Pet insurance has come a long way in recent years and can be a major benefit to pet owners who want comprehensive coverage for their companion’s medical needs.
Our pets are part of our family, and just like the rest of our family, they need medical care to stay healthy. Eventually, they may need substantial care for more serious conditions. Medical insurance helps to cover the costs associated with human health care, and pet insurance has been improving substantially in recent years to help pet owners take the best possible care of their furry companions by reducing upfront costs.
Emergency Funds
When it comes to covering medical care for our pets, there are a few different options available. Some owners are able to set aside funds regularly for inevitable veterinary bills, but that’s difficult for the majority of pet owners.
Another option is credit cards—you can use a regular card, but there are also veterinary-specific cards that can be used to cover costs more effectively and offer more lenient payment plans. It can be difficult to qualify for these specialty cards, so that can be another issue for some pet owners.
The third and final option is pet insurance. Pet insurance initially developed a bad reputation because many early companies made their systems confusing and difficult to use, along with requiring owners to pay the full cost upfront and only offer a reimbursement after the fact (and sometimes refusing to pay, even for covered services). Over the years, however, more and more reputable insurance companies have begun to develop pet insurance programs meant to benefit owners and make it easier for them to care for their beloved pets—even during serious medical emergencies that produce bills in the thousands or the tens of thousands.
Types of Pet Insurance
The AKC outlines 4 different types of pet insurance.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive policies are exactly how they sound—they cover most or all expenses related to your pet’s veterinary care. These are great for owners who want any issue to be covered by their insurance, from acute and chronic illness to congenital disease, surgeries, and even simple wellness exams.
Accident & Illness
Accident and illness policies only cover these specific issues. Accidental injuries and illnesses (including serious ones, like cancer) are typically covered by an accident and illness policy which makes it a good option for anyone who wants to cover the more expensive treatments but doesn’t need comprehensive coverage to help cover more basic expenses.
Accident Only
Accident policies only cover injuries from accidents such as being injured by a vehicle, falling, or any other accidental injury that requires veterinary treatment.
Pet Wellness
A pet wellness policy focuses coverage on basic expenses such as annual exams, vaccinations, and flea and tick prevention.
Which policy is right for you depends on your pet and your financial circumstances. It’s a good idea to shop around, look into the policies of several different agencies and find the one that works best for you and your pet so that you can keep them healthy and happy without having to turn down necessary treatment due to prohibitive costs. When in doubt, it is always wise to involve your primary care veterinarian for advice and direction in choosing the best option for you and your companion.
Trust Maryland Veterinary Surgical Services With Your Companion’s Health
Your companion’s health is important, and the team at MVSS is ready to provide the best care possible for your furry family. We are dedicated to combining comprehensive exams and assessments with informative and honest discussions of your companion’s care. Once we have worked with you to decide on the best course of action for your dog, our professionals will use their surgical expertise to work towards the goal of giving your companion an active and pain-free life. We are proud to serve loyal companions in Catonsville and Baltimore. To learn more about our services, give us a call at 410-788-4088 or visit us online. For more information and tips for pet health, follow us on Facebook and Pinterest.