Protecting the smallest member of your family: A step-by-step guide to pet insurance
By Burke Jones
Let’s face it – Fido and Fluffy are an important part of your family. Do you want to have to assign a dollar value to them if they become sick or injured?

That may well be the case if you don’t have pet health insurance. Rising veterinary costs mean that pet owners can pay hundreds – and even thousands – of dollars for their pets’ health problems. As the bills stack up, uninsured pet owners must determine how much they are willing to spend on their animal friend. It can be a heartbreaking decision to make.

Much like insurance for health, cars and homes, helps people put a little money away now to avoid a major payout later. Coverage and cost vary, so it’s important to thoroughly research the options if you decide to insure your pet.

Step one: Determine if is Right for You

When people decide to get a pet, they often don’t consider how they will deal with the inevitable unexpected illnesses or accidents. Keeping a pet indoors by no means eliminates all the hazards. They can still swallow foreign objects, ingest a poison or injure themselves. As well, living indoors does not make a pet immune to disease and infection – particularly those that are common to their breed. Pets with access to the outdoors have even more opportunities to pick up a disease or get hurt.

Don’t have a dog or cat? Insurance companies are starting to offer plans that meet the needs of a variety of pet owners. Some now offer coverage for birds and exotic animals.

Not all owners are good candidates for pet insurance, however. is ideal for owners who deeply love their pets and are willing to spend a significant amount of money to keep them healthy and extend their life. They buy their cherished companions the best food and care they can afford, sometimes even putting their pets’ needs before their own. For this type of owner, can be a smart investment that can prevent considerable costs and bring peace of mind.

Pet insurance is not a good investment for owners who don’t have a strong emotional tie to their pet. Owners who would rather have their pets euthanized than spend money on vet bills are not good candidates for pet insurance.

Step two: Decide What Type of Coverage You Want

Most pet owners will weigh two main considerations when shopping for pet insurance: budget and coverage. Peace of mind can also be an important factor, but far more difficult to quantify.

Pet health insurance is still relatively new in the United States and Canada, so the options available are fewer than for other forms of insurance. That said, North American pet owners can choose from a variety of coverage choices, ranging from injury/accident-only to all-inclusive.

As with all insurance products, the cost of increases as the coverage improves. As a pet owner, you must decide what is

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the right balance between affordability and the care you want for your pet.

- Coverage
When choosing coverage, first consider what kind of insurance customer you are. Do you prefer all-inclusive coverage that pays for everything from routine checkups and vaccinations to accidents and chronic illnesses, or are you comfortable with a lesser degree of coverage that just kicks in during emergencies? Perhaps you prefer a flexible plan that offers discounts on a wide range of services, from veterinary care to training. This decision will lay the groundwork for your final choice.

Some issues to consider:

* Make sure to check for coverage of pre-existing conditions as well as breed-specific genetic ailments, such as hip dysplasia for large dogs. Some plans refuse to cover these conditions.

* Some plans place limits on annual, per-incident, per-illness or lifetime costs.

* How old is your pet? Coverage usually starts at eight weeks, but some plans won’t cover pets over a certain age (usually between six and 10 years old, depending on the breed, type of animal and other factors).

- Cost
As opções do pagamento para incluem taxas ou deductibles e/ou co-pagamentos lisos. Não surprisingly, as plantas com prêmios mensais mais baixos vêm com deductibles mais elevados e/ou co-pagamentos maiores.

Algumas edições a considerar:

* Os prêmios de seguro são afetados pela idade, pela saúde e pela raça de seu animal de estimação, as well as o tipo de animal.

* Discontos das ofertas de algumas plantas para animais de estimação múltiplos.

* As plantas requerem geralmente clientes pagar primeiramente a conta do vet e submeter então recibos para o reembolso.

* Encontrar para fora se os prêmios de seguro aumentarem como suas idades do animal de estimação.

* Dependendo da planta que você escolhe, os prêmios mensais pode variar menos de de $10 a aproximadamente $40.

Etapa três: Escolher um segurador

Você determinou o que você pode ter recursos para gastar e a quantidade de cobertura você quer.

Antes de selecionar um segurador, estão aqui algumas considerações finais:

* Fazer uma lista de suas perguntas e prioridades adiantado. Certificar-se responder fora ou verificar a cada artigo ao rever opções da planta.

* Pesquisar o segurador completamente. Rever seus Web site e materiais das vendas, ler seus testimonials, falar a outros proprietários do animal de estimação e procurar revisões em linha. Quanto tempo a companhia estêve no negócio? Seus clientes são satisfeitos? Certifica-se você sensação confortável sobre tudo você para ouvir-se ou ler.

* Comparar a programação do benefício de planta com as taxas do seu vet para determinar a que grau a planta cobrirá os custos reais do tratamento.

* Encontrar para fora como rapidamente a companhia de seguro reembolsa pagamentos da reivindicação dos clientes' e se tiver fins do prazo da reivindicação.

* Ler a cópia fina. Certifica-se você completamente para compreender mais importante os benefícios e, as limitações de planta. Se algo não estiver desobstruído, pedir - e começar a resposta na escrita. Se não, você pôde encontrá-lo não tem a cobertura que você necessita se um acidente ocorrer.

* Começar uma lima para seu animal de estimação. Usá-lo para todos os recibos e paperwork do seguro assim que você pode manter-se no alto de suas reivindicações e para certificar-se você maximizing seu investimento do seguro.

Sua responsabilidade como um proprietário do animal de estimação não termina com alimento, abrigo e afeição. O seguro de saúde do animal de estimação pode dar ao membro o menor de sua família um uma vida mais longa e mais saudável - e fornecê-lo com mais hora de apreciar o amor que incondicional lhe oferece assim disposta.
Burke Jones é um contribuinte freqüente à escrita do depósito da saúde do animal de estimação sobre o seguro do cão e a medicina do gato.

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