Pets aren’t just companions anymore but a member of your family. Like any member of the family, they can have health issues and those bills can get expensive. This is where Pet Insurance steps in to protect both your budget and your family. You don’t want to be in a situation where you must get a second job or pull money from your savings to pay for your pets unexpected medical bills.

There are two main types of pet insurance offered: Percentage of Invoice and Benefit Schedule.

Percentage of Invoice gives you percentage of the cost of the treatment back and varies depending on the type of treatment.

Benefit Schedule gives you an allowable amount that has a set cap based on the treatment.

There are also tiers within most plans which are usually broken down into emergency only, standard, and comprehensive.

Emergency/catastrophic will provide coverage for surgeries, hospitalizations, chronic conditions, exams, lab tests, etc.,

Standard usually covers preventative visits, routine treatments, vaccinations, etc.

Comprehensive covers the catastrophic, standard, and more.

Emergency coverage is the least expensive while comprehensive can be more costly. Most policies average $20-50 per month with a $500 deductible but it is up to you to determine if the plans that include preventative care are worth the cost or if you should pay out of pocket and use the insurance for catastrophic situations such as emergencies or sudden illnesses.

THERE ARE A FEW IMPORTANT QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK BEFORE PURCHASING A PET INSURANCE POLICY.

Are Exam Fees included?

These costs could add up if you regularly bring your pet to the veterinarian.

Are you penalized if you have a claim?

Like automobile insurance, sometimes the rate increases at renewal when you have a claim. It is important to know if you will be penalized for using the coverage.

Is there an item deductible or a per-incident deductible?

Is there a separate deductible for each treatment, emergency transportation, medication or is there one deductible for the year?

Does it include wellness/preventative?

If you have a pet that has a condition and needs to be treated regularly, does the insurance include wellness/preventative care? For these situations, having this coverage included in the insurance may protect your budget better than paying out of pocket.

Pre-existing conditions?

Does the policy cover or exclude pre-existing conditions? Like health insurance for humans, sometimes any medical treatment related to a pre-existing medical condition is specifically excluded.

Why do you need it?

As members of your family, it’s important to everything you can to help your pet live a long, happy, and healthy life. Unexpected illnesses happen and, as we learn more about our pets, we understand that disease, allergies, and illness can come at any age in any breed whether your pet is pure bred or mixed. You owe it to yourself to do everything in your power to protect your loyal companion.

Is it worth it?

Pet insurance is peace of mind to protect your family without risking your assets, wages, or success. It allows you to rest easy knowing you have a plan for your pet to live the happiest life by your side.

How does it work?

Here’s how the process works:

1. Take your pet for treatment.
2. Pay your Vet bill.
3. Submit a claim to get reimbursed.

At L.H. Brenner, we have researched the best pet insurance carriers and can offer you a free quote to help you get started with protecting your pack. Contact us today to get started!