Pets Best Newsroom

Blog posts Categorized under ‘pet health insurance’

Researching pet insurance

Posted on: September 12th, 2011 by

A cat with cat insurance is seen by a veterinarian.

Posted by: H.M.
For Pets Best Insurance

If you are like many pet owners across the country, you may be considering buying pet insurance for your dog or cat. With veterinary care getting more expensive, taking good care of our furry family members can become a real economic hurdle.

A good dog or cat insurance policy can help with those costs, allowing your pet to receive the best care available. But you will want to do your research carefully because pet insurance costs do vary from plan to plan.

What will be covered?
First, you will need to find out what kinds of veterinary care pet health insurance companies cover. Below are some coverage options to consider:

• Routine – Routine care is usually not covered as part of a basic pet insurance plan. Routine services include physical exams (not related to an illness or injury), vaccinations, some routine lab tests, etc. Companies like Pets Best Insurance offer a plan that includes routine care for an additional monthly fee.

• Vet services related to a health problem – The majority of basic pet insurance plans cover services related to illness, accidents or injuries. This usually includes emergency visits, surgeries, hospitalization, diagnostic lab blood work, tests like MRIs and X-rays, prescription medicines and more.

• Alternative treatments – Another add-on you might consider are “alternative” treatments like chiropractic care or acupuncture. Some companies charge an additional fee for this kind of care, but Pets Best Insurance offers limited annual coverage for chiropractic and acupuncture in its standard plans.

• Levels of care – Many pet insurance companies offer a menu of plans, mainly on different levels like “Basic,” or “Premier” and are priced accordingly.

• “Limited” Coverage – Some cat and dog insurance companies will offer limited coverage for things like pregnancies, hereditary conditions, behavioral problems and mortality expenses.

Know Exactly What Your Costs Will Be
A reliable, high-quality pet insurance company will spell out all the costs and coverage of its plans so you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for, and what you’ll get. You shouldn’t have to worry about unexpected or hidden costs. Ask lots of questions from the customer service representatives until you are satisfied and feel confident in their responses.

Select a Pet Insurance company
After you have researched and factored in all the costs of a plan, you can determine what will be the best pet insurance for you and your pet. Some people will opt for a very basic pet insurance plan, and others may decide a full array of services will suit them. But only you know what will fit into your budget or what is comfortable for you.

For more information about cat and dog insurance, visit www.petsbest.com.

Wildlife dangers and your pet

Posted on: August 18th, 2011 by

A dog with dog insurance sits outside.

During summer, it is essential to protect pets and other domesticated animals from possible encounters with local wildlife, which can result in injuries to pets as well as expose them to dangerous diseases. This is why proper attention to pet health and safety, and researching the best pet insurance, is essential in order to ensure the well-being of household pets in the great outdoors.

Fencing Around the Home
Fences are a good first step in preventing pets from coming into contact with other animals, but they only provide a basic level of protection and cannot defend against wildlife that can dig or climb over these barriers. Fences should be maintained and checked for holes and gaps.

Rabies Shots
One of the greatest risks to pets is the threat of contracting rabies from infected wildlife. Reported rabies cases are up this year in several areas of the country. The Virginia Department of Health, for example, is cautioning pet owners in the New River Valley district that the number of cases of rabies through May of 2011 has already matched the number for the entirety of last year. Cases have been reported in skunks, cats, raccoons and cows. Other areas of the state are similarly affected by the highly infectious disease.

The best way to ensure pet safety and to protect pets against contracting this deadly viral infection is to ensure that they get annual vaccinations against rabies as part of their regular veterinary routine. Rabies vaccinations are required in most areas of the country and provide nearly 100% protection for pets against contracting the disease. Some pet health insurance plans cover a portion these and other routine vaccinations.

Habitat Alterations
In Florida, the growing coyote population is beginning to pose a threat to domesticated animals. There have been a number of substantiated reports of coyotes stalking cats and dogs and even attacking them, according to Greg Andrews of Pinellas County Animal Services.

One way to make lawns and outdoor living areas less attractive to coyotes and other predators is by ensuring that pet food and garbage cans are not readily available food sources outside. Additionally, keeping the grass short and hedges and shrubs neatly trimmed is safer for pets since it presents fewer hiding places for undesired wildlife.

Another way to protect pets from wildlife and outdoor dangers is with pet insurance. Pet health insurance helps to manage costs associated with most possible wildlife-related incidents and also help ensure the best possible veterinary care is more afforable to your beloved pet.

Pet Insurance: USA

Posted on: July 19th, 2011 by

A dog with pet health insurance waits for his owner.

Just as health, auto and homeowners insurance can vary by state, pet insurance is often different across the USA.

You will find that there are usually differences in pet insurance plans. Pet insurance policies also may be vary by state depending on any particular pet health issues that are more prevalent. For instance, the climate in southern states can affect pets health and coverage specifics might be different.

While most pet health insurance companies provide coverage, even if you move to another state and when you travel with your pet, that may be the first question you have when you begin comparing pet insurance.

What if you move or travel with your pet?
Like other insurance products, pet insurers must be licensed to sell insurance in their state. Do your research and see if the coverage/premium price would be the same or comparable if you moved to another state.

One very serious consideration regarding your pet insurance is a possible pre-existing exclusion. If you were to move with your pet to a new state where your current pet insurance carrier wasn’t licensed, you may run into this problem. A new company may see any diseases your pet has been treated for as pre-existing, even though your pet didn’t have the condition when your current insurer began coverage.

What if you are just traveling in another state with your pet? Pet insurance plans cover vet expenses that are eligible under your plan even if you’re traveling.

What if you leave the U.S., is your pet still covered if he goes with you? If this information isn’t spelled out in the policy, be sure to ask questions before deciding on that particular policy.

Underwriters are Important
Just as with your health and other insurance, pet insurance is covered and paid out by an underwriter. All reputable pet insurance companies will list information about their underwriter on their website. If you don’t see it listed, give them a call and ask.

Check out how financially viable the underwriter is by looking at their ratings. After finding the underwriter information, go to A.M. Best’s Rating Center, which will give you information about any insurance company’s rating and financial health.

Pet insurance in Texas

Posted on: July 12th, 2011 by

A dog with Texas pet insurance rides on a horse with his owner.

Southern states can present pet health issues. Hot, humid climates have challenges, especially for pets that are not used to the extreme temperatures. Wildlife, pests and plant life indigenous to the state can be serious health threats. This is true of pet health in Texas, which is why it’s a good idea to check out the best pet insurance and coverage options in Texas.

Texas Pet Laws
• Rabies: Texas, like most states, has particular laws that pet owners must abide by. Rabies is an ongoing concern in most states, but due to so much uninhabited land in Texas, rabies is a very real threat to pets. Texas requires that cats and dogs, age 12 weeks of age or older must be vaccinated against rabies and have a certificate that reflects that. The rabies vaccination must be given every three years.

• Spaying and Neutering: Texas requires that all animals up for adoption in shelters must be spayed or neutered before they are adopted. Some pet health insurance companies offer limited coverage for spaying and neutering.

• Quarantine: Any pet entering the country that is less than three months of age must be confined at home until it reaches three months and can have its rabies vaccination.

Pests and Toxic Plants
Like many southern states, Texas has mosquitoes. As mosquitoes carry diseases affecting both humans and pets, it’s important to be proactive in preventing diseases in pets. Heartworm is very prevalent in southern states because it is spread by mosquitoes.

Ticks are also a problem in Texas. It’s important for you to be diligent about your yard maintenance and watch for ticks on your pets. Pets are naturally curious and will investigate interesting wildlife like snakes. They will also eat vegetation that could be poisonous. Be very careful when using any pesticides, however, as they can be poisonous to animals. Read the labels carefully.

Pools
Hot climates usually influences more pools. Most people in areas of the country with extreme heat have at least a small pool in their yard. Pools can be life-threatening to pets, as not all pets are good swimmers. If pets are not used to a pool and fall in, they may have trouble getting out. The sides are too slippery for them to negotiate and they may quickly become exhausted and drown. Chlorine and other pool chemicals can be poisonous, too. Never leave your pet unattended around a pool.

Texas Pet Insurance Coverage
Check into pet insurance coverage in Texas as there may be items that are particular to the state or different areas of the state.

Pets living longer means more vet care

Posted on: July 8th, 2011 by

A dog with pet insurance is tended to by a vet.

Advances in veterinary science have resulted in our pets living longer. Treatments that were unimaginable 20 years ago, are now possible for our pets. But along with those advances and increased life spans for pets, veterinary health care costs have increased dramatically. Pet health insurance is also fairly recent.

Pet insurance can help offset the cost of vet care. If you have assistance paying for life-saving procedures, it’s less of a financial burden to provide the best care possible for your beloved companions. Because of their longer lives, our pets depend on us to make sure the quality of their life is maintained. They bring us joy, providing both physical and psychological advantages to our lives.

Diagnostics
Vets have access to more diagnostic tools, like MRIs, that allow them to diagnose problems with pets that might have gone undetected. Although wonderful for our pets, those and other procedures can be costly without pet insurance.

Still Only Small Percentage of Pets Insured
What’s surprising is that not many pet owners are taking advantage of the financial assistance an insurance plan can provide. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that in 2007, there were 72 million pet dogs and 82 million pet cats in U.S. homes. But only 850,000 cat and dog insurance policies were in place that year.

Pet owner’s awareness of the availability of pet health insurance is growing. Vet’s offices often give out brochures to their clients on various plans.

Check into the best pet insurance policy that makes sense for you. This is especially important if you have a multi-pet family. Those vet bills will add up!