"Some people like to have plans that cover everything including routine preventative care. "Some people budget for their pets' annual exams, vaccines, medications, and dentistry needs and are looking more for coverage in case of an unexpected large emergency," Joslin says. If you have the funds to cover unexpected costs (just not thousands and thousands of them), an accident-only plan may work. If you have little in savings, for instance, you'll want a plan that's more comprehensive - likely one that covers both accidents and injuries (and maybe even prevention). Understanding your budget for veterinary costs, as well as what expected costs you might come across with your pet, is important as you shop for insurance, too. Costco members, for example, can use their membership to purchase certain pet insurance plans. If you're a part of any groups or organizations, explore possible options through there, too. Some breeders, larger shelters, and AKC registration now include a free or low-cost introductory pet insurance offer to get you started." As Joslin explains, "Any time you get a new pet in your family, it's worth investigating pet insurance. You might also be able to purchase policies through the organization you found your dog. "Often young dogs are the ones that end up in the emergency room with ingested foreign bodies or dog bite wounds from a play date at the park gone wrong." "Don't think because your dog is young that he won't need insurance," Joslin says. Younger dogs and more active ones are important to insure early and thoroughly, too, as they're often more prone to injury than other animals. You'll need to shop carefully to ensure your policy will extend to the issues you can expect - and get coverage early before those conditions can develop. Knowing the issues your pet may be prone to develop is critical when shopping for a policy, as many will exclude certain conditions. It is a good idea to look into pet insurance any time you are considering a new pet and research the breed and associated general health and medical conditions." "With the rise in popularity of breeds such as Frenchies, English bulldogs, and pugs, many owners find themselves spending a lot of time and money at the veterinarian due to some breed-related medical conditions. "Pet insurance may be more valuable for certain breeds, but often it is also more expensive to purchase," Joslin says. Some breeds, for example, are predisposed to certain medical conditions, while others are more prone to injury. As Antje Joslin, veterinarian for Dogtopia, explains, "What coverage is right for your dog varies widely based on their breed, age, health." Understanding your dog's unique nuances can help you get the best coverage for them, too. "However, given the rising and often astronomical costs of emergency veterinary care, I still believe insurance in older pets has some value - and I'd discourage pet parents from cancelling existing policies in older patients just because they seem healthy." "As dogs age and their medical histories become more complex, premiums go up and coverage goes down," says Rebecca Greenstein, veterinary medical advisor at Rover. While premiums can be higher, pet insurance may still save you significant cash should an emergency occur. "There is no certain age where it is too late, but premiums increase with age and many things may not be covered for an older dog with previously documented health issues," Whittenburg says.ĭon't let that discourage you, though, if you have an older dog. At 5.5 years old, though, the premium jumps to $47.94 - $9.43 more per month and $113.16 more per year. According to Pawlicy Advisor, a pet insurance marketplace, the average premium for a six-month-old puppy in Texas is $38.51 per month. Your timing can have a big influence on what you pay for your pet insurance policy, too, as premiums go up considerably with age.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |