Pet Insurance

Overview

Owning a pet is one of the best human experiences anyone can have in life.
However, it is also a massive responsibility, and a lifelong commitment since these innocent creatures need to be taken care of constantly to feel happy and safe.

Just like the people who own them, dogs, cats, and other animals also have healthcare needs.
Treating a pet’s health issue can be costly, as vet clinic visits, exams, surgeries, emergency medical procedures, and veterinary prescription medications do not come cheap.

A health insurance policy for a pet can help cover, either fully or in part, the unexpected costs of veterinary care if the animal becomes ill or injured.
It is purchased by the owner of the pet and may help to prevent, or at least reduce, out-of-pocket expenses, which in some scenarios may quickly add up to thousands of dollars.

From basic to comprehensive nose-to-tail protection, each company offers its own unique plans with different levels of coverage, minimum waiting times before claims can be made, exclusions and deductibles, so each customer can choose the product that best suits his budget and actual needs.

Some of the factors that influence the cost of monthly premiums include the individual pet’s age, breed, where it lives (urban or rural area), what’s included in the policy and what is not.

Consumer Tips: How to Buy Safely and Avoid Pet Insurance Scams Online

Just like any other sector that involves consumers, businesses, and money that switches hands, the pet insurance market also has its fair share of scammers, fraudsters and poor quality providers that operate online and look for potential victims who want to protect their beloved pets.

Some companies use many illegal, dishonest or unethical ways to deny claims arbitrarily, even legitimate ones, in any way they possibly can.
They often use predesigned policy loopholes, vague or misleading clause language or pretexts such as “pre-existing condition” to avoid payment.

In addition, certain insurers process claims slowly or make endless demands for additional information or paperwork to stall the process.
Others impose unrealistic low limits on what they pay per each health issue or offer inferior customer service.

Taking these steps will help you find more credible and reliable companies in this problematic industry:

Read the Policy

Know what you are buying and from whom – before you buy it.
Some policies are great while some do not worth the paper they are printed on.
Some companies provide great coverage while some provide almost nothing.

Don’t let the vague term “pet insurance” blind you and carefully read all the terms to evaluate the quality of any plan.

Investigate the Pet Insurance Provider’s BBB Record

Check the company’s record on the Better Business Bureau’s website.
What you’ll find there, will help you evaluate whether it’s a legitimate business that deserves your money and trust or if you must look elsewhere.

Look for current BBB rating, customer reviews, complaints, warnings and alerts on their business profile.
Also, learn how long it has been in business – a potential indicator of experience and reputation.

If the company is not even listed with the BBB, this is a very bad sign.
On the other hand, if the pet insurer is certified as a BBB Accredited Business, it’s an important positive signal.

Pay Close Attention to Red Flags

Learn how to protect yourself better when ordering goods and services on the internet, to avoid scammers and keep safe in general.
Knowing how to check if a website is legitimate or not is the first line of defense.