Pet Insurance 101
Written by Small Door's medical experts
When your pet gets suddenly sick or injured, pet insurance can be the difference between thousands of dollars in lifesaving treatments. The choices of pet insurance companies, policies, and add-ons can be overwhelming. It’s important to do your research and pick the best plan for you and your pet.
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
Pet insurance is similar to insurance for people, in that you will have various premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. Many insurance policies have a waiting period as well before your insurance coverage kicks in and begins.
There are two major types of insurance plans: reactive and proactive. With a reactive insurance policy, you will get coverage on sick care, injury, illness, and other major medical events that happen to your pet. Again, the exact coverage is down to the specific plan you choose.
You can also go with an insurance policy that is more proactive and has fuller coverage. These plans may reimburse you for reactive care as well as wellness care, like routine exams, vaccines, and bloodwork. These insurance policies are typically more expensive as the coverage is more extensive.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
Typically, you pay a monthly fee for an insurance plan. The cost of this varies with each insurance company. Different factors like breed, age, and coverage options may determine your monthly quote.
At vet visits, you pay your veterinarian in full and your insurance company will reimburse you later on. The amount of reimbursement you receive depends on your insurance policy and the coverage that comes with it.
What Are Pre-Existing Conditions?
One of the frustrations that comes with pet insurance is the notion of pre-existing conditions. Most insurance companies deem any medical or health concern as pre-existing if it exists at any point before your insurance kicks in.
This includes the waiting period. For example, if your pet gets injured during the two weeks between when you buy your insurance policy and when the coverage starts, it may be considered pre-existing and you may not receive any reimbursement.
Pet insurance is a personal choice. It’s always a bit of a gamble, but if something does happen, it can mean affording an important surgery or treatment for your pet.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
Pet insurance really is a personal choice. We recommend it, but there is always a bit of a gamble when signing up. Pet insurance is meant to be a protective barrier when the unexpected happens to your pet, and sometimes, you won’t end up using it.
But when something does happen, it can mean affording an important surgery or treatment for your pet.
Pet Insurance Companies to Check Out
Here is a list of pet insurance companies that we recommend and work with often:
Embrace
Healthy Paws
Lemonade
Nationwide
Pumpkin
Trupanion
How Does Pet Insurance Work With a Small Door Membership?
At Small Door, we can work with any pet insurance company and policy, and we’ll help you submit claims. The insurance policy that’s right for you may vary based on your membership plan with us.
Our Access membership allows you to pay as you go for all services, so any choice of insurance will work here. Our Premium Plus membership plan bundles wellness care, so we recommend getting an insurance policy only for reactive care and not for wellness care. This is so you won’t pay more than needed, as insurance won’t reimburse for your membership payments with us.
If you have any questions about pet insurance, our team is here to help.
