Any veterinarian will tell you that we would LOVE it if all our clients had pet insurance. The chance to do what is best for our patients, instead of only what can be financially afforded out of pocket, is every vet’s dream come true. But, which company should you choose? And what type of policy?
I thought I’d share with you what I have learned as a veterinarian about pet insurance, and all the things I think owners should know when choosing a provider. I am by no means an expert on this topic, but have managed to pick up a few tidbits of knowledge on the topic along the way.
First, it’s important to know that most of the time an owner will still have to pay veterinary costs out of pocket, at the time of service, and then wait to be reimbursed by their insurer. This is partly because there is a lot of variance in the amount of coverage for certain problems, and by various companies. It is difficult for a clinic to determine what will be covered and what will not be, or to give advice to owners about it. Therefore, it is usually left to the owner to sort out with their provider. This is important to know because some people buy pet insurance with the idea that they will therefore not need a ready supply of funds in an emergency. Since this is unfortunately not the case, it may be wise to have a credit card designated for pet expenses, which is readily available to use with the plan of paying it off once the insurance company sends you reimbursement.
This leads me to another important point: When looking for a policy, investigate thoroughly the typical amount of reimbursement for various problems and how it is determined. For example, I have come across several policies that pay very well for emergency surgeries such as fractured bones and bloat ($1500 -$3000), but pay only a small amount for other illnesses such as kidney failure ($500, which is almost nothing for a pet that needs several days in the hospital and ongoing care after returning home). Make sure to select a policy that pays well whether the problem is a “sure fix” or is a more guarded, long term illness. A more helpful policy might pay a fixed percentage of all bills, no matter what the illness, instead of adjusting reimbursement based on type if illness.
In consideration of the above point, I thought I would list some of the more common illnesses and emergencies I see as a veterinarian in dogs and cats. This list is not all inclusive, of course, but is intended to give you a starting point for discussion with potential insurers. You can ask what they would cover, as an example, for such illnesses.
DOGS: pancreatitis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, “dietary indiscretion” or gastroenteritis, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, fracture repair, trauma/bite wounds/hit by car, GI obstruction, bladder stones, hypoadrenocorticism, atopy (seasonal skin allergies), otitis externa (ear infections), splenectomy, GDV (“bloat”), arthritis, torn cruciate ligament, periodontal disease, lymphosarcoma, congestive heart failure/heart disease
CATS: acute or chronic kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, trauma/bite wounds/abscesses, hepatitis/liver disease, uretral obstruction, Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease/cystitis, periodontal disease/Feline Oral Resorptive Lesions, diabetes, cardiomyopathy/heart disease, upper respiratory infection
Lastly, if you are interested in being able to provide the best care for your pet as it ages, you may want to inquire about an oncology rider, or riders for other illnesses. About 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will eventually die of cancer. Cats have a very high incidence of kidney insufficiency as they age. In addition, coverage for preventive care or “disease screens” such as annual bloodwork, abdominal ultrasounds, and x-rays may be provided by bonus coverage that can help you provide top quality care to your pet.
If you do get pet insurance, and are not reimbursed as much as you thought you would be for an incident, it may be wise to ask your veterinarian to call the insurance company. Sometimes there can be additional reimbursement for items listed separately from the presenting problem, such as “abdominal ultrasound” or specialty consult.
Hope this was helpful and informative. If you know all the facts, pet insurance can be a wonderful salvation for a pet in an emergency, as well as a tool to help provide your beloved furry friend with optimum care its entire life. Your pet– and your vet– will love you for it!
Andrea Sparzo, DVM
