Insurance Health Dog Plans – Comparing Dog Insurance Quotes
“I need health insurance for my dog,” you might be heard to say, surprised at such a statement. You might not have realized that insurance was available to pet owners in the United States before the current economic downturn, and now you find yourself faced with the situation of wondering what options you have left. It is a very common question among pet owners today, and one which will be answered in this article. First though, it is important for us to clarify what we are talking about here.
“Insurance” is an often maligned word, especially when used to refer to human health care. For dogs, however, insurance is a far more reasonable term. In fact, just like humans, dogs can get sick and need health care, and they too need insurance to pay for that care. It would be unreasonable to expect dog owners to shoulder all the costs related to their pet’s health care, and as such, insurance was designed to cover these costs.
Today’s health care market is so complex that many people would assume it to be totally out of reach. While it is true that health care coverage is usually more expensive for the average consumer, dog health insurance is far from bankrupting dog owners. There are many options available to dog owners seeking health insurance. Depending on your budget, health care coverage may be as affordable as $100 per month. Most dog health policies cover routine visits to your veterinarian and emergency procedures like shots and de-worming, which obviously will not apply to cancer or other serious illnesses.
What makes insurance health care attractive to dog owners is that they are often able to tailor its benefits to fit their own pet care needs. Unlike human health insurance, dog insurance does not limit your pets to routine care and coverage, but rather allows you to choose what you want covered and how much. For instance, there are packages available that can include preventative screenings like annual check-ups and heart worm testing at no additional cost, and also prescription drug coverage for certain medications at a discounted rate if purchased within a particular group.
Many people assume that they cannot afford health insurance for their dog because of their budget. The good news is that there are ways to save money on this important expense. For example, your local veterinary clinic may be able to offer you a discount, or offer you a payment plan that allows you to spread out the cost over time. In some cases, there are veterinary care plans available through local, state, or national sources that can provide reasonable cost savings for dog owners. These plans typically allow you to choose what you want, when you want it, and for how long.
One important thing to remember when searching for dog health insurance, and any insurance for that matter, is that the cheapest policy may not be the best. Many dog insurance policies actually contain hidden fees and rates that can turn the coverage into a high deductible with a low monthly premium. What you want to do is compare policy prices and deductibles before making your decision. This will help you to eliminate coverage that is unnecessary, and increase your monthly premium. You also want to look carefully at the co-pays and the limits of the medications that are covered, as well as the maximum out of pocket expenses, which are often only listed after you have made a large initial premium payment.
Before you decide on the best dog health insurance for your pet, it’s important to consider how much overall health care you expect to use your dog’s policy. Some insurance companies may offer a discount on premiums if you choose to use them for all of the healthcare needs of your dog, while other companies offer better discounts on just a few procedures or services. If you only have a few routine appointments with your dog’s vet, an insurance plan may offer you more options for affordable monthly premiums. This is why it’s important to compare a variety of insurance health dog policies before making your final decision.
It can be easy to feel that your dog’s healthcare is solely your responsibility. After all, you make all of his food, buy his toys, take him to the vet for regular check-ups and keep his vaccinations up to date. In the end, though, you must make sure that you have adequate insurance health dog policies in place. Once you have them in place, your dog’s healthcare costs won’t be as overwhelming.
