6 common mistakes to avoid while buying pet insurance
A pet’s overall well-being is every pet parent’s ultimate desire and objective. However, life is unpredictable, and despite one’s best efforts, a pet may require healthcare assistance for health conditions, accidents, and injuries. Pet insurance helps pet owners alleviate the financial repercussions of such untoward events through financial compensation. It is advisable to opt for pet insurance from a reputed insurance company. Here are some common mistakes to avoid while securing pet insurance:
Assuming that all healthcare services are covered
A common mistake by pet parents is to assume that an insurance policy covers all healthcare services and requirements. For example, some insurance policies may not cover pet pregnancy-related complications, while some may exclude dental checkups and procedures. Thus, it is important for pet parents to browse the list of healthcare services a pet insurance policy includes under its hood and zero in on a policy based on this factor.
Only considering the premium
Although paying a high premium may burn a hole in one’s pocket, insurance policies with low premiums may sometimes not cover all the essential healthcare expenses. In such cases, one may end up spending a much higher amount at the veterinary hospital in case of a health emergency that the policy does not cover. Therefore, one should not opt for pet insurance plans with low premiums but less services covered. The best bet is to compare the prices and services of insurance policies by different companies and pick the one that perfectly balances price with coverage.
Not considering add-ons
Any pet insurance policy typically offers certain add-ons. For example, many pet insurance policies do not directly cover preventative care and routine checkup expenses – they are generally a part of the policy’s add-ons, which require pet owners to pay a certain additional amount. Thus, one should check out these add-ons and consider buying the potentially useful ones while opting for a pet insurance policy.
Not checking the inclusions (list of hospitals)
Some policies may leave out premium veterinary hospitals, which may offer specialized services by veterinary experts. Consequently, during times of need, one may not be able to receive financial reimbursement for seeking treatment at these clinics and hospitals. To avoid such consequences, pet owners should go through the list of hospitals and clinics included in the chosen policy based on potential healthcare requirements.
Not buying pet insurance early on
Many pet owners delay buying pet insurance, assuming their pets are young and healthy and may not undergo treatments soon. However, even young pets require regular checkups by veterinarians to ensure good health. Also, they need to be vaccinated regularly and treated in case of any infections, allergies, accidents, etc. In such cases, pet insurance can help one save large amounts of money, which can be utilized fruitfully for various other purposes. Moreover, the longer one waits, the higher the premium amount. Hence, it is best to opt for a pet insurance policy as soon as one gets a pet home.
Not disclosing existing health conditions
While buying a pet insurance policy, it is important for pet owners to be honest and upfront about existing health problems their pet may be suffering from. Failing to do so may cause repercussions like claim denials and policy cancellations.
