Insurance For Your Pets by Mark Alison

Taking your dog, cat, bird, or any other beloved family pet to a veterinarian, especially in an emergency, can be extremely costly. A pet insurance plan can help by insuring that this special family member is covered in the case of emergencies, illnesses, accidents, even regular treatments and prescriptions.

As with anything else, pet insurance can be very expensive. It's important to understand that the cheapest pet insurance plan may not be the best. Much like buying coverage for people, what constitutes the "best" will depend on what is important to you. For some people, getting a policy that provides "catastrophic coverage" is all they want. The main purpose is that if something were to occur like a serious injury, debilitating illness, etc., then the owner would be covered for the high vet bills, hospitalization, or treatment. This coverage comes at a price. The higher the coverage, the higher the premiums and / or deductibles will be. And as with "people" plans, the specifics of what is covered, what isn't, the coverage period, and other aspects must be thoroughly understood. That said, health care coverage for your pet doesn't have to break the bank. Some questions you should ask before committing to a policy include:

Should I get a pet insurance plan now, or wait until my pet is older?
Can I use licensed veterinarian worldwide or do I have to use only certain doctors?
Is there a list of vet's that are covered, and are there any nearby?

Do I have to pay at the time of my pets visit or service, and is there a co-payment?
Once I get my policy, how long is it before I can use any of the covered services?

Generally speaking, health coverage is much cheaper than it is for humans, and depending on the type of pet and the type and amount of insurance, can be as low as $15-$30 per month. It's important to realize though that just as with people, "pre-existing conditions" usually aren't covered. That doesn't mean you can get a policy for your cat, or dog, or for that matter your horse, ferret, exotic bird, snake, or any other animal if it already has some medical problems, but rather that your pet insurance plan won't cover that particular condition, it's symptoms, or any associated treatments.

Insurance is one way animal lovers can protect themselves and these members of their family, and help avoid compounding any health problems with exorbitant medical bills. And just as you would if you were shopping for your self, loved ones, or family, you want to be careful in choosing the medical insurance, the insurance company, the coverage, the costs and / or premiums, and your options for treatment and care in the event that you have to take advantage of your insurance. But the peace of mind and potential savings can make a tremendous difference, whether you ever have to use it or not!