Taking a Good Look at Pet Health Insurance - Insurance

There are nearly 17 million companion animals in Australia. The benefits of pet ownership are huge socially and economically. People who own pets visit the doctor less frequently, use less medication and are less likely to report feeling lonely. These animals are so important to their human owners, that they have become members of the family in many homes, and are provided a high level of care. Australians spend almost $5 million per year on pet care including food, grooming, leisure activities and health care services. According to the Australian Companion Animal Council, 58% of this is spent on dogs, 28% on cats and 14% on other pets.

Since pets are treated like members of the family, particular emphasis is put on providing for their health and welfare. Pet owners are more likely to want to pursue treatments for illnesses and injuries, as well as providing for wellness care. Surgeries, vaccinations, de-sexings, laboratory tests and hospitalizations are some typical health care services provided to animals.

Many owners are looking to pet health insurance to better manage the costs of health care expenses. Animal medicine and drug advances offer more treatment options, but can be very costly. When accidents or illnesses happen, owners are often shocked at how expensive veterinary care services are. The best time to insure an animal is when it's healthy. Most insurance plans exclude pre-existing conditions, so it is important to get a pet insurance quote, and to read the fine print on coverage. Plans and rates can vary enormously depending on type of coverage, including lifetime or non-lifetime, accident only or accident and wellness, and whether there is a deductible, and if so how much.

Check the pet insurance quote carefully; a condition treated in one plan year is sometimes not covered in the following plan year. Disappointments with coverage usually occur around what is and isn't covered. Cancer treatments that start toward the end of a coverage year might not be covered in the next policy year, leaving the owner with an animal that is still quite ill, and in need of continuous medical care. Disputes also occur around whether a pre-existing condition led to another condition.

Pet insurance can provide peace of mind in knowing that your animal has some coverage in the event of a major accident or illness. Some policies even provide boarding or pet walking services if their owner becomes hospitalized. For these furry members of the family, some owners think that providing pet insurance is right up there with providing food, shelter and belly rubs.





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