For most people, pets are more like family. Anyone with a pet is usually ready to go above and beyond to ensure that their pooch is well-taken care of. Whether it is ensuring that they get the best medical attention for them or being prompt in ensuring that they are quickly attended to when injured. In addition to the normal routine check-ups, there might be a need to visit the vet’s office in case of a more serious reason. If you have a pet you should consider getting pet insurance to help with the high medical costs. While searching for appropriate pet insurance, the following are some of the tips to consider.

The Kind of Policy

The biggest mistake that pet owners make is buying the first insurance they land. If you want the best for your pet, then you have to find a policy that has the most comprehensive coverage. Look out for lifetime policies as they are the best options. This kind of policy covers illnesses and conditions that your pet might undergo. As long as the policy is active, then the pet is covered. 

If you want cheaper policies, then you can opt for other ‘non-lifetime’ and ‘accident only’ policies, but on the downside, they will offer less coverage than the lifetime options. However, you shouldn’t have to worry if your pet is young and energetic with great health. Also, if you don’t have the money to pay for a lifetime policy, they would be a great option for saving costs.

Cover for Pre-existing Conditions

A lot of pet insurance policies don’t provide coverage for pre-existing conditions. This can be frustrating for individuals who own pets with pre-existing conditions. Perhaps you already had an insurance cover at the time your pet contracted a condition. If you wish to take out another policy, then there are chances it could be considered a pre-existing condition. This could mean that the pet wouldn’t be covered. So before buying a policy, check if it provides a cover for pre-existing conditions.

Dental Coverage Inclusions

Another thing that pet owners tend to forget is dental coverage. As such, it is important to check if it is included when looking for an appropriate insurance cover for your pet. Some policies are quite comprehensive, but others only provide dental cover in case of an accident. While some covers don’t entirely include a dental cover, they offer alternatives like add-on wellness plans that also have dental care. 

Available Exclusions

Before you take out a pet insurance policy, it is important to read its fine print. There might be a couple of exclusions included, one of the most common being pre-existing conditions. Some of the things that might not be included are worm and flea treatments, spaying and neutering, pregnancy complications, and even vaccinations. Your costs might also increase because of optional wellness plans, which are also important to consider. 

A good policy would also include emergency boarding. This is to help in instances where something happens to you and you are incapable of caring for your pet. Think of your pet should anything unforeseen happen to you.

Check for a Third-party Liability Cover

Pet expenses come in different ways. From food, vet bills, toys, and other costs such as insurance. Even when buying a pet insurance policy, one of the easiest things to overlook is what happens when your pet causes injury to someone else or if they damage another person’s property. That is why it is important to check for a third-party liability cover when buying pet insurance. 

While the costs might not seem very important, they might total up to a large amount that you never expected. If your pet injures someone else, you might end up paying thousands of dollars to cater to the bill. And the worst part is that you will have to pay it out of pocket if you do not have money saved for such a circumstance. For an unexpected cost, that may really put you in a bind.

That’s where third-party liability cover comes into play. It ensures that a huge unplanned bill you have is covered. On the downside, your pet might not qualify for such a policy if they have, in the past, been involved in a dangerous incident, so be sure to answer such questions if asked. 

Know What Happens After Making a Claim

Pet owners are not allowed to make claims between the first 10-14 days after the insurance policy is taken out. In any case there is a need to claim the policy, then the individual might be forced to pay extra costs. This might eventually make the insurance premiums more expensive in the preceding year when renewal is being made.