Pet Insurance

By Mike Clark

There is a big difference between an insurance plan and a wellness plan. Make sure you know the difference before you invest your money in one. When a dog passed away, the owner was surprised that she had to keep paying for her dog's wellness plan after the death of the pet.

By DogTime

Among other benefits, California’s A.B. 2056 gives pet owners a 30-day trial period during which they can drop a pet-insurance policy for a full refund.

By dogtime

How does pet insurance work?

By dogtime

When on a limited budget I recommend consideration of the following:

By dogtime

If you're reading this article, you've probably got an older dog. And if you've got an older dog, you should probably consider pet insurance.

By dogtime

As a veterinarian, I think pet health insurance is an important issue to should discuss, and I’ve done a fair amount of research into this issue over the course of the last few years. In general, I’d say that the vast majority of veterinarians are favorably disposed to the idea of pet health insurance. In […]

By dogtime

Every year, more than one in three pets will fall ill or get injured. And although veterinarians can do amazing things, the fact remains that an unplanned surgery or a trip to the emergency room can run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars in a very short amount of time. But many of us […]

By dogtime

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably got an older dog. And if you’ve got an older dog, you should probably consider pet insurance. If you don’t have it, you’re not alone. Only 3% of pet owners have pet insurance, according to the American Animal Hospital Association, which seems astonishingly low when you consider that […]

By dogtime

Even when they’re healthy, pets are expensive. The cost of food, training, collars, and flea preventatives, not to mention extras like toys and clothing, adds up fast. And in a tough economy, it’s even more important to spend your money wisely. We asked Dr. Nancy Kay, author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your […]

By dogtime

Every year, more than one in three pets will fall ill or get injured. And although veterinarians can do amazing things, the fact remains that an unplanned surgery or a trip to the emergency room can run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars in a very short amount of time. But many of us […]

By dogtime

As a veterinarian, I think pet health insurance is an important issue to should discuss, and I’ve done a fair amount of research into this issue over the course of the last few years. In general, I’d say that the vast majority of veterinarians are favorably disposed to the idea of pet health insurance. In […]

By dogtime

How does pet insurance work? In many ways, pet insurance plans aren’t much different from what’s available for humans. Most cover accident and/or illness, and some have preventive medicine options available as well. They all have a deductible, and all have exclusions for certain preexisting or breed-common conditions. Be sure to read the fine print. […]

By Dr. Jack Stephens

Question: Why don't insurance companies offer coverage for pre-existing conditions? Answer: Insurance is purchased for future unknown medical events. If pre-existing conditions were covered, everyone would simply wait until there was a medical need they could not afford. It would be similar to waiting until you have an accident to buy auto insurance. The good […]

By Dr. Jack Stephens

Question: Is pet insurance only worth having if my dog develops a serious disease or has to have major surgery? Answer: Actually, most claims for pets are small, in the $250-$500 range. Everyday medical problems and accidents, such as sprains, ear infections, and GI upsets cause a lot of frequent, but not too costly, expenses. […]

By Phil Zeltzman

Question: What are the cons of pet insurance? Answer: Obviously, you need to pay for pet insurance premiums, just like any other policy. You also need to be able to pay for vet services upfront, and be (partially) reimbursed later. There are exclusions, depending on the plan, such as older pets, some congenital and genetic […]

By Phil Zeltzman

Question: What are the pros of pet insurance? Answer: Most plans include basic medical plan coverage, which helps with diagnostic tests, treatments, office visits, lab fees, prescriptions, hospitalization, X rays, and surgical procedures. Pet insurance is not at all like people insurance: Typically, you can go to any vet, at any time. The vet will […]

By Nancy Kay

Question: Pet insurance plans used to have the reputation for not covering many conditions you'd want them to. Have things changed? Answer: In the past, most interactions with pet insurance companies were time consuming and frustrating. It seemed that they worked hard to find ways to avoid paying claim reimbursements. Today, things certainly are not […]

By Nancy Kay

Question: What factors should I consider before buying pet insurance? Answer: Here are some things to consider when thinking about pet insurance. What are your financial resources? If an emergency illness or accident occurred could you pay for your dog’s recovery? Are you inclined to take the “do-everything-possible approach” when it comes to your dog’s […]

By Ernest Ward

Question: Why should I consider purchasing pet insurance? Answer: Insurance is primarily for two things: the unexpected and the expensive. Too often I see clients confronted with the dilemma of whether or not they can afford a specialist for a serious and unexpected medical condition. If only they had insurance! The key is to get […]

By Dr. Jack Stephens

Question: I had my pet insured a few years ago and ended up cancelling my policy because I had to pay the vet upfront and wait too long to receive my claim reimbursement.  Have there been any improvements in this process? Answer: There have been huge improvements in terms of claim reimbursement timeframes. Most pet […]