WEÕVE GOT YOU COVERED
Should you buy pet insurance for your pup? How does it work? We dug up everything you need
to know to keep your fur baby safe and sound without losing your shirt. BY LISA FREEDMAN
PRICING VARIES
On average, expect to pay $35
to $55 each month per pet. (Cats
will cost less than dogs.) “Price
is determined using a number of
factors, including species, breed,
and age, as well as deductible,
annual limit, and reimbursement
percentage,” says Liz Watson, vice
president of ASPCA Pet Health
Insurance. And there’s usually
a deductible—either per year or
per incident, “which means you
cover that cost each time you file
a claim,” says Watson. As with
health insurance for humans,
the higher your monthly premium,
the lower your deductible.
AND NOW FOR
THE FINE PRINT
There usually aren’t in-network
providers versus out-of-network
ones, so you can take your pet
to any licensed veterinarian. But
preexisting conditions are not
typically covered (which is why
Watson suggests purchasing
pet insurance while your fur babe
is still young and healthy), and
neither are certain hereditary
conditions. Talk to your
veterinarian about whether pet
insurance is right for you. As
with all things, prepare for the
worst, hope for the best,
and enjoy every furry snuggle.
THERE ARE DIFFERENT
TYPES OF PLANS
There are illness plans (if your dog
gets sick), wellness plans (for
checkups), accident plans (if your
dog gets hit by a car), and
combinations of the three. “Some
pet policies don’t cover well-care
visits,” Andersen points out. If you
have a healthy dog, your best bet
is probably the lower-premium,
higher-deductible plan—but don’t
take our word for it. “When
it comes to pet health insurance,
do your homework and research
the offerings,” says Watson.
“Check out the policies so you can
make an educated decision.”
A PLAN COULD SAVE
YOU A BUNCH
With most pet plans, you front
the money and get paid back when
your pet’s health takes a turn.
(Refunds are based on a percentage
of the bill or the national average
fee for the treatment.) “My dog
had cancer, and her treatment
totaled $14,000 in one year,” says
Jodi Andersen, chief dog expert
at How I Met My Dog, a site that
matches shelter dogs and owners.
“Insurance reimbursed me for
90 percent of that. It can help you
avoid being in a situation
where you have to choose between
your pet and your budget.”
What’s your
dog trying to tell
you with his
behavior? Hover
your phone’s
camera here to
find out.
PHOTO: J. DANIELLE W
EHUNT/STOCKSY
90 RACHAELRAYMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2019
pets etc.
