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Home > General > Does Pet Insurance Cover Cancer? Standard Policies & FAQ

Does Pet Insurance Cover Cancer? Standard Policies & FAQ

Pet insurance

When it comes to caring for your pet, there are options available that make it easier to provide for them in their time of need. Giving your pets the best care during unexpected illness can be expensive, and insurance companies exist to give pet owners a helping hand. It’s tough enough to witness your furry friend in a bad situation, so taking the financial burden off your hands is important. There are pet insurance providers that will cover cancer under certain circumstances.

So, what does pet insurance cover? Are there options for pet insurance that cover cancer, and is that the standard? Read on below to find out.

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What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Most pet insurance only covers the basics of a pet’s needs in health care, such as accident and illness coverage. This means that if your dog or cat is hit by a car or is diagnosed with a condition that requires veterinary care, including cancer, there are pet insurance companies that are available to support you financially.

They work by the pet owner, paying the insurance company an agreed-upon monthly or yearly amount that goes towards your pet’s accident or illness coverage. There are usually a certain number of accident and illness situations listed that the company covers and some that do not. For example, most pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions (i.e., illnesses already diagnosed prior to insurance).

Pet insurance companies may also have options for additional coverage. This includes things like holistic therapies such as water-based therapy, massage therapy, or rehabilitation after an accident.

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Is Cancer Coverage Standard?

Considering the above, cancer-related illness would not be standard across pet insurance companies unless it was diagnosed after pet insurance was purchased. Cancer treatment options must also be reviewed with your pet insurance company to ensure coverage is available. Some cancer treatments may involve much longer processes or additional care by specialists.

Comprehensive plans usually include cancer coverage for dogs, but it’s best to check with your provider first. In short, most pet insurance companies offer cancer coverage in their standard plans, but it does depend on the provider.

divider-multipetFinal Thoughts

It’s crucial to understand what areas of care pet insurance companies cover before you decide to choose them. Make yourself aware of any pre-existing conditions your pet may have, such as congenital or genetic illnesses. The insurance company usually covers a detailed list of accidents and illnesses, so you have a completely transparent experience. While the majority of pet insurance providers cover cancer, be sure to ask every question you have before you start paying those monthly premiums, including whether illnesses such as cancer are covered.

It’s better to ask the insurance company beforehand than to be stuck in a situation where your vet bill is thousands of dollars, and you can’t afford it.

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Featured Image Credit: visivastudio, Shutterstock

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