What is Pet Care Insurance?
Getting family pets the veterinary care they need is sometimes expensive when an animal is sick or injured, and the cost of care only increases the emotional turmoil of caring for a pet who needs veterinary attention. Pet care insurance helps Massachusetts pet owners reduce the financial stress that veterinary bills can cause by helping cover certain costs associated with pets’ care.
Pet care insurance policies are highly specialized policies. They’re generally offered by themselves, and they frequently come with several coverage selections that pet owners can choose from.
Who in Massachusetts Should Have a Pet Care Policy?
Many Massachusetts pet owners may be interested in a pet care policy, for any pet owner could be faced with the difficult decision of whether to pay for a pet’s expensive veterinary care.
Having a pet care policy in place usually takes the stress out of such a decision by covering certain veterinary costs and reducing related out-of-pocket expenses for owners. When a significant portion of a pet’s care is covered, choosing to pay for the care typically becomes a much easier decision.
What Animals Do Pet Care Policies Cover?
Most pet care policies are written as either cat or dog care insurance policies. Cat care insurance policies are available to cover a wide array of cats, and the same is true of dog care insurance policies. Dog care insurance policies normally can be adapted to cover different breeds, either gender and different ages of dogs.
Coverage for other pets, such as birds, reptiles and fish, may be available but it is less common. Pet owners who have an animal other than a cat or dog that they’d like a policy for should speak with a specialized agent who knows pet care coverage. A specialized agent will be able to check whether coverage can be adapted for the animal in question.
What Treatment Is Covered by Pet Care Policies?
Like most other insurance policies, pet care policies’ protections vary depending on a particular policy’s terms and conditions. Depending on the type of policy selected and its provisions, a policy might help pay for:
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Veterinary exams and emergency hospitalizations
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Cancer treatments and surgical procedures
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Holistic veterinary care and/or specialized veterinary care
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Prosthetics and orthopedics
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Ultrasounds, X-rays, MRIs and CT scans
What Conditions Are Covered by Pet Care Policies?
Most pet care policies also define their protections according to what is being treated. Some of the more common conditions that policies might cover include:
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Preventative care
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Injuries
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Illnesses
The types of illnesses covered sometimes include congenital conditions, chronic conditions, cancers, knee problems and hip dysplasia. (Making sure a dog care insurance policy covers knee problems and hip dysplasia might be especially important when purchasing coverage for a dog whose breed is prone to have these issues.)
How Much Do Pet Care Policies Cost?
Because pet care policies are used to cover so many different animals, policies sometimes differ significantly in cost. Even among only dog care insurance policies, there can be a substantial difference in premiums between the cost of insuring two different dogs.
Some of the factors that impact how much insurers charge for coverage include the:
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Type of an animal
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Breed of an animal
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Age of an animal
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Gender of an animal
Of curse, coverage selections also have a substantial impact on cost. Pet owners who are looking for ways to make coverage as affordable as possible usually can lower premiums by selecting a higher deductible, lower annual limit and lower rate of reimbursement. An insurance agent who knows these types of policies can help pet owners make wise coverage selections that keep premiums affordable yet also keep essential protections in place.
How Can Massachusetts Pet Owners Get Pet Care Insurance?
For help finding a pet care insurance policy that’ll protect your family pet well, contact the independent and informed insurance agents at Charles River Insurance. Our Massachusetts-licensed agents have the expertise necessary to help you find the policy that’s right for you and your pet.
