About Pet Health Insurance in Canada
You purchase pet health insurance to protect yourself from the unexpected costs of a pet's illness or injury. Your premium is paid just like any other form of insurance (monthly or annually) and you decide what company you want to use to purchase it. There are seven pet health insurance providers in Canada -- PetCare, Vetinsurance, Petsecure, PurinaCare CA, PC Financial, Hbc, and Petplan Canada.
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How it works
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There is no public health system in Canada that covers pets. When yours gets sick, has a serious medical condition or is injured, the costs are 100% yours. Petsecure, one of Canada's oldest and largest insurance providers, states that pet insurance is like health insurance for your pet. You choose your coverage and pass through a waiting period. After you visit your veterinarian, you submit the bill to your insurer and you're paid directly.
Types of policies
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Most pet health insurers in Canada also operate in the U.S., and may cover you if you have to unexpectedly take your pet to an American veterinarian. Pet health policies typically only cover dogs and cats. Your policy will usually contain a deductible. Prices will vary depending the age and breed of your pet. Typically, you're covered for injuries from accidents, tests and medications, dental and general preventative care.
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Benefits
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Veterinary costs can be very expensive. According to PetCare, injuries a dog suffers in a motor vehicle accident typically cost $4,890, cancer treatments are $3,577, and for cats, a fractured leg is $2,309 and pneumonia is $1,900. Pet insurance may not cover these costs in full, however. It all depends on how much you want to pay. The more costly your pet's plan, the more it will cover when something happens.
Exclusions
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Most of the exclusions in pet insurance are no different to those you would find in a health insurance policy. QuickCare Insurance, for instance, excludes any pre-existing medical problems, including those that occur during the 21 day waiting period for illness coverage. Your policy might also exclude genetic or hereditary conditions. All exclusions are explicitly outlined.
How to make a claim
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Pet Insurance Review explains that unlike human health insurance, you must pay your veterinarian out of pocket, then file a claim for reimbursement. You will need original invoices. You should contact your company immediately after any pet treatment, as most policies require you claim within a set time period. You'll have to fill out a claims form and submit it to your insurer.
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References
- Photo Credit pet dog image by NorthShoreSurfPhotos from Fotolia.com
