To improve the health and quality of life of every animal we touch.
Pet Insurance
By Dr. Craig Miller
With advancements in veterinary medicine, specialists, new technologies, new drugs for pets, and inflation, the costs of medical care for your pet continues to rise. There are two ways to prepare for this. One would be to set aside money in your bank account as a pet fund. The second is to consider pet insurance.
Pet insurance is offered by independent companies. You still pay your veterinarian directly when services are performed, but then submit to your carrier the invoice and paperwork to be reimbursed. Be sure to ask the insurance company what is excluded, such as certain diseases in certain breeds. There is also the choice of comprehensive coverage versus accident coverage. It is best to consider coverage when pets are young because most carriers won’t cover pre-existing diseases.
The following comparison table is from Veterinary Forum in April 2007.
Company Enrollment Benefit Limit Insurance Discounts Comments
| Company | Enrollment | Benefit Limit | Insurance/Discounts | Comments |
PetCare
petcareinsurance.com
1-866-275-7387
| 8 weeks-
8 years
| No annual limit | Available with multiple pets | No coverage for preexisting medical service, conditions or sterilization; coverage for cancer |
Pets Best
petsbest.com
1-888-899-0402
| 8 weeks,
No limit
| Lifetime limit of
$99,750
| Available with multiple pets | No coverage of preexisting conditions; coverage for cancer and sterilization with wellness plan addition |
PetsHealth
petshealthplan.com
1-800-807-6724
| Up to 9 years | $13,000/year | Available with multiple pets | Coverage of preexisting conditions after 90 days; sterilization and cancer (on case-case basis) |
ShelterCare
sheltercare.com
1-877-707-7297
| 8 weeks – 8 years | No annual limit | Available with multiple pets | No coverage for preexisting medical service, conditions or sterilization; microchip and coverage for cancer |
Veterinary Pet Insurance
petinsurance.com
1-888-899-4874
| Up to 10 years | $14,000/year | Available with multiple pets | No coverage for preexisting conditions; coverage for cancer and sterilization |
There are other companies out there, such as the ASPCA (www.aspcapetinsurance.com; 1-888-861-9092) which offer plans as well. Trupanion is a newcomer to the US market (from Canada) which requires enrollment by age 1 and covers 90% of sickness and accidents. You can find additional providers online. Our pets provide us so much, and having an insurance policy can help provide peace of mind.