Saturday, March 14, 2009

Why your Pet Needs Pet Health Care Insurance

Our pets are so important to our lives. Whether it be a dog, cat, bird or turtle we love our pets and want to provide them with the best care we can.

Veterinary care is so important to your pet's well being. Even healthy pets need veterinary care, whether it's just a routine vaccination, annual checkup or dental care. At some point your pet may need additional care such as emergency treatment or even surgery. Fortunately, pet health insurance is available to help you offset the cost of those veterinary expenses that could otherwise become a financial burden.

What is pet health insurance?

Pet health insurance covers the cost of veterinary bills should your pet become ill or need treatment. There are a wide variety of pet health insurance plans available, so it should be easy to find one that will suit both your needs and budget. Carefully review and compare plans, as they can vary significantly. For example, some plans offer you the freedom to choose your own veterinarian, while others require you to visit a doctor within their network similar to human health insurance policies.

How does pet health insurance work?

Most pet health insurance policies are simple, and usually follow this standard procedure:

-Take your pet to the veterinarian's office for a routine checkup or emergency care.
-Pay the bill at the time of your visit.
-Submit a claim to your pet health care insurance company.
-Receive reimbursement.

Reimbursement amounts vary by company and policy type, but after your deductible is met, most pet health insurance plans cover approximately 80% of the veterinary expenses.

Make sure you do your research before buying pet health insurance for your pet. Some companies don't cover certain "pre-existing" conditions and you want to be sure to know what is covered and what is excluded for your pet.