How to Compare Pet Insurance
When you shop for pet insurance, it's important to get several quotes and compare them. Just like health insurance for humans, different pet insurers offer different policies--at very different prices. Most companies offer quotes over their websites, making it easy to compare the policies they offer.
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Things You'll Need
- Pet insurance quotes
- Contact information for your state's insurance licensing agency
Instructions
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Shop Around for the Best Pet Insurance
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Look at a minimum of three quotes to get a good idea of the differences between companies. The price of pet insurance can vary greatly between companies, depending on what the policy covers.
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Check each policy to make sure it it covers all your pet's medical needs. If you need a policy that covers checkups, make sure the policy in question covers wellness visits. Most insurers have options to add certain kinds of scheduled care, like dental cleanings, to a policy.
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Consider the age of your pet before deciding on a policy. If your pet is older, most insurance companies will charge you higher rates while reducing your pet's coverage.
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Take into account any medical care and procedures you are anticipating for your pet. If your pet is young, you may need to find an insurance policy that covers spaying or neutering.
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Go over each policy's list of exclusions to make sure that your pet will be able to get any and all needed care. Exclusion lists, which differ from policy to policy, include illnesses as well as types of treatment.
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Look for the license: Make sure your preferred insurer is licensed to sell insurance in your state. Each company should clearly list this information on its website. You can also call the insurer's office to ask. Double-check their credentials with your state's insurance licensing agency if you have any lingering doubts.
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Tips & Warnings
While an insurer's claims process may not be an issue for everyone, it can be a deciding factor for some pet owners. Many pet insurance companies expect their clients to pay all bills at the time of care and then fill out claims forms to send in with the appropriate receipts.
Insurance quotes may not take preexisting or hereditary conditions into account. If you see a major discrepancy when you compare quotes, check with each insurance company to see if these factors were considered.
There may be significant differences between the quotes you receive online and the actual cost of the pet insurance plan you choose. Variables that can change the cost of your plan include your pet's age, medical history and status as an indoor, outdoor or indoor/outdoor animal.
