I was talking to a customer the other day whos dog has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. Of course all of us pet lovers treat our dogs and cats like members of the family, and if there’s a serious illness that can be treated, we do whatever we can. What got me to thinking is the customer mentioned it sure would have been great if they had purchased pet insurance when the dog was healthy.
For the past year we at Aussie Pet Mobile have offered discounts with VPI, the nation’s largest pet health insurer. We feel that this is a great option for those who want some peace of mind that comes with having insurance. You can find the discounts at www.petinsurance.com/apm, or you can find a link to VPI with our discount on our website.
For an unbiased view on pet insurance, I recently read a news release put out by the Illinois Department of Insurance. They offer some tips to consumers thinking about this type of insurance:
• Review your options and compare benefits among policies
Insurance can be split into four general categories: accidents, illnesses, wellness, and additional benefits. Make sure your policy has the benefits you are looking for.
• Ask about pre-existing conditions to see if they are covered
• Continuing coverage for long-term conditions when policy is up for renewal
• Understand if there are any exclusions for certain breeds or treatments
• Reimbursement – how does the policy make payments? Will they pay you or the vet?
• Choosing a veterinarian – most policies let you visit any licensed veterinarian, but you should check the policy to make sure.
Of course, you can set aside money each month and essentially self-insure your pets. If you are well disciplined that may work out great. For many of us, however, an insurance policy can be a great option because we don’t need to worry about it. If and when you are faced with an illness it’s great not to have to worry about all of the cost when deciding what treatment options your pet will receive.
Like I said, they’re a part of the family.
