North Memorial Animal Hospital

Veterinarian

pet insurance

Insurance…..for pets?

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Hi, my name is Mary D.  I have worked at North Memorial Animal Hospital for the past 2 1/2 years.

So I have to ask….

Why get insurance?

The question is why not?

Let’s imagine for a second you have found the perfect addition to your family. Have you ever thought of what they are at risk for?  Eating trash for example. The first thing you think of is “Oh what a mess it will be to clean.”  What I think of is, “What was in there? What could he/she have eaten?”.   There are many things in your daily life that your pet can come into contact with, medication, objects around the house, harmful foods, some household plants.  Check out 101 things that can harm your pet at  https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/101-things-you-didnt-know-could-harm-your-pet/

Some very common accidental injuries/illnesses include:  Expository surgery from eating a foreign object.   Pet jumping from car window.   Attacked by another dog.  Kennel cough, which can be caught at public dog part or even from taking your pet to the local pet store.  It does not have to be from a kennel.  Also toxicity from eating certain poisonous items such as sugar free gum, chocolate, raisins, etc…

Did you know most companies will cover approximately 80-90% of an accidental injuries.  They will also cover 100% of wellness visits.  All policies are not the same.  Cheaper policies cover less.  The great thing about pet insurance is, you can use any veterinarian you choose.  You pay for the visit upfront then submit claim for reimbursement.  Turn around time is quite fast especially when you have your veterinarian fax the paperwork to them.  For a list of all pet insurance companies with ratings and testimonials visit.   www.petinsurancereviews.com   An online quote takes approximately 2 minutes to complete. They provide a toll free number to answer any questions.

Not a lot of people are aware that the insurance covers the yearly wellness visits.  There are some people that get only the basic vaccines due to finances and leave their pet unprotected for things such as Lyme Disease, Canine Influenza and Bordetella.  With pet insurance you can now fully protect your pet.

Preventative care such as dental cleanings are covered also.  Did you know that the bacteria that causes plaque and tarter build up are related to heart disease, liver disease and kidney disease?  Bacteria in the mouth can go through the blood system and in return cause damage to the heart, liver, kidneys and can be linked to joint disease.  Therefore dental cleanings are not just for clean teeth and fresh breath it actually helps prolong the life of your pet.

To list just a few other preventive care coverages:

  • Flea and Tick prevention
  • Heart worm prevention
  • wellness exams
  • core vaccines and addition vaccines
  • checking a stool sample for parasites
  • blood screening
  • urinalysis
  • spay and neuters.So now I ask you.  When are you getting your pet insurance?

Pet Insurance. What is it and how does it work?

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Pet insurance is alot like human medical insurance, it helps to cover costs for emergencies.  When an animal needs treatment and the owners cannot pay for it the situation is heartbreaking.  Pet insurance helps to alleviate this.  There are many different plans available, from emergency only coverage to plans that include vaccinations and preventative medicine. 

Here’s how it works:

  1. Have your pet treated by a licensed veterinarian
  2. Pay in full for the treatments performed
  3. Submit a claim to the insurance company
  4. Get remimbursed quickly for the covered charges

There are many things to consider when choosing a pet health insurance plan.  Here are some questions to ask about the policy:

  • Is there an age restriction? Some companies will start coverage after 8 weeks & some may restrict senior pets.
  • Is there a multi-pet discount?
  • Are any specific breeds not covered
  • Are hereditary conditions for your pet’s specific breed covered?
  • What are the deductibles, co pays and any caps on coverage?

Be sure to review the plan closely and make sure it offers the coverage you want.  Our office handles claims frequently and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.