What does my policy cover? | Pet insurance | Choosing the right insurance | ABI (2024)

FAQs

What does my policy cover? | Pet insurance | Choosing the right insurance | ABI? ›

Policies can include cover for: Veterinary fees - The cost of diagnosing and treating illnesses and/or injuries. This is the core cover provided by pet insurance and normally includes the cost of consultations, examinations, tests, x-rays, MRI/CT scans, medication, bandages, surgery, and hospitalisation.

Lifetime policies

These policies cover your pet for their entire life, taking care of expenses for both illnesses and injuries. Although they are the most expensive option, they offer the highest level of protection, with coverage limits that reset annually upon policy renewal.

Most will cover common injuries and illnesses, like cancer, diabetes, and broken bones; however, coverage for certain treatments and services, like microchipping, behavior therapy, and dental care, can vary. Pet insurance works differently from human health insurance.

Pet insurance tends to cover unexpected events, so you're likely to be covered for accidents or illnesses, and they usually include a certain amount of vet fees. This could include consultations with a vet, medication, surgery and examinations including X-rays, MRI and CT scans.

The cost of pet insurance varies based on your pet's location, breed, age, and the amount of coverage you want.

We recommend an annual limit of $10,000 for most pets, offering enough coverage for a sudden emergency or illness. For reference, a single trip to an emergency care clinic can cost upwards of $375 to $965 for cats and $534 to $1,285 for dogs.

With the best insurance companies , you get reimbursed for 80%, 90%, or even 100% of the vet bill (after your deductible is met). Like most insurance options, you'll pay a monthly premium to keep your coverage active.

Some pet insurance companies will also pay out if your dog dies but will only pay the amount you paid for the dog or its current market value. Some will pay for euthanasia but not cremation; will pay for both, and some will pay a portion, and the pet owner pays the balance.

Do all pet insurance providers cover prescription food? Sadly, no. In most cases, prescription pet food isn't covered at all, and if it is, it is often only with an additional costly add-on or on a case-by-case basis only.

What is a disadvantage of pet insurance? ›

Cons Explained

Many plans require you to pay upfront and then get reimbursed: Typically, you must pay your vet for services rendered. Then, you can submit the claim to your pet insurance for reimbursem*nt. This can take time. Premiums increase over time: The older your pet gets, the more likely they are to get sick.

Diagnostic tests

MetLife Pet Insurance can provide coverage for X-rays, ultrasounds, bloodwork, CT scans, MRIs, and more. This way, you could afford to get some of the most comprehensive testing possible.

For example, if your pet is hit by a car or eats something it's not supposed to, your accident-only pet insurance will help cover the cost of surgery. Comprehensive accident and illness pet insurance plans cover accidents as well as diseases and chronic illnesses.

Below are four things you should think about when choosing coverage - Costs, provider network, benefits, and quality.

Pet insurance companies do require medical records in order to enroll any pet in a policy. These companies employ teams of veterinary specialists that are trained to review your pet's medical records to determine if your pet has any pre-existing medical conditions.

Pet insurance can cover a portion of costs associated with injuries, illnesses, tests and more.. Pet insurance generally does not cover pre-existing conditions, experimental treatment, grooming, regular dietary expenses and non-veterinary expenses.

A more affordable monthly premium requires a higher deductible, and a lower deductible will require a higher monthly premium. A young and healthy pet is less likely to be diagnosed with a chronic condition, making a higher deductible and lower monthly premium a good choice.

This is another reason why it makes sense to apply for pet insurance for your dog when they're still a puppy. At a few weeks or months old, they likely won't have any pre-existing conditions, thus clearing a major roadblock to securing comprehensive coverage.

Your premium is an amount you (the policyholder) pay each month to maintain your pet insurance cover. This payment covers the risks associated with your insured pet and your liabilities under your policy. Some insurers may offer discounts to pet owners who pay their premiums annually as a lump sum instead of monthly.