Pet insurance is becoming much more commonplace these days. When pet owners got wind of the benefits and perks of this protective layer of coverage, many became interested. If you’re one of those people and you live in Arizona, you might wonder what your options are.
Here we’re going to look at an overview of what you can expect to pay for pet insurance in terms of price and coverage. Remember that each insurance company will vary slightly on what they offer, so it’s always best to get a free quote from their websites for a more in-depth look at monthly budget parameters.
The Importance of Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is growing in popularity all the time. So what attracts pet owners most? The most obvious perk of having pet insurance is that it alleviates financial responsibility in times of emergency.
Even though some pet insurance companies cover preventative care, it is mostly implemented so owners can afford those times when unexpected situations crop up. Many pet owners have struggled financially or even lost pets due to a lack of funds.
Having pet insurance simply puts a safety net around your pet so they receive the appropriate care as needed. Many customers agree that pet insurance gives them peace of mind; some will even tell you how it saved their animal’s life.
Even though it has not completely overtaken just yet, it is catching on rapidly. If you’re a pet owner, you can easily shop for a policy that falls in your budget so you, too, can have this coverage.
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How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
The price of pet insurance can vary based on the species, age, current health state, and particular company you choose.
On average, canines cost more than felines by a few dollars. However, dogs and cats have virtually unlimited options! However, the AKC only covers canine care.
If you have certain types of animals, you may only have one option for coverage. Currently, only Nationwide Pet Insurance accepts exotic pets. So that’s also something to anticipate if you don’t have just a dog or cat. The ASPCA does offer coverage for equines, a unique selling point that other companies lack.
Here’s a table that shows the average price of policies per month and what other pets the company offers. This should make it easier to digest.
[/su_table]| Dog | Cat | Other | |
| Pumpkin | $50 | $20 | N/A |
| Embrace | $54 | $27 | N/A |
| Lemonade | $20 | $10 | N/A |
| Nationwide | $60 | $30 | $22 (exotic) |
| Figo | $35 | $25 | N/A |
| ASPCA | $50 | $25 | $75 (horses) |
| AKC | $45 | NA | N/A |
| Wagmo | $40 | $20 | N/A |
Additional Costs to Anticipate
Most pet insurance policies have you pay for the funds right up front, and you later receive reimbursement. This may not be very easy for certain families on budgets. So it’s always best to ensure you have the funds up front until your policy reimburses you for the bill.
Specific issues that you take your animal in for might not be covered under insurance. So if you find out at the end of the appointment that the insurance company will not cover, you need to be prepared to accept the loss and foot the bill.
Also, some issues simply aren’t covered under certain pet insurance policies, but they may be covered under others. For example, most insurance companies do not cover preventative care under standard plans. However, some do include this option as an add-on so it’s important to shop around to find one that works for your needs if you need something specific covered.
While most insurance companies have a list of coverage and exclusions on their website, it is on a case-by-case basis, and it greatly depends on the issue. So sometimes, you might only know once the claim is submitted that the case couldn’t be paid by insurance.
Deductibles
Another cost to anticipate is your deductible. When you sign up for a policy, you choose a deductible amount. That amount is what you have to pay before insurance will jump in. For example, if your pet needs surgery and it costs $1,000, but you have a $250 deductible on your policy, you will have to pay out-of-pocket for the surgery, and insurance will reimburse you for the rest of the cost minus the $250 deductible.
Note also that some insurance companies only reimburse up to a certain amount. So, if your policy has 90% reimbursement, they won’t pay the full $750 remaining for the surgery. They will only reimburse you 90% of $750, which is $675. So really, you’d be paying around $375 for that surgery.
Annual Limits
Also note that many pet insurance policies have annual limits, which is how much they will pay out in a particular year. For example, let’s say your dog needed multiple surgeries throughout the year to correct an issue, but your policy has an annual limit of $10,000. That means that once you’ve used $10,000 worth of insurance coverage, you’ll be paying the rest out of pocket. Keep this in mind when choosing an insurance policy that has annual limits.
How Often Should I Take My Pet to the Vet?
How often your pet goes to the vet depends on several factors. In your pet’s first year of life, they will go to the vet more frequently. These visits cover spaying and neutering, deworming, vaccinations, and general health monitoring.
The growth points are significant milestones, and it’s best to have your vet on hand to ensure your pet is developing on par. During your pet’s life, they can develop specific health issues that may require travel to the vet more frequently.
But if your cat stays in good health, they should only have to see the vet annually after their first year.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Pre-existing Conditions?
No pet insurance covers pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is a medical issue that your pet shows signs of or is diagnosed with before your policy is activated. For example, if your cat is limping, and you later get pet insurance in order to cover the treatment, that would be a pre-existing condition.
Unfortunately, your pet must be covered before an incident occurs to receive reimbursement. Much the same as human health insurance, companies simply don’t pick up the slack for something that was already an issue before coverage begins.
That is why we tell many readers to opt for pet insurance as early as possible. Not only does this provide a lifetime of coverage for your pet, but it also saves you a lot of headaches if an expensive health issue crops up.
What to Do for Your Pet Between Vet Visits
Taking your pet to planned vet appointments is crucial to pet ownership. But the most critical care happens at home. So in between vet visits, it is important to ensure that your pet is getting the proper nutrition and exercise.
So always take appropriate measures to keep your pet living its healthiest life. Primary care gets you a long way, and if you pay close attention, you can take note of any health issues that might be cropping up and discuss them with your vet as needed.
If you notice any odd changes in behavior, you can make a note of it, or you call your vet to see if an appointment is necessary. Owning a pet should be a breeze as long as you keep up with routine care, but remember to plan for anything unexpected.
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Conclusion
Keep in mind—pet insurance is changing all the time. Companies are coming up with ways to improve and expand policies all the time to cater to the needs of all pets. So, finding pet insurance to match your budget is entirely possible if you live in Arizona. Be bold and visit a few companies to check free quotes. It’s nice to compare rates with the info for your specific pet—as costs vary.
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