Best Dog Insurance Companies for 2021
Although we all hope to stay healthy, you never know what will happen. Insurance is something that we hope to not use often, but it is good to have as a precautionary. Just like you have insurance for yourself, your home, and other things, it is recommended to have pet insurance as well. Even if your dog is often a healthy dog, insurance is good to have for regular vet visits and in case of emergencies.
Although pet insurance is recommended, it is often a confusing world to get into and choose the right fit for you and your pet. Here are a few reasons why pet insurance is recommended and how to choose the best dog insurance for your family.
What is Pet Insurance?
Similar to insurance for humans, dog insurance is mostly there in case of emergencies, that will hopefully not happen. By making monthly payments, you are able to keep insurance for your pet. When you take your dog to the veterinary office for checkups or other times, your expenses may be partially or fully reimbursed.
It is best to research what your specific pet insurance company offers. Some insurance companies only cover emergency visits to the vet and do not apply coverage to regular checkup visits. If regular coverage is important to you, many companies offer additional packages that will apply to regular vet visits. Additionally, most pet insurance companies cover typical house pets such as dogs and cats, so if you have another type of animal, you may need to dig deeper.
Many dog breeds have known health issues, so having emergency coverage is important to many dog owners. There are many different veterinarian procedures today that can tend to be expensive and having pet insurance makes sure those costs are covered.
How Much Does it Cost?
The monthly payments, or premiums, differ among each company. Although prices are often dependent on breed, size, age, and many other factors applicable to your pet.
Price will also vary based on the plans that you get. As aforementioned, some companies have emergency-only coverage and others have additional packages that cover regular vet visits. These variations will change the price of your monthly premium on pet insurance. As expected, the more you choose to pay for pet insurance, the more you will most likely get out of it.
Most vets do not directly take pet insurance so you may have to send your own payments to your insurance provider. Many emergency care centers do take pet insurance directly, though. Unlike regular health insurance, most vets take any type of pet insurance so you do not have to worry about going to a different vet center.
Best Insurance Companies
PetFirst
With over 15 years of experience, PetFirst is a highly rated pet insurance company. The premium costs are relatively low and satisfaction is very high. Prescriptions, dog exam fees, hereditary and congenital issues are covered through PetFirst. On the downside, many people
claim that the reimbursements take a while to come back to you, which is something to consider when choosing your insurance company.
AKC Pet Insurance
The base plan of AKC includes illness and injury coverage, but you can purchase the additional plan that covers exam fees, dental, and other plans. The basic plan is fairly affordable and on the low end of the pet insurance spectrum. Something that sets AKC apart is its app to submit insurance claims. Many customers report that they feel they are getting their money’s worth of their pet insurance with AKC Insurance.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
Founded in 1997, ASPCA has many years of experience and has multiple different plans for your pet. They offer accident-only and accident illness plans as well as optional wellness care plan that is a little more expensive. There are many high reviews of their customer service and care for their clients.
Nationwide
With a household name and insurance experience of over 90 years, Nationwide claims to have covered the most pets and includes coverage on different animals such as birds, reptiles, and other animals. A multi-pet discount is offered, which is ideal for customers that have many animals that they would like to have insurance for. They have a comprehensive coverage plan and a quick payout time.
If you are concerned about prices or are unable to afford pet insurance, discuss different payment or treatment options with your veterinarian. All that matters to most pet owners is that their beloved pets are getting the care and treatment they need.