Choosing A Better Insurance Plan

Two Factors To Consider When Choosing A Senior Dog Insurance Policy

by Isabella Torres

As your dog ages, health complications can become more of the norm. Just like you and your family's medical care, pet care can be expensive at times. But pet insurance can help. If you don't have a policy for your furry family member, but you're considering the idea, here are two of the most critical factors you want to keep in mind during your search.

Upper Limit

All insurance companies are not the same, especially when it comes to their upper limit guidelines. The upper limit is the maximum age at which a company will insure a dog. For example, for some companies, the maximum age may be ten years, but for another company, the threshold might be 14 years. 

You should research this information beforehand because the company will not likely extend a policy to you if your dog is older than their upper limit. However, keep in mind that if your dog is under the age guideline, if you establish a policy now, your dog will continue to receive coverage even after their age. The upper limit is generally only a standard for coverage for new policies. Also, keep in mind that some companies don't even have an upper limit for enrollment.  

Deductible

While the premise behind pet insurance from a place like The Insured Pet is the same as your health insurance plan, there are specific differences when it comes to the manner in which deductibles are set-up. Policies for older pets generally allow you to pay your deductible on a per-incident basis or an annual basis. For example, the insurance company might offer a per-incident deductible of $200 or a $1200 yearly deductible. 

With the annual deductible, not until you have paid $1200 in out of pocket cost will the insurance company kick in financially. Whereas with the per-incident setup, each time the animal has a doctor's visit that exceeds $200, the insurance company will cover any amount over the $200. With older dogs, health concerns sometimes become more recurrent. So, if your pet visits the doctor more frequently, an annual deductible might make more sense for you. However, your financial needs will help you decide which option is best. 

In the same way you took your time to decide which health insurance plan was best for the needs of your family, you should take a similar approach when it comes to insuring your pet. Take your time so that you can make the right decision.

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