Pet Insurance- Questions to Ask Before Buying a Pet Policy

There is a monthly cost attached to pet insurance and before you select an insurance plan you need to make sure that it is the right one for you. How do you do that? You do that by asking questions.Here are some questions to keep in mind when going for pet insurance.

• • Does your healthy pet need insurance? – The obvious answer is “yes”. This is the principle behind insurance; paying now so that you don’t have to pay later. Your pet will invariably face some health issues as time passes and pet insurance acts as a buffer against the costs that you will face later on.
  • What will work best for you, a discount plan or a comprehensive plan? – With a discount plan you pay an annual fee and get can avail discounted veterinary services. The type of plan you choose decides the premium payment and very importantly whether you get to choose your own vet.
  • Discounts – Do you get any discounts for enrolling in a particular plan or for insuring more than one pet? This is an important consideration for pet owners with more than one pet. Remember that you may have to pay premiums for a considerable period of time and any discounts that you can avail are worth it.
  • What does the policy cover / not cover? – This depends upon the type of policy and the breed of the animal. The policy may exclude certain pre-existing conditions. Another thing to check is if the pet is covered for accidents when it is traveling with the family. Check if there are any guarantees regarding the coverage. Find out the periodicity for reviewing the policy. Also check if the plan covers prescription medicine, which can often be very costly.
  • When does a plan start and when does it finish? – A plan may start anytime within one day to a fortnight from signing on. The time lag may happen because of a vet examination of your pet.
  • How are the claims processed? – Usually pet insurance claims are processed in the form of reimbursements. You have to first pay the vet and then place a claim either online or via telephone.
  • Is there a helpline? – You can benefit from a 24-hour vet helpline that is present to guide you through incidents that occur over the weekends or at night.