Best Pet Insurance Reviews of 2019
Having a pet is a bliss, and when they suffer, their owners hurt, too. Pet insurance makes things easier when the unexpected injury or illness happens. Parents can find peace of mind knowing they have their furry children’s back in case the worse things happen. That is why pet insurance is helpful and needed, and not just a marketing tool from insurance providers.
The Best Pet Insurance of 2019
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1. Pets Best
This pet insurance firm is a top choice for parents who are looking to insure their pets with broad coverage, no maximum age limit, offering the option of unlimited caps and a maximum reimbursement level of 90%. Pets Best provides coverage for a wide range of conditions, including chronic, hereditary and congenital conditions, as well as cancer, exam fees, dental coverage and so on. The firm makes it clear on its website what exactly is not covered: preexisting conditions, parasites, elective and preventive procedures, etc.
However, Pets Best also offers two routine care plans that can be added to the basic one. These cover regular and planned visits to the vet’s office for vaccination or teeth cleaning. With these plans, there is no deductible and the waiting period is only one day. Waiting periods with this company are reasonable: only three days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 6 months for cruciate ligament events or related conditions.
2. Trupanion
Having no limits whatsoever on its policies, Trupanion can be another top choice when it comes to pet insurance. However, its policies are more expensive than most of its competitors and this firm does impose lifetime, per-illness deductibles. Their values vary between $0 to $1,000. Trupanion also imposes a maximum pet age limit of 14 and a 90% reimbursement level, which is quite good compared to other pet insurance firms. Coverage includes hereditary and congenital conditions, including diabetes, as well as medications, veterinary supplements, and so on.
However, the company does not mention on its website anything about cancer being covered as a non-preexisting condition. The waiting periods with Trupanion are five days for injuries and 30 days for diseases, without any longer waiting periods for severe conditions. Trupanion also offers certain optional wellness extensions which can be added to the basic insurance plan, covering wellness care and expected visits to the vet. It also offers the Direct Vet Pay option, which implies that the firm directly reimburses the vet at the pet’s checkout from the veterinary office.
3. PetFirst
A pet insurance firm with plenty of experience on the market, PetFirst has customizable plans and no age limit for the pets who are enrolled. It does have, though, limited annual payouts, annual deductibles and an 80% reimbursement rate. However, its monthly premiums (prices) are reasonable, making it a good choice for those with a limited budget. PetFirst does not impose any lifetime or per-incident caps. Its coverage includes hereditary, congenital and chronic conditions, including cancer, as long as it is not preexisting (as long as the symptoms are not shown before enrolling and before the waiting period for illnesses has passed). The company also covers exam fees.
It also offers different wellness plans and a special plan for senior pets, covering the specific conditions that older pets are likely to develop. The waiting periods with PetFirst are also quite reasonable, these being immediate for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 12 months for cruciate ligament events.
Pet Insurance Reviews
When choosing a pet insurance company, it is crucial to do your research by reading independent reviews such as ours written by experts and experienced users to get a clear idea of what is offered.
Pet Insurance Comparison
Objectively put aside two pet insurance providers to analyze exactly what is being covered, how long they have been in business for and the conditions of each firm before making a final decision.
How to Choose the Right Pet Insurance
When choosing the most appropriate insurance, ask yourself two main questions: ‘What are my financial possibilities?’ and ‘What are my pet’s needs?’.
Obviously, pet insurance needs to fit your own financial possibilities. In this regard, look at three main aspects:
- What is the company’s monthly premium? Can I pay it monthly?
- What is the deductible? Does the company offer an annual deductible or a lifetime, per-illness one? Can I afford it?
- What is the provider’s reimbursement level? Can I afford paying upfront, knowing that the company will send me its part of the vet invoice later on?
As about the second question, ask yourself:
What are my pet’s condition predisposition? It is a purebred pet, and if yes, what are the typical conditions that characterize my pet’s health?
- What are my furry friend’s medical records? Does it show signs of preexisting conditions?
- What does the insurance provider cover?
- Can I afford to pay a bit extra for a wellness plan? If yes, what exactly does it cover?
Finding the answers to all of these questions and then looking for a pet insurance firm that covers what you and your pet need will help you choose the right pet insurance. Remember, the most important one is what exactly the provider covers.
Make sure you fully understand the pet insurance company’s coverage. If you have any unclarities, make sure to contact the firm and find out exact answers. You don’t want to wake up in a scenario where your pet gets seriously ill only to find out that the treatment for that condition not only that it is extremely expensive, but it is not covered, either.
Dog Insurance
Dogs are prone to a set of conditions that are extremely costly, like cancer, diabetes, heart worm or rabies. To avoid unfortunate events, dog insurance is meant to help owners treat them.
Cat Insurance
Our feline pals are also prone to certain conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, or respiratory infections. Their cure sometimes costs thousands of dollars. Cat insurance will help the parent pay for these treatments.
Pet Insurance 101
What Is Pet Insurance?
Pretty much like human health insurance, pet insurance is a method used by pet owners to pay for the pet’s treatments when they get ill or injured. There can also be other optional plans made available by pet insurance providers to cover other expenses like wellness and preventive care.
Usually, pet insurance in the U.S. may cover unexpected accidents, which could be broken bones, wounds, and so on, non-preexisting accidents and diseases, which should also be comprised of genetic, congenital and chronic conditions, including cancer, and wellness. These generally are optional and may include microchipping, spaying or neutering, vaccinations, etc.
Most of the times, pet insurance providers do not cover preexisting conditions. These are accidents and illnesses that show their symptoms and signs before enrolling or before the waiting period has passed. It is important to find a company that does not consider cancer as being a preexisting condition, if it does not show its symptoms before enrolling.
Costs Involving Pet Insurance
Pet insurance premiums differ from each provider. However, prices are not that high. For instance, you will discover that usually, accident plans may cost as low as only $10 per month. There are, though, more comprehensive plans that can reach $80 monthly.
Generally, the factors that affect pet insurance prices are species, breed, the pet’s age and the owner’s location. Since most firms have customizable plans, there is a choice for every type of budget, if there is the will to insure the pet.
When choosing a pet insurance provider, it is important to look at:
How Do I Enroll My Pet?
Enrolling your furry pal with a pet insurance company is very easy, most of the times. It is a procedure that can be done online, on the firm’s website. Some providers ask for a detailed medical history for your pet, therefore it is a good idea to get his or her medical records from your vet.
After enrolling, check again the coverage before filing a claim. When you do file such claim, some firms will ask you to fill in a certain form, others – only a picture of the vet’s invoice. If your claim is denied after sending it to the provider, this decision can be contested if you follow the firm’s procedure.
Even though there are a few pet insurance companies that pay directly the vet, most of the times it will be you the one who has to pay the entire vet expenses. Then, you will be reimbursed by the provider with the reimbursement percentage you agreed on (minus the deductible, which is your responsibility).
