Home Topics Dog CareCanine Pet Insurance

Canine Pet Insurance

Canine pet insurance can help dog owners offset some of the costs of veterinary care for their pets. Pet insurance offers assistance with office visits, procedures, surgeries and even vaccinations for dogs, depending on the type of plan you get.

Some canine pet insurance companies pay your veterinarian directly for services, while others require you to pay up front and submit a form for reimbursement of the costs. In most cases, dog owners must still pay a deductible, or a small percentage, of the costs of the procedure or office visit.

Pet Insurance Benefits

Having pet insurance for your dog can help you from having to make difficult decisions if your pet's health care costs get too high. Putting a dog to sleep because you can't afford veterinary care is never an easy or painless decision.

With pet insurance, you can avoid decisions like these for a low monthly fee. Dog insurance provides owners with peace of mind. Also, dog owners with canine insurance are more likely to catch health problems earlier, as they do not avoid visiting the veterinarian due to fear of costs.

Many surgeries and emergency procedures on dogs can cost thousands of dollars, so it's important for dogs owners to seriously consider dog health insurance.

Canine Insurance Considerations

When choosing a canine insurance plan, there are a few things dog owners should consider:

Check whether or not your plan offers coverage on pre-existing conditions your dog may have.
Compare costs of different canine insurance plans.
If the plan is for a specific period of time, make sure you are aware of any possible cancellation fees or fees involved with changing your policy.
Look into how the coverage works: Does the insurance company pay your veterinarian directly for service, or will you have to pay up front and file a form for reimbursement?
Look into whether or not the plan offers coverage for non-emergency procedures (such as spaying or neutering).
Make sure you choose a company that allows you to visit any veterinarian that you'd like, or at least check that your preferred veterinarian is included in the plan.
Make sure you choose a reputable company that has been in business for a long period of time. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations.
Make sure you know whether or not your plan covers routine veterinary visits and preventative care.

Just as it's important for people to have health insurance, it's important to look out for your pet's health and wellness with insurance. Monthly fees are generally minimal for canine health insurance, and these small fees can save you thousands in the long run. Peace of mind is a great benefit of canine health insurance.

If you don't know where to start looking for an insurance plan for your dog, ask your vet. Your veterinarian can help you choose a good canine health insurance plan and can recommend reputable companies and companies that he works with.

Resources

VPI Pet Insurance (2007). Pet Health Insurance. Retrieved October 22, 2007, from the VPI Web site: http://www.petinsurance.com/.

VPI Pet Insurance (2007). Pet Insurance Buyer's Guide. Retrieved October 22, 2007, from the VPI Web site: http://www.petinsurance.com/facts/buyers-guide.cfm? a=C84AAAD1-D2C5-6F0F-7358FB8ECD89DA25&b=C84AAAE1-EC89-20F4 -000E91EA979E0326&c=C84AAAF1-BC43-FE1F-643590394AECB180.

Other Topics in this Section

Add a Comment

Print this Article

Email to a Friend