We all love our four-legged family members, but it can be very expensive to care for them. Insurance for pets is similar to health insurance for people in that there are a variety of companies, plans and levels of coverage to choose from. Despite the growth in the number of plans, many pet owners don’t have insurance. Here’s what to consider if you’re thinking about getting insurance for your pet.
WHAT IS PET INSURANCE AND WHAT DOES IT COVER?
Pet insurance is a health plan that covers specific medical exams and treatments. Each company has a distinct plan and coverage options that vary. Among the most common plans are Nationwide, ASPCA, Embrace and Fetch.
A sample pet insurance policy can range anywhere from $11 to $70 a month, depending on the animal’s species, breed, age, pre-existing conditions and where you live, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The cost of coverage also depends on the level of care you choose, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Basic coverage includes accidental injuries and illness, but not cancer; comprehensive office visits, diagnostic tests, X-rays, lab fees and prescriptions; and wellness care would provide reimbursement for preventative care, including vaccinations.
Kimberly Schwartz, DVM, a vet at Country Animal Hospital in Old Bridge, says there are a good number of insured pets who come into her office, but often are not covered for exams or routine visits. Schwartz notes spaying and neutering are often not covered. Most insurance companies will pay for issues related to a birth defect but won’t cover a preexisting condition. That’s why it’s important to buy insurance before any issues are noted by the vet.
DO YOU NEED INSURANCE?
In theory, you should get insurance for things you can’t afford, such as an unexpected illness, an accident like getting hit by a car or needing surgery because your pet swallowed something, Schwartz says. If you can afford $200 per year for checkups and vaccines, let’s say, she says insurance doesn’t have to be a priority; versus spending $500 for bloodwork because a cat is in kidney failure or $2,000 on a surgery to remove a squeaker toy.
“You need insurance for the unexpected,” she says. “It’s like health insurance or life insurance—you hope you never need to use it, you hope it’s a waste of money, but if you ever need it it’s good to know it’s there.” She likened it to the difference between spending, for example, $30 a month on health insurance or paying off a $2,000 credit card bill. “It’s never wrong to have your insurance as a backup plan,” she says.
If you buy a policy, it’s important to purchase it as early on as possible so the rates are low and health issues are not declined, Schwartz says. The bottom line: If you get insurance later in a pet’s life, the insurance company is more likely to classify most issues as preexisting and not cover them. “Decide when they’re younger if you’re going to get it. The premium is more expensive when they’re older because they are more likely to get sick or they are more prone to accidents,” she says.
Marlboro resident Randi Colatrella welcomed her purebred English bulldog, Tank, four years ago. Encouraged by her mother and sister who had pet insurance, Colatrella purchased a plan before she brought Tank home. She chose both a wellness plan and an injury/illness plan through Nationwide. “I wanted to make sure that we had insurance right from the start,” she says.
Colatrella says this was a great idea, in retrospect, because Tank has had numerous ear, eye and tail infections (prior to his tail removal), infections on his feet, allergies and was hospitalized for pneumonia. Colatrella jokes she could have bought a dream vacation home with the amount of money spent on her beloved pup.
She says the ophthalmologist was covered, but not the medication. Tail removal surgery was not covered because it was considered a birth defect. Tank’s hospital stay for pneumonia was also not covered. She has to meet a deductible and there is a cap on certain treatments, which factor in as well. But in her case, she says she “absolutely” saved money by having insurance.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Most pet owners will have a deductible to meet, depending on the company they choose. Schwartz says most veterinary offices have pet parents pay upfront, and then submit the receipt to their insurance company for reimbursement. She says in rare cases the insurance company will pay the vet directly. Colatrella says her insurance typically pays within a few days of her submitting a claim.
WHAT IF YOU DON’T HAVE INSURANCE?
If you can’t afford pet insurance and are wary of medical bills, organizations like St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison are willing to help.
“Veterinary care is expensive, and access is very limited in underserved communities,” says Sarah Sangree, director of Community Engagement for St. Hubert’s. “As part of our commitment to keeping pets with the families that love them, St. Hubert’s is able to assist with medical issues ranging from ear infections, emergency spays and blockages, to mass removals, intensive wound care and emergency dentals.”
In the last six months, St. Hubert’s Community Programs team has noticed a sharp increase in calls from New Jersey families in need of help with medical bills, vet visits, spay and neuter and emergency boarding, Sangree says.
Jersey City resident Kip Smith had a scare when his American pit bull terrier Benji, who will be 7 in July, ingested a corn cob this spring. “We noticed that he was vomiting and had a loss of appetite. After taking him to a vet, we found out that he had a blockage that required urgent medical attention.”
At the time, Smith did not have pet insurance – but he said he would definitely consider it now. “While it is unclear whether pet insurance would have saved us money in this particular incident, we recognize the value of having coverage and wish to avoid any future scares.”
Smith called St. Hubert’s, which “not only assisted us with providing valuable information and resources, but they also went above and beyond by covering the cost of Benji’s surgery,” he says. They helped find an urgent care facility that could treat Benji’s blockage, and they also advocated for financial assistance. “We are truly grateful for St. Hubert’s and their amazing team,” Smith says.
Pet owners who need help can visit sthuberts.org/pet-medical-support to learn more about the services they offer.
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