Healthcare is expensive, and pet healthcare and veterinarian costs are no exception. Pet parents know that they would go to any lengths to keep their pets safe and healthy. Several of us do end up paying exorbitant bills on procedures for our pets. The cost of having a pet and ensuring their safety is quite high. But it isn’t fair that only those of us who can pay such large amounts should get to enjoy the love that comes from having a dog. Pet Insurance for dogs provides a way for people to enjoy their companionship without being afraid of unaffordable bills from the vet. This industry has been thriving abroad for a considerable time, and in recent years it has taken root in India too. It’s no surprise that this is the case because India is the fastest-growing pet care market in the world!

What is Pet Insurance

Pet Insurance is an insurance policy specifically for pet owners. It lessens the overall cost of pet health care. It’s similar to health insurance policies for people. Pet insurance will cover, either completely or partly, the expenses that arrive out of veterinary procedures. 

All this might seem too technical, and perhaps like me, the author, you are numerically challenged and confused by concepts such as insurance. If this is the case, you needn’t worry. This blog post is going to simplify it for you and help you understand it!

How It Works

Just as there is for regular insurance, pet insurance usually has a deductible. A deductible is an out-of-pocket payment before the plan comes into action.

The insurance premium is the amount a person pays for the policy. It might have to be paid in full at the start, or it might have to be paid in installments. The amount of insurance premium depends on the average cost of veterinary care in the region.

To stop pet owners from getting insurance when their pet is already unwell, insurance companies require a complete medical examination, and some documentation to verify that your dog is healthy at that point in time. When you need to use the insurance, you have to pay the vet bill yourself first. Then, you need to file an insurance claim, to ask them to reimburse you. The reimbursement level could range from 50% to 100% of the bill. That’s the amount you’ll get back. A maximum annual amount will also be specified, and the insurer will only pay you amounts up to that. Anything above that will have to be paid for by you. 

Before getting insurance, be sure you’ve clearly read all the terms and conditions. It’s usually quite tempting to simply skip that bit and get the deal over with, but you should make sure it’s a fair deal and you’re getting your money’s worth. The insurance company will specify certain conditions for which they won’t reimburse you, for example, routine medical procedures.

How Much Does It Cost?

The insurance costs include the initial payment and the deductible, along with the yearly or monthly payments or the premium. The average cost of pet insurance depends on a range of factors. The breed plays a part. This might seem like arbitrary discrimination, but it’s because certain breeds are predisposed to certain illnesses. Age of course is an important factor. With age, dogs become more prone to illness. The location, and the average price of vet services in that area, also impact the cost of insurance. 

Most insurance companies have three tiers to choose from. There are accident-only plans, there are comprehensive plans, and there are wellness plans too which include preventative procedures. 

What Does It Cover?

Pet insurance is most useful when you select a plan which suits your dog’s specific needs, which depend on their breed. 

In general, though, pet insurance covers the following conditions: unexpected injuries or accidents, unexpected illnesses, surgery, tests or diagnostics, and emergency exam fees. The most pet insurance plan will cover expenses in the above categories as long as they are not caused by pre-existent conditions. 

In most cases, there is an age limit for pets, which is that they must be between 8 weeks to 8 years. The Indian company Bajaj Allianz is an exception to this and their age criteria are that your dog must be between 3 months to 10 years.

Pet Insurance for dogs can be an extremely valuable investment. It can help you care for your dog without hesitating due to an excessive financial burden, thus can be so liberating for both you and your dog!

Now that you know everything about pet insurance you can have a fluffy pup and a mate for yourself without any worries. Fluffpup provides the best quality dog breeds and also helps you choose the one for yourself. Check out all the puppies here.