Pet Insurance Buying Guide
Pet insurance can help offset the costs of care for your beloved family pets. It’s designed to cover medical expenses for accidental injuries like bite wounds and toxic ingestions as well as illnesses such as diabetes and arthritis. It can also help with burial services if your beloved pet passes away. While it’s not necessary for everyone, it can be a valuable tool for new pet parents or those concerned about the high cost of care.
In order to get a quote or file a claim you’ll be taken to the websites of either Embrace or Trupanion (both are not owned by GEICO). These companies will have their own privacy policies posted on their sites that you should review before proceeding. Your personal information will only be shared with those companies in accordance with their policies.
Insurance companies will typically request your pet’s medical history and may perform a veterinary exam before providing coverage. They will also likely set a deductible and co-insurance amount for the policy. These terms can vary significantly, as will annual payout limits. Some pet owners choose to pay a higher deductible in order to keep their premium lower, while others prefer a lower deductible in exchange for a higher coverage limit.
When selecting a plan, there are many factors to consider including the size of your pet, breed and age (as some diseases/illnesses have a predisposition to certain breeds). The area in which you live will also impact the average veterinary costs.
You’ll want to select a plan that includes coverage for hereditary conditions. Some pet owners find this coverage to be invaluable, as it can cover the costs of treatment for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia, heart disease, and intervertebral disk disease. Some pet insurance providers only offer this coverage as an add-on, however, so make sure to check with your insurer for details.
It’s also important to find a provider that offers flexible payment options as well as a low deductible or co-insurance. Additionally, look for a provider that allows you to customize the plan for your specific pet needs and budget.
Lastly, be sure to read reviews and compare pricing before making a decision. There are a number of online education centers dedicated to pet insurance that can provide unbiased evaluations of policies, companies and coverage levels.
Pawlicy Advisor is a free analysis tool that provides pet parents with personalized results, custom comparison charts and ranked based on breed-specific health risks and lifetime pricing – all in one place! You can use our site to pick the best plan from the start, or as your pet grows older and needs change, you can use our analysis tool to see what other plans are available. Then, if you decide to switch providers, the process is simple and you can do it at your next renewal. If you have any questions, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you! 2019 GEICO Insurance Agency LLC. All rights reserved.