Do Pets Need Insurance? Part 3

Clients often ask if pet insurance is necessary, and whether or not these products are worth the expense.  Let’s continue to look at how pet insurance works, and explain how these products can benefit your pet.

Another reason the Kupkees chose Trupanion for their pets was its commitment to covering breed-specific disorders.  Specifically, Grendel and Zohan are dachshunds, and dachshunds are at risk for severe and debilitating back injuries.  While some back problems can be managed medically, many others require immediate, surgical intervention.  Left untreated, these injuries almost always cause paralysis.  The costs for back surgery can range anywhere between $4500 - $6000!  Similar expenses can occur when treating other breed-specific problems, such as hip dysplasia and certain cancers.  Many pet insurance companies do not cover inherited or breed-specific health problems, so be sure to ask whether or not they are covered before signing on the dotted line.

Do Pets Need Insurance? Part 2

Clients often ask if their pets should have health insurance, and whether or not these products are worth the expense.  Let’s continue to discuss how pet insurance works, and explain how these products can benefit your pet.

When shopping for a plan, be sure to find out if congenital disorders are covered under the policy.  A congenital disorder is a condition that exists at birth, develops before birth, or develops during the first month of life.  Grendel has micro-vascular disease of the liver.  It is a common condition in small or undersized dogs, and is therefore considered a congenital disorder.  Since Trupanion covers congenital disorders, they are perfectly suited to insure her.  

This is also one of the many we reasons we recommend Trupanion to our clients.  If you plan to shop around, be advised that many pet insurance companies exclude these types of problems from their coverage plans.

Do Pets Need Insurance? Part 1

Clients often ask if their pets should have health insurance, and whether or not these products are worth the expense.  In this series we’ll discuss how pet insurance works, and explain how these products can benefit your pet.

Grendel and her Trupanion Insurance Card!

Pet health insurance plans are indemnity contracts.  This means that the bill for veterinary care is paid by the client at the time services are rendered.  The client then files a claim and gets reimbursed. Pet insurance can literally be a lifesaver when the expense of an unexpected illness or accident is more than a family’s budget can accomodate.  While many plans cover routine wellness in addition to accidents and illness, the premiums for these plans are considerably higher.

As veterinary medicine becomes more advanced, new procedures and breakthrough treatments offer new hope for ailments that were once considered incurable.  With pet insurance, these advanced types of treatment become affordable for every pet parent.  Grendel and Zohan each have a policy with Trupanion.  While their daddy is a doctor, certain procedures, such as back surgeries and chemotherapy, are generally not available in general practice.  Trupanion gives their pet parents the peace of mind that comes from knowing that life-saving care is always within their reach.