{"id":765,"date":"2019-06-18T16:12:13","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T23:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/?p=765"},"modified":"2021-09-01T08:33:54","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T15:33:54","slug":"what-does-pet-insurance-cover-10-things-to-keep-in-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/what-does-pet-insurance-cover-10-things-to-keep-in-mind\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does Pet Insurance Cover? 10 Things to Keep in Mind!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Pets have increasingly become more than just animals. They have taken on more central roles in our homes. Today, they\u2019re more like family members than animals. That shift has brought several other changes, particularly in terms of how much money pet owners spend on their companions, and where those funds go in terms of pet products and services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/petins2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/petins2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/petins2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Surprisingly, or maybe not so much for those who\u2019ve been pet owners for many years, medical procedures and pharmaceuticals now take a bigger bite from our annual budgets than ever before. In fact, a study entitled&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/AnimalHealthIndustryReport_AHI.pdf\">The Economic and Social Contributions of the Animal Health Industry<\/a>&nbsp;found that the average family spent between $9,000 and $13,000 on medical treatments over the life of their pet. According to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/topics\/3317\/pet-insurance-in-north-america\/\">Statista<\/a>, vet care alone in the US generates $18.98 billion per year in sales, with an overall market value of $50.1 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s a significant amount of money &nbsp;&#8212; more than many families can comfortably afford. Pet insurance plans can help to offset the financial burden while ensuring your pet has the quality care and drugs necessary for a happy, comfortable life. However, what does pet insurance cover?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is easier to consider conditions and situations that pet insurance does&nbsp;<em>not<\/em>&nbsp;cover, rather than what a policy will include.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Unexpected<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps the most important consideration when considering insurance coverage for your pet is that these policies are designed to cover the unexpected, rather than the routine. Animal insurance does not work in the same way that health insurance for humans does. It\u2019s more like car insurance in that it only kicks in when there\u2019s an emergency or your pet needs unexpected care and treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What falls under the heading of \u201cunexpected\u201d? What does pet insurance cover, really? With some caveats, a brief rundown would include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Bloat<\/li><li>Poisoning<\/li><li>Cuts<\/li><li>Cancer (not preexisting)<\/li><li>Pets hit by vehicles<\/li><li>Ingesting foreign bodies<\/li><li>Diseases spread by ticks<\/li><li>Prescription medications for treating a covered condition, such as:<\/li><li>Insulin and related supplies<\/li><li>Antibiotics<\/li><li>Eye drops<\/li><li>Ear drops<\/li><li>Allergy medications<\/li><li>Alternative therapies for covered conditions, such as:<\/li><li>Chiropractic care<\/li><li>Acupuncture<\/li><li>Hydrotherapy<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Breeding\/Whelping Related Conditions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When asking what does pet insurance cover, you will find that breeding, pregnancy, and whelping are often excluded. While this depends on the insurance provider in question, most companies exclude any and all related conditions. Pet insurance also typically does not cover the costs of spaying or neutering, but some wellness plans may.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preexisting Conditions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to what does pet insurance cover, you\u2019ll find preexisting conditions on the exclusions list. What counts as a preexisting condition, though? Pet insurance companies all have their own definition, but they tend to be similar in that they usually exclude injuries, illnesses, or conditions with signs or symptoms exhibited within 18 months prior to purchasing the pet insurance policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, some pet insurance providers also exclude specific health conditions that were diagnosed and recur within a year of the last treatment\/diagnosis. These usually include bladder infections, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, and GI tract disorders, among others. Diabetes, cancer, skin lumps, hyper and hypothyroidism and other incurable conditions are usually permanently excluded if a veterinarian has diagnosed your pet with them at any point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bilateral Conditions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A bilateral condition is one that is likely to occur on both sides of your pet \u2013 such as hip dysplasia. Most insurers will only cover bilateral conditions if there is no pre-existing condition component. For instance, if your pet was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and was treated, and you subsequently purchased pet insurance and your pet developed symptoms in the opposite hip, treatment would not be covered. However, most insurers will cover bilateral conditions that have not previously been diagnosed. Still, this varies from insurer to insurer, so be sure to refer to your policy\u2019s specific list of exclusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Abuse-Related Injuries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.avma.org\/KB\/Resources\/Statistics\/Pages\/Market-research-statistics-US-Pet-Ownership-Demographics-Sourcebook.aspx\">American Veterinary Medical Association<\/a>&nbsp;(AVMA\u00ae), 70 million pet dogs and 74.1 million pet cats live in US homes. In homes where domestic abuse occurs, there is a significant chance that the abuser will also target the pet, according to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.humanesociety.org\/resources\/animal-cruelty-facts-and-stats\">Humane Society<\/a>. Pet insurance policies do not cover injuries sustained due to abuse by an owner, or anyone within the owner\u2019s household.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Regular Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking to pet insurance to make regular care for your beloved pet more affordable, you may be in for a surprise. Most pet insurance companies do not cover regular treatments and preventative care. That means your annual vaccines are not covered, nor are regular checkups. As a rule of thumb, ask yourself: is this treatment, vaccine, or vet visit something that is predictable and that could be planned for? If so, chances are good it\u2019s not covered by your pet insurance. Coverage for preventative care and routine check-ups are typically available through separate wellness plans.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Neglect and Cruelty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to determining what does pet insurance cover, you\u2019ll find that injuries, illnesses, and other conditions related to any form of neglect or form of animal cruelty are excluded. This includes any form of animal fighting, such as cockfighting or dogfighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Racing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Animal racing is popular (and legal) in many areas of the country, despite&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.humanesociety.org\/resources\/animal-cruelty-facts-and-stats\">evidence<\/a>&nbsp;that it often leads to situations of neglect, cruelty, and abuse. Injuries, medical conditions, and illnesses that trace back to racing and similar activities are not covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">DNA Testing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.technologyreview.com\/s\/612880\/more-than-26-million-people-have-taken-an-at-home-ancestry-test\/\">DNA tests are incredibly popular<\/a>&nbsp;today, including those designed for pets. They seem like a great way to determine exactly what the genetic makeup of your pet might be. While that can provide you with useful information, you\u2019ll find that your pet insurance policy doesn\u2019t cover the test. You\u2019ll need to pay out of pocket to find out what breeds went into your beloved dog or cat\u2019s background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cosmetic Procedures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Those asking themselves what does pet insurance cover will find that many cosmetic procedures fall on the exclusions list. Unless deemed medically necessary, ear cropping, claw removal, tail docking, and similar procedures are not covered. Note that this also includes other \u201cregular care\u201d items, such as grooming and nail trimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choosing the Right Pet Insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When seeking an answer to the question of what does pet insurance cover, you will need to make an informed comparison of your options. Many pet insurance providers exist, but their covered conditions and exclusions can vary significantly. You may also need to make several other considerations when shopping around for pet insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, if you have an older pet, it might be better to purchase an accident-only plan, particularly if your pet has a pre-existing condition that excludes it from other types of coverage. You might also consider purchasing specific prescription drug coverage plans, or a separate dental care plan. Other pets will benefit more from a standard pet insurance plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When shopping around, make certain to consider other factors beyond what\u2019s covered by the insurer. Think about your premiums, as well as the amount of your deductible. Often, a higher deductible will help reduce monthly premiums, but could you realistically pay that deductible if something were to happen and your pet needed immediate care?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should also determine whether the policy has per-incident limits in place, or if there are other limitations that might limit the plan\u2019s protection for your pet or usability in the case that you need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultimately, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aspcapetinsurance.com\/freedomnational\">pet insurance<\/a> can help you save money on unexpected medical costs for your pet, but it pays to shop around and find the right plan for you and your pet.<\/p>\n\n\nWant to see how affordable pet insurance can be? <a href=\"https:\/\/insurance.freedomgeneral.com\/pet-insurance-quote\/\">Click here<\/a> to use our online quote form to see your savings today.\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a style=\"background-color: #c81f3f; color: #ffffff; font-size: 18px; padding: 10px 40px;\" href=\"https:\/\/insurance.freedomgeneral.com\/pet-insurance-quote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Get a Free Quote<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pets have increasingly become more than just animals. They have taken on more central roles in our homes. Today, they\u2019re more like family members than animals. That shift has brought several other changes, particularly in terms of how much money pet owners spend on their companions, and where those funds go in terms of pet products and services. Surprisingly, or maybe not so much for those who\u2019ve been pet owners for many years, medical procedures and pharmaceuticals now take a bigger bite from our annual budgets than ever before. In fact, a study entitled&nbsp;The Economic and Social Contributions of the <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":766,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v14.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What Does Pet Insurance Cover? 10 Things to Keep in Mind!<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Pet insurance sounds like a good idea, but what does pet insurance cover? 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