Pet Insurance in California
Know your Pre-existing Conditions
Another consideration to keep in mind is that your pet’s pre-existing conditions most likely won’t be covered by most pet insurance. An unfortunate reality is that pet insurance typically doesn’t cover preexisting conditions your pet has before you signed up for a policy, though some cover preexisting conditions after a waiting period (typically one year or longer). This means that if your pet has a genetic condition, for example, you’ll have to pay for any complications that arise from that without their support. Since your policy will only cover events that happen to your pet after the policy has started, it’s a great idea to get pet insurance early on. The earlier you get it, the more likely it is that your insurance will apply to your pet’s future visits to the vet in California. And, if you have a breed-specific condition, such as hip dysplasia in Labradors, make sure that it's covered. You should read reviews from current and former customers to get an idea of how the pet insurance company operates and the quality of its customer service.
The scoop on Deductibles
The deductible is a key component of insurance plans that is critical to understand. Simply, it is the amount you pay on your own before your insurance policy starts to cover anything. The deductible can vary based on your plan and can be either a “per incident” or “annual” type of deductible. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your monthly premium but keep in mind, this may increase your out-of-pocket costs should you have to file a claim for treatment by your vet in California. So, it’s not purely about finding a plan with the lowest out premium, as those plans likely have higher deductibles and more limited coverage than comparatively more expensive plans from the same insurer. A per-incident deductible must be met for each “incident” or related group of claims. For example, if your dog has a knee issue and is treated, then the following week, breaks his leg, they would be considered different incidents, and each would have its deductible hurdle. An annual deductible by contrast is the amount for the entire year that must be spent before coverage initiates, regardless of the incident.
How Does California Pet Health Insurance Work?
Like health insurance for yourself, pet insurance is a type of contract between you and an insurance company. You pay a monthly or annual premium in exchange for coverage of certain medical costs. Premiums can range in price depending on the type of coverage you choose, the age and breed of your pet, and where you reside, whether it’s in California or elsewhere. You'll want to consider all the details to get the best pet insurance cost estimate. Also, reimbursements come after you pay for medical care. While your insurance will pay the reimbursement rate according to the plan for most of the cost of your pet’s care (as long as the service is covered, of course), they don’t reimburse you until later on, when you file a claim. This means that at the time the service is provided, you have to pay the full cost upfront. It’s important to know this before getting that expensive surgery for your dog because you don’t want to break the bank if money is tight at the time. It’s wise to look into your policy’s specific stipulations on processing times before signing, as some companies can take longer than others. Remember that most insurance companies will have a deductible and reimbursement limit, so it's essential to read your policy thoroughly before signing up.
Factors that Impact California Pet Insurance Cost
Pet insurers review a handful of core variables in determining the prices they charge. One of the factors that determine the monthly premium is the breed of the dog or cat. Certain breeds are more predisposed to illness requiring treatment than others and this is in part due to their genetic makeup. Age is another factor that influences cost with older pets costing more to insure as they tend to generate more medical costs than younger pets. Unfortunately, if your older dog has a medical issue and you don’t have insurance, you are out of luck. The best bets are to start insurance at a younger age so you will have it when you need it and not be subject to exclusion based on a preexisting condition. Location also factors into the cost of pet insurance as treatment costs differ as do most things depending on where you live, so the cost to insure the same animal in California could be more or less than another area of the country.
Is Pet Insurance Worth Getting?
It can be scary and stressful when your pet experiences illness or has an accident. In many cases, you'll have to rush to call your vet and schedule an appointment and get them treated to the tune of hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Sudden accidents and health issues are out of our control, and in many cases and they are bound to happen and are part of being a pet parent. What is in your control is exploring pet insurance options in California to reduce the stress and financial risk that comes with pet ownership. Only you can evaluate and decide if pet insurance is worth it.
How California Pet insurance differs from your health insurance
While there are some major similarities between pet and human health insurance, there are also some key differences that are good to understand. First, while human health insurance has provider networks and can restrict your doctor selection, most frequently, pet insurers allow you to take your pet to any licensed veterinarian near California. Be sure to review the policy and be certain this is the case, and if it is not, consider getting at least another quote. Secondly, with pet insurance, you generally pay the entire bill upfront and then get reimbursed based on your plan details as opposed to human health insurance where the provider generally facilitates the claim process.
