Each pet has a different role in each home. Some serve as guard dogs, while others are costumed and well pampered, but whatever role they play, dogs make very helpful and enjoyable house companions. A good owner should know better than to ignore the welfare of his dog.
Today, there are several pet insurance policies that you can purchase. However, just like for us humans, there are considerable circumstances that make one insurance plan better than another. Here are some things to consider when choosing an insurance plan for your pet:
1) Financial concerns are always a good starting point. First of all, consider your budget for your pet. For example, how much have you been spending on your regular visits to the vet? Do you have money set aside for your friend in case of sudden illness or accident?
There are specific insurance plans for all your financial needs. Few plans can cover 100% of your expenses; however, there are plans that may offer you discounts or reimbursements for each visit to the vet and the like.
2) Another consideration should be your pet’s medical history. There are plans that do not cover pre-existing conditions so make sure you are familiar with the terms of an insurance plan before you buy it. You want to make sure the plan covers all or most of your pet’s medical needs so you can be sure of your friend’s well-being.
3) Third, consider the breed of your dog. There are exclusive breed-specific plans. These are typically breeds that have genetic or breed-related diseases, or working dogs that are more prone to age-related diseases such as arthritis. Although it is simply inhumane how people have created such discrimination against innocent dog breeds, you must accept that this is a reality. Find out if your dog is on this list and do your best to find a plan that doesn’t exclude him.
4) Consider external factors such as your dog’s common habits such as biting and swallowing foreign objects. If your dog has these kinds of gestures, make sure the policy also covers the medicine when something bad happens. Some plans also cover allowances for other sudden or unwanted events, like your dog attacking other people, or for room and board when you need to be somewhere else and can’t bring your dog, like the hospital.