Golden Retriever Training: Aug 10, Pet Insurance -- What You Need To Know

Are you trying to decide if pet insurance is right for you? Is it really necessary for your Golden Retriever?

Do you want to buy health insurance for your pets, but you don't even know where to start looking? Let's see if we can unravel the mystery and point you in the right direction.

Even with your best efforts to keep your dog safe and healthy, unexpected events happen.

Illnesses, accidents, and injuries can happen quickly and without warning.

If your puppy is hit by a car or your dog develops a chronic illness, pet care insurance can help you provide the necessary veterinary help to return your pet to good health.

You won't have to base your decision for treatment on the cost of veterinary care, but rather on providing the best treatment necessary for health and healing.

That also provides considerable peace of mind along with it.

Frankly speaking, pet insurance can be a lifesaver. Preparing for a medical emergency in advance may save you from having to euthanize your dog for financial reasons.

Veterinary medicine has made great strides in pet care over the past several years.

Your vet is now able to perform many diagnostic tests on your dog that used to be just for people.

He can also follow through with treatments and procedures that were previously unavailable to animals.

That's the good news.

The bad news is that such tests and treatments often come with a hefty price tag.

What's a loving pet owner to do?

Many people can't afford state-of-the-art treatment for their beloved pets, especially in today's economy.

That's where pet insurance comes to the rescue, making large unexpected expenses affordable to nearly all pet owners.

Many of us do our shopping online these days. It really is a great place to do your research--if you know what to look for. Here are a few starter questions: How long has the company been around? Is coverage available in my area? Will my pet be covered when we travel? Can we use any veterinarian and clinic? Do they offer multi-dog discounts?
Companies vary considerably in what they'll cover and what they exclude from coverage. Here are some questions to ask: Is there a list of specific diseases excluded from coverage? Are there any breed-specific diseases excluded from coverage? Are there age limitations for my dog? Is there any coverage for dental care? Are prescriptions covered? Can a pre-existing condition ever be covered? Are breeding and pregnancy services covered? Is there coverage for after-hours emergency care? Do they cover any complementary or alternative medicine services (chiropractic, acupuncture, acupressure, homeopathy, massage therapy)? Do they cover routine procedures (flea and tick control, de-worming, spaying and neutering)? Is preventive care covered (i.e. vaccinations, geriatric screening, heartworm testing and preventative)?Policies can also differ from one pet health insurance company to another. Here are some things you should look for in an animal insurance policy: Golden Retriever

What are my coverage options? What are my deductible options? Can they cancel coverage on my dog? Are there annual or lifetime policy limits? Is pre-approval of medical services required? Will my premium increase as my dog gets older? Is there a waiting period before the policy takes effect? Will I be penalized for changing my plan or deductible? Can I get a reimbursement estimate before going ahead with tests and procedures?
Most animal insurance companies require you to pay your veterinarian at the time services are rendered, then file a claim for reimbursement at the rates set by the company.

Some vets will work with you, letting you pay some of your bill now and wait until your insurance reimbursement arrives to pay off the balance.

The process of filing and processing claims can vary considerably from company to company. Here are some questions to ask: How do I file a claim? How long does it take to be reimbursed? Is there a maximum amount paid per incident/year/disease?
Many people think pet insurance is expensive, but that isn't necessarily true. It depends on the type of coverage you're looking for.

Golden Retriever Puppy The average cost of dog insurance is around $25 per month.

The cost varies depending on the breed and age of your dog, where you live, and the amount of coverage you get.

The more comprehensive the coverage you select, the higher the premium will be.

If you want to keep the premium low, opt for accident-only coverage and a high deductible.

Adding illness coverage is the next step up, but it will raise the premium as well.

The most expensive pet plans are those that also cover routine care and wellness visits.

Some companies offer discounts if your dog is microchipped and spayed or neutered.

Once you've narrowed down your choices to the best pet insurance companies that seem to meet your needs, you can usually get health insurance quotes online by going directly to each company's web site.

There's an insurance plan out there to fit the specific needs of your pet and your budget. Just do your homework, and choose wisely.