Pet Health Insurance Asking the Right Questions

Veterinary pet insurance has been around for many years. Until recently, the options for providers has been lacking. A number of companies have entered the market in recent years to help fill this void. These new companies provide a variety of coverage options to fit your family's budget and pet health insurance needs.

Before choosing pet healthcare insurance for your pet, you need to do your research. Here are a few questions to consider when choosing the right provider for your loved one's pet insurance.

Is your pet a pure-breed or mixed-breed?

Mixed breed pets are actually easier and cheaper to insure because they are not at risk for many of the congenital and hereditary diseases that many pure breeds may be susceptible to. If your is a mixed breed and you don't have the breed-specific illnesses to worry about, you may want to consider an 'Accident only' plan which is the cheapest pet insurance to buy.

Are there any inherent diseases within my pet's breed or bloodline?

If you have a purebred pet, know what diseases are common in your breed, and make sure those illnesses are covered under the plan you are seeking. One of the problems with pet insurance companies is that they never covered congenital diseases.

Pre-existing conditions are a touchy topic between pet owners and pet insurance providers. Make sure you understand what the provider defines as a 'pre-existing condition' before you sign up for their program. The more reputable pet insurance companies will provide a list of preexisting conditions that will or will not be covered.

These are just some important questions to ask when considering an insurance plan for your pet. The cost may seem high at first. But when you consider the cost of today's veterinary medicine and how important your pet is to your family, you will realize that pet health insurance is well worth the investment.