Pet Insurance Industry Review

While it may not have reached the public radio international audience, national radio held - during its most recent incessant membership campaign - a feature on pet insurance. Specifically, the discussion was with a hedgehog pet owner who, although she had pet insurance, found herself in unfamiliar territory. The program warrants some serious thought, sort of.

The pet hedgehog had a reaction to sutures left in place after a cancer surgery. Then, because of continued scratching at the sutures, it was placed on anti-psychotics You’ve just got to love the far-reaching tentacles of the pharmaceutical industry. Her annual Veterinary Pet Insurance policy premium of $80.00 left her with a $1,900.00 out-of-pocket expense on a $2,700.00 vet bill. But, as the hedgehog owner said of her hedgehog, “it’s a very cute thing to watch.”

When searching for your pet’s insurance, keep a few things in mind. First, your pet will need a complete physical. Plan on at least a day for this endeavor. Several factors come into play on why this is so.

You’ll have to bathe the animal. A properly bathed and groomed pet means a less likely occurrence of that all-too embarrassing pet shedding moment under public scrutiny. While the pet bath can certainly be accomplished by the more self-sufficient among us, consider grooming your dog or cat at one of the many pet grooming facilities across the country. Reservations are necessary, of course.

Your visit to the vet may take longer than expected should your pet’s appointment coincide with a visit by one of the representatives from the above mentioned pharmaceutical manufacturer. While patient care matters, it goes without saying that the visiting pharmaceutical sales rep in her short black skirt or her massively revealing and mostly unbuttoned blouse will trump your pet’s scheduled appointment just as she will trump your scheduled appointment with your own physician. Just be patient and wait. You’ve got all day.

Some of the important questions to ask regarding your foray into the non-socialized arena of the pet insurance industry are listed below. They are only a guide in helping you ask the right questions.

1 - Are genetic conditions covered? Certain animal breeds are prone to certain hereditary illnesses. Many pet insurance plans will not cover expensive surgery/treatment costs associated with genetic conditions. This is not to be confused with pre-existing conditions discussed in question #6 below.

2 - Is dental work covered? The last thing you want to be faced with is an ongoing dental bill for your hedgehog. Also find out whether the coverage applies to a small animal vet doing the dental work versus, say, having a hedgehog dentist doing the work.

3 - Does the pet insurance plan have a benefit schedule? Make sure that your chosen pet insurance agent provides you with a list of diagnoses along with the percentage or maximum amount paid by the carrier for your pet’s treatment(s).

4 - Does the insurance cover rehabilitation and nursing center care?  This one is important in case the pet accident requires a lengthy rehabilitation.  Your demanding schedule, professional and social, does not include time for pet rehab.  Failure to ask this question could result in a schedule altering experience. 

5 - What exactly is covered?  Or not covered?  Make sure the pet insurance company provides a list of reasons why they won’t cover certain conditions.  If you’re concerned about global warming, pay special attention to question #7 below.   

6 - Related to question #4, does the insurance cover the various forms of neurosis that tend to develop in pets as a result of their association with human beings?  While all domestic cats are inherently born with this issue, many dogs develop mental problems over time, depending on their owners teaching abilities and any mental garbage they may be carrying with them.   

7 - Does the plan cover health issues resulting from secondary smoke inhalation? This is another of those questions requiring critical thought.  Don’t misunderestimate the seriousness of global warming to your pet’s well being.  With a substantial increase in wildfires (a direct relationship to global warming) across the continent, smoke from these fires covers large regions of the country, for weeks and months on end.  Among the many side effects of secondary smoke inhalation, it’s imperative to know whether your pet’s insurance policy will cover treatment for chronic bronchitis.

8 - Was the pet born prematurely? Just as with humans, premature births can lead to health complications.  You’ll want to make sure this area of the policy is covered in detail.   

9 - Will you pay higher premiums due to low levels of intelligence (both on your part and your pet’s)?  This question is often overlooked.  For obvious reasons.

10 - Are there seasonal rates for pet insurance? Sounds strange, but sometimes we overlook the most basic of basics. You’re considering pet bunnies for easter presents. Should you start shopping around for rabbit insurance in November for a rabbit that has yet to be born? If there are off-season rates, does the insurance cover a non-existent easter rabbit?

11 - What coverage is there for the abduction of your pet? Urban sprawl presents problems for more than just a city’s infrastructure. Increasingly, homes move out into the wilderness and force wild animals to continually adapt to man’s encroachment. One of the ways they do this is through the abduction of defenseless pets that might mindlessly stray too far from the food bowl and litter box. Pet owners, used to the comforts of city life, have reported seeing coyotes the size of large grizzly bears perform their abductions on the house cat in the middle of the day.

There you have it. After considering these 11 must-ask questions, you might be asking yourself is pet insurance worth it? Make sure the insurance company spells out in detail the answers to these questions. Check with professional sources for a more comprehensive list of questions to ask. Your neighborhood pet walking services associate may be able to provide some assistance with the question gathering process.

Next up, your pet’s relationship with nursing homes and the powerful funeral home lobby.