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Pet Insurance 101
Pet insurance has been increasing in popularity recently, due in large part to the
advances of veterinary science. Vets today can offer treatments and procedures
that were unheard of just a few years ago, such as radiation therapy, transplants, and MRIs.
However, these new treatments are not cheap; veterinary costs have risen over 70% in the past five years,
to over $19 billion last year.
Pet health policies are similar to human insurance policies; annual premiums, deductibles,
and various coverage based upon what the owner chooses. Most plans also have co-pays
and caps that limit how much will be paid out anually.
Items to be aware of:
some policies won't cover older pets
certain breeds are excluded from coverage
pre-existing conditions are normally excluded
most insurers offer a multi-pet discount
Policy costs vary widely, depending on the animal and the different packages
that the owner can choose. Some packages are comprehensive, including such things
as annual checkups and vaccinations, spaying/neutering, death benefits and even reimbursement
for offering a reward for lost pets. Other plans cover only accidents and illness.
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