For the dedicated pet parent, purchasing pet insurance seems like a no-brainer. In addition to helping pay medical bills in the event of a serious injury, pet insurance can also offer assistance for things like medication and preventative care. It is important to note, however, that there are several common pet insurance exclusions that pet parents often overlook. Although these common exclusions do not negate the value of pet insurance, it is important to be familiar with them so that pet parents can ensure that their policy will take care of their four-legged companions when they need it the most.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Like a good deal of human health insurance, pet insurance will often not cover a pet’s pre-existing condition. Dogs that suffer from chronic liver diseases, for example, may not have their treatment, medication, or expenses covered under a newly acquired pet insurance policy.
Our recommendation : Buy pet insurance for your pet as early as possible in their life to ensure full coverage.
Prosthetics and Mobility Aids
Should a situation arise in which a dog needs a prosthetic limb or mobility aid, such as a wheelchair, it is possible that pet insurance will not cover these expenses. Although these situations are rare, this type of treatment is expensive, and pet parents should seek to be familiar with their insurance company’s policy.
Pet Training
Although pet training is an important part of responsible pet parenting, it is not typically classified as preventative or emergency care and is typically excluded from pet insurance coverage. Fortunately for pet parents, there are other forms of financial assistance available for pet training, such as scholarships and free community programs, in many locations.
Breeding, Pregnancy, and Whelping
Some pet insurance policies may cover breeding-related costs, but many do not. Things like stud fees, exams, and typical whelping supplies and costs are often not covered, so pet parents who want to breed their animals should consider searching for a plan that offers some breeding-related benefits.
Cremation and Burial
Like humans, the end-of-life expenses for pets can be considerable. Unfortunately, many pet insurance policies do not cover the costs of end-of-life services, such as cremation and burial. However, they may cover euthanasia under certain circumstances.
Although pet insurance policies are a wonderful way for pet parents to protect their beloved companion, each policy has unique exclusions. In order to determine which pet insurance policy is best suited for their furry friends and their pocketbooks, pet parents should take the time to shop around for a policy that meets any unique needs or circumstances a pet may have. Even though each pet insurance policy is different, many of them promise to cover preventative and emergency care, while some policies may cover additional costs, such as breeding, whelping, DNA testing, organ transplants, or stem cell therapy.
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