You never know what’s going to befall your dog. If you have to take him to an expensive vet, then you’ll be glad you had the foresight to get insurance. Here are a few things you need to look at when trying to find the best dog insurance company.
Experience
First and foremost, you will want to see how long the company has been during business. As with most things, the more experienced the company is, the better. This isn’t always the case though, as bigger companies aren’t always the best choice.
License
Before you look at anything, you need to make sure that the company is licensed to do business in your state. You may want to think about the future too. If you ever plan to move and take your dog with you, the company will need to be licensed in that state as well.
Cost
Of course you’ll definitely want to take a look at the costs of getting insurance for your dog. Needless to say, cheaper plans aren’t always the way to go. Conversely, you may not necessarily need the most expensive plan on the market either. Consider your dog’s situation and your budget. Just like with other types of insurance, be prepared for premium hikes in the future too. They will especially increase as your dog gets older.
When looking at the fine details of your dog insurance policy, make sure that you pay attention to the payout limit. This is the maximum amount that the company will pay for any one claim. If you have a payout limit of $1,000 and a vet bill of $4,500, you’ll have to make up the difference.
Discounts
The best dog insurance company will offer discounts of some sort. One of the most common is for owners of multiple pets. If you cover all of them with one company, you could stand to save quite a bit of money.
Claims
When looking to get insurance for your dog, make sure that you take the claims process into account. You’ll want it to go as smoothly as possible. Some companies require you to pay the vet the entire bill, then wait for them to pay you the money back.
Others make you get the vet fill out forms as part of the claims process. Insurance companies sometimes restrict the vet that you can take your dog to. If you take him to one that’s out-of-network, you’ll have to pay a higher cost.
Wellness
You don’t only need to go to the vet when there’s something wrong. Your dog needs to see the vet at least once a year for a wellness exam anyway. Since this is highly recommended, then look for a dog insurance policy that will cover preventative care. It may not cover all areas such as dental cleanings, vaccinations, and heartworm medication.
Having insurance for your dog would certainly come in handy if something major unexpectedly popped up. If you do decide to get it, then keep these tips in mind so that you can find the best dog insurance company.
