Please make sure to understand your policy BEFORE purchasing!
I’m not quite sure many times I can say this! Many pet owners are often surprised by why their claims are not covered. Unfortunately, and more often than not, the exclusion is outlined in the policy (whether or not it makes logical sense). Every pet insurance company has different policies, so it is very important to read and understand it before selecting which plan and company works best for your pet and your wallet.
Keep in mind that just because a policy is only costing you $10 a month, doesn’t mean that your pet will have adequate coverage. Since every pet owner’s situation is different, it’s important to do some research, and see which healthcare options work best for you.
Reading the policy exclusions and limitations is what I might consider the most crucial. It is important to understand which conditions may or may not be covered, if premiums may increase over time, and how long certain conditions such as diabetes and cancer are covered for. Some insurance companies will cover conditions such as cancer for only a certain amount of time, such as the year it occurred followed by a few more months into the next year, while others may cover the condition for the life of the pet.
Overall, it is important to choose an insurance plan carefully and to fully understand the policy so that the pet owner and pet insurance company can have a good relationship for the life of the pet. No one wants to be slammed with a huge vet bill and then get denied for their claim because they did not fully understand their policy. Take some time prior to enrolling for coverage and read the policy, and call the company and ask questions about anything that you don’t understand, to save yourself a huge headache down the road.
For a clearer visual representation of what companies do and do not cover, check out the pet insurance comparison on Trupanion’s site.
Melissa,
The #1 rule to abide by when purchasing pet insurance is:
“Never buy a pet insurance without reading the policy, and if you don’t understand something – ask.”
I wrote an article once entitled, “What every pet owner MUST do before purchasing pet insurance.” (See rule #1)