Thank you to guest blogger, Kathryn Mailler, a member of the team at Trupanion, medical insurance for cats and dogs, for providing this information.
All pets adopted through getyourpet.com receive 30 days of pet insurance from Trupanion.
With varying companies, policies, and plans, there are plenty of misconceptions about pet health insurance. You may think of coverage for accidents, for when your pet gets sick, and many things in between – but those just scratch the surface. These are five things you probably didn’t know could be covered by pet health insurance.
Congenital and hereditary conditions
Some pet health insurance plans do offer coverage for congenital and hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, cherry eye, or Addison’s disease. This means that a breed predisposed to hip dysplasia, like a German Shepherd, can get coverage to repair their hip, as long as it hasn’t shown any signs before being enrolled in medical insurance. No pet insurance provider covers pre-existing conditions—or anything that shows signs before your coverage kicks in. That’s why it’s important to enroll your pet when they’re young and healthy.
Small issues, like ear infections
A common misconception with pet medical insurance is that it’s only there to cover catastrophic accidents, but with the right policy your pet can have coverage for everything from monthly allergy medication to a broken nail. Your deductible is a big factor here—the lower the deductible, the more likely you are to be reimbursed for the small stuff.
Common illnesses, like cancer
Medical insurance should be there for the big stuff, too. Some policies require you to add on coverage for certain illnesses, like cancer, but with the best plans it’s already included. When faced with an illness, good insurance coverage can help you focus on what’s best for your pet, instead of worrying about finances.
Prescriptions
Not all healing happens in the veterinary hospital. The prescription your veterinarian fills for your pet to take at home can be covered too. A comprehensive plan like the Trupanion policy can cover medications, prescription pet food, and even veterinary supplements to help your pet recover.
Cutting-edge treatments and alternative therapies
The best plans are designed to give veterinarians the power to do what they do best and practice medicine without financial restrictions or benefit schedules. Veterinarians today can treat patients with stem-cell therapy, build prosthetic devices and carts, and perform acupuncture on our cats and dogs. Pet health insurance can support those efforts by covering things like alternative therapies, regenerative therapies, mobility devices, and the wide variety of treatments available today.
Pet health insurance can be a great option for most pet owners. If you are looking at pet insurance for your own dog or cat, it’s important to do your research to find a comprehensive plan that covers the big stuff, little stuff, and everything in between.