others cover curable ones but not incurable ones.
The Importance of Understanding the Terms of Cover
While most people are likely to already understand the terms of an insurance plan for human beings, there are a number of differences when it comes to cover for pets that might make things a little more difficult to fully understand. Despite that, it is important that you ask as many questions as necessary in order to fully understand what you are signing up for. Get legal counsel if necessary, although you can search online for reviews and articles that explain the various terms in detail. The point of this is to avoid a situation in which you are surprised by something, even though it is stated in your contract with the insurance company.