If you’re like us, your pets are members of the family. That means that no matter what, we want to do everything we possibly can to give them the best veterinary care, from routine wellness checks to emergency and specialty care. But as a pet parent you know that veterinary care can get expensive, especially in an emergency. That’s why more and more pet owners are investing in pet health insurance.
Pet health insurance helps cover the unexpected costs of veterinary care, including accidents, illnesses, and injuries. Here at BEVS, we’ve seen firsthand that pet parents of insured dogs and cats can say “yes” to lifesaving, advanced veterinary care without worrying about the expense taking a bite out of their budget. That’s why we strongly encourage all pet parents to insure their beloved furry family members.
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
Pet insurance can seem complicated because there are so many options out there. But the way it works is fairly simple. When you sign up, you choose a level of coverage, or how much the insurance company will pay – usually between 70% and 90% of the total veterinary bill – and a deductible, or the amount you’ll pay out of pocket before your coverage kicks in. Those levels, along with your pet’s age, breed, and where you live, help determine the cost of your monthly premium. Most pet insurance providers’ websites offer free customized quotes, so you can get a sense of pricing. Depending on the plan you choose, your monthly premium could be as low as a few dollars a day.
With most insurance plans, you pay for treatment up front, then submit a claim to the insurer. After processing the claim, the insurance company reimburses you via check or direct deposit. There are also some direct-pay programs like Trupanion, which pay the veterinary hospital directly, and you only pay your deductible at the time of service.
Why not just start a savings account to use for your pet’s veterinary expenses? Because most insurance plans give you immediate access to far more money than you might be able to save, for just a small amount each month. It could take years to save enough to cover your cat’s urinary blockage treatment – a truly life-threatening emergency – but an insurance policy gives you access to a large sum each year you’re insured.
This is the true value of pet insurance: not having to decide between your family’s budget and your pet’s health — a decision we know that many pet owners, unfortunately, have to make.
Covering the Cost of Care
There are more than 20 different pet health insurance providers, so some research is necessary. Ask your primary care veterinarian if they recommend any companies or visit PetInsuranceReview.com, an independent website that allows you to easily compare options.
We work with all pet insurance plans and gladly provide information for clients who need to submit claims for reimbursement. We also accept CareCredit, a credit card exclusively for health care expenses, and Scratchpay, a loan offered for veterinary services (both subject to credit approval).
Here at BEVS, we have seen how pet insurance has allowed many of our pet patients to receive the best and most advanced medical care. If you have any questions or need assistance with submitting a claim, please give us a call at 802.863.2387.