Maine Pet Insurance
What are the Types of Maine Pet Insurance Plans?
Pets bring joy, companionship, and unconditional love, but sometimes they can also come with expensive and unexpected veterinary bills. To help in offsetting these costs, you may be considering different pet insurance plans and wondering which type is best for you and your pet. The process of researching pet insurance can be overwhelming, where do you even start? In the pet insurance marketplace, there are three main types of pet insurance plans for pet owners in Maine to consider, they are Comprehensive, Accident-only, and Wellness. Many carriers offer optionality in the core plan components related to the deductible, reimbursement rate, and coverage so you can build a plan that falls within your budget and offer you protection and support in paying for your pet’s health needs.
Take these steps to find the right plan
With such a wide variety of pet insurance companies out there to choose from in Maine, it can be daunting trying to select the best one for your situation. Every pet and every budget are different, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for pet insurance. Knowing how to effectively research pet insurance companies and options can be super helpful to ensure you find the right plan. The first thing to consider is to understand your pet’s needs. Some important things to consider are how frequently they get sick and whether there are common ailments that tend to emerge. How active are they? Are they generally healthy and full of life? This matters because the policy you’d get for a large old dog with a pre-existing bone condition presents a set of needs very different from a young female cat that doesn’t go outside and is in perfect health, for instance. Therefore, it’s worth it that you understand what kind of coverage your pet needs before committing to a specific insurance company.
How Maine 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 Maine. 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.
Filing a Maine Pet Insurance Claim
After you have paid your veterinarian and hopefully all is well with your four-legged buddy, it’s time to file your claim and get reimbursed. One thing to consider when looking at plans is the process the insurer has in place for claims processing. Do they offer multiple ways to submit a claim such as via fax, mail, email, upload, and phone app? Keep the vet bill handy as you will need this to file a claim and once received, the insurance carrier will review the details, your pet’s medical history, and your coverage elements to determine the reimbursement. One thing to note when reviewing quotes is whether the carrier uses the actual billed amount or their estimate of what a given procedure costs. This might end up confusing after you file a claim if you don’t cover this in your plan review. Also make note of how long it takes them on average to process a claim, another point of comparison. The processing time is usually 14-30 days.
Types of Maine Pet Insurance Providers
Some companies specialize in certain types of care, offering great reimbursement rates for expensive surgeries, while others are more general and focus on more routine care in places like Maine. A large part of choosing an insurance company that accounts for your pet’s health conditions and maximizes your benefit is knowing the services your pet is most likely to need. You would be wise to also consider the size of the insurance carrier as smaller, newer insurance companies are more likely to have significant price appreciation than larger, more established firms. It’s always a good idea to check out the website and customer reviews, and don’t hesitate to engage them with any questions you have, that’s also a great way to get a sense of how they manage customer service.
Know your Policy Details
Read your policy carefully to determine how much you will be reimbursed for each claim and the deductible amount you are responsible for. Generally, the higher the deductible (the amount you pay before benefits kick in) the lower the monthly premium. Some companies serving Maine offer pet insurance discounts that can save you money on premiums, such as enrolling multiple pets. Insurance companies typically have a waiting period before covering any medical costs – be sure to read your policy closely to ensure you understand how long this wait is for the plan you're considering.