How to Get Pet Life Insurance

Pet life insurance isn't the same as human life insurance. If your pet is covered when it dies, you will not receive any kind of payout. Instead, pet life insurance covers the costs associated with the end of a pet's life, such as cremation. Some policies can also include benefits for the owner, such as bereavement counseling.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Get Pet Life Insurance to Prepare for a Worst-Case Situation

1. Go over your current pet insurance policy to see if your coverage includes end-of-life benefits. If it does, it is unlikely that you need to buy additional life insurance.

2. Search online to find a pet life insurance provider licensed to sell insurance in your state. If you are not sure if the insurer is licensed for your state, you can usually get that information from your state's licensing agency.

3. Request quotes from the companies with policies that meet your needs. Most insurers provide online quotes that are available immediately. You can also get quotes over the phone.

4. Compare all the insurance quotes that you receive. Consider the benefits available as well as whether the plan is affordable. You should also think about whether you or your pet may have special needs and make sure those needs are met by any policy you choose.

5. Buy the policy you have chosen. Most companies will offer you the option of purchasing online or over the phone. Your actual cost may not match the quoted price, because quotes are usually based on only limited information.

Tips & Warnings

• If you already have pet insurance, you may not need pet life insurance. Call your provider or read over your existing plan to see whether or not your current policy covers end-of-life costs.

• You can often get a discount if you have life insurance policies from the same company for multiple pets.

• Your vet may be able to recommend a local insurance provider.

• Some pet insurance companies offer pet life insurance but do not list it on their websites. If you have a preferred pet insurance company, you may want to call it and ask specifically about life insurance.

• Many insurers recommend against pet life insurance for very young dogs.

• Only a few pet insurance companies offer pet life insurance. Of those that do provide it, most limit their policies to cats and dogs.

• Pet life insurance policies do not typically include coverage that covers the purchase of a new pet.

• The cost of pet life insurance can vary greatly with your pet's age.