Why Do I Need Pet Insurance?

Veterinary care these days can help your pet lead a healthier, longer life because of the advanced diagnostics in finding problems earlier, as well as advanced surgery and drugs that can save pets' lives.

This care isn't without cost. Hospitals like Countryside are constantly investing in new equipment and training so that you and your pet get to spend more time together than ever before.
Pet insurance is about peace of mind: it can help you get the best care for your pet without worrying about the cost. Many of us have health insurance through our employers, but ask yourself: when was the last time you stopped to consider how much the surgery or medications really cost? You pay your deductible and co-pay and you’re on your way.
Your pet can’t ask you for help, but pet insurance can help you plan for the expensive, unexpected curveballs that life throws.  It can enable you to say “yes” to what the veterinarian recommends to make your pet better or healthier. And since you are reimbursed for your expenses, pet insurance is accepted at any hospital, including specialty and emergency hospitals.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

Pet insurance plans are very flexible, although they’re a little bit different from our own health insurance plans. With pet insurance, you can visit any veterinarian in the nation – general, specialist, or emergency – and there are no networks. You pay your vet bill at the time of service and submit a claim to the pet insurance company, which in turn reimburses you directly with a check.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?

Pet insurance plans cost less than your cellphone bill and are typically around $25/month for dogs and a little less for cats. Some plans like Embrace’s are customizable to any budget, and offer major medical options, too, as well as wellness coverage.
Be aware that some plans are less expensive because they offer less coverage. For example, some plans do not cover any genetic or breed-specific problems, and it therefore costs less than an Embrace plan which covers breed-specific illnesses.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Pet insurance plans cover the things you would expect them to:

• Accidents, such as drinking poison, fighting with other animals, vehicle accidents, and so on
• Illnesses, such as infections
• Surgery, hospitalization, anesthesia, and nursing care
• Diagnostic testing such as blood tests, X-rays, MRI, EKG, and ultrasounds

Most pet insurance providers offer optional wellness plans that also cover things like routine vaccinations and checkups, flea & tick medications, dental cleaning, and so on. These wellness plans run from $15 to $25 per month on top of the pet insurance.  There are no deductibles or co-pays, so you get the whole bill back.

Remember that not every plan covers everything. Some plans including Embrace’s also cover:

• Alternative and complementary therapies, such as acupuncture
• Rehabilitation including physical therapy, hydrotherapy, and veterinary orthopedic manipulation
• Genetic and breed-specific illnesses including hip dysplasia, luxating patella, and liver shunts

A Note on Breed-specific Illnesses:
Your dog may be susceptible to particular illnesses known only in a particular breed. For example, dogs such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds can suffer from hip dysplasia, a debilitating joint disease that is fixable with surgery costing several thousand dollars. Most pet insurance plans do not cover these conditions should they occur.
Embrace covers breed-specific conditions and it is one of the main reasons it is our preferred pet insurance plan.

Is There a Best Time to Get Pet Insurance?
Yes, when your pet is between 8 weeks and 4 years old. Enrolling your pet when she’s a puppy or kitten usually results in the best outcome, as there are few if any pre-existing conditions.  Healthy pets up to age 4 or 5 typically have a good experience with pet insurance, as well.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Pre-existing Conditions?
No, it does not for the same reason you can’t get homeowners insurance after your house burns down or auto insurance after you’ve been in an accident.
Pet insurance is the one thing you can’t get when you need it the most; you must plan ahead.

How Much Will I Get Back?
Many pet insurance plans including Pets Best and Embrace reimburse a flat percentage of your veterinary bill, typically 80%. Other plans such as VPI’s reimburse based on a benefit schedule.  This schedule may cover anywhere from 40% to 90% of your bill, but typically less than you’d get back from plans reimbursing a flat percentage.

What Other Options Do I Have?
We understand not every pet can get pet insurance due to various reasons such as pre-existing conditions or age related. In cases such as these you can use a special credit card set aside just for your pet or you can look into plans like Care Credit that will help you get the best care for your pet.
Some pet owners also believe in setting aside a small amount each month for their pet’s health and wellbeing. This is a sound idea if you have the discipline to save. However, understand that your pet isn’t going to wait until you’ve got enough saved up before getting sick, so a savings plan is only for the brave. Some pet insurance companies like Embrace, offer 'accident only plans' for pets of any age.

Which Pet Insurance Plans Does Countryside Recommend?
Our preferred pet insurance plan recommendation is Embrace because it covers breed-specific conditions, allows you to tailor a plan to your pet’s needs, pays a straight percentage of each veterinary bill, and has an easy claims process with prompt turnaround. We also recommend owners visit www.petinsurancereview.com to research and compare many pet insurers and plans available, to find the plan that best meets their needs. Countryside accepts all pet health insurance providers.  It is truly up to the pet owner to choose the company and plan that is right for their pet.