NEWS Pet insurance helps protect animals from accidents and illnesses.This is how it works [The Idaho Statesman] – Insurance News Network

During the winter months, pets face a host of health hazards from hypothermia to rock salt.

Pet owners can take actions to minimize accidents and be prepared when one does occur by purchasing pet insurance.

Here are some tips:

pet insurance

Like any kind of insurance coverage, pet insurance plans vary and there is no universal best plan, say Caristila licensed producer of property and casualty insurance from Pawlicy Advisor, the national pet insurance marketplace in the United States, sponsored by American Animal Hospital Association.

The best time to buy pet insurance is when your pet is between 6 and 18 months old, Steere says. Pets receive frequent checks during this time of life, including vaccinations, deworming, and spaying/neutering.

“Too many pet parents make the mistake of forgoing their policy when their pet is between 2 and 4 years old, thinking it’s not worth paying for a policy they rarely use,” Steere said by email. “However, if they try to re-enroll later in life after their pet develops health issues, they will be dismayed to learn that those conditions are no longer eligible for coverage.”

Owners can choose a separate insurance plan. Each covers different types of treatment, such as accidents and illnesses, or even just general health checks. The programs fall into several groups, Steere said:

Accident and Sickness Policy: Provides the most comprehensive pet medical coverage available. The plan covers accidental injury and sickness. It covers treatment (including medication) for ear infections, allergies, arthritis, accidental poisoning, congenital disorders, genetic disorders and cancer. It’s the most popular program with pet owners, Steere added.

Accident Only Policy: Covers accidental injuries such as trips to the emergency room for broken bones, stab wounds, and torn ligaments.

Health Policy: Covers the cost of health-related care, including check-ups, vaccinations, parasite prophylaxis and microchips. Not all companies offer this program, but some may offer it as an add-on to a traditional policy.

Comprehensive coverage: Includes accident and sickness policies and add-on health plans. It provides the best coverage for all potential health problems of pets.

Steere said the plan doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions in the pet at the time of enrollment.Dental care that is not related to the injury may not be covered by the policy, depending on Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Pet insurance also fluctuates based on the animal’s breed, sex, age and location, Steere said. For example, older pets will be more expensive to insure than younger pets. Plus, Steere said, dog insurance is more expensive than cat insurance because dogs are more prone to injuries, illnesses, and genetic diseases. Therapy dogs are also more expensive, she added.

In addition to different costs, each policy has variables that clients should not ignore.personal finance website nerd wallet It breaks down the factors you should consider:

Premium: The amount you pay the insurance company each month for your plan.

Deductible: The amount you must pay for pet expenses before your insurance company starts covering the expenses.So if you choose a plan $1,000 deductible, then you must pay your pet’s medical expenses out of pocket before the insurance kicks in. Deductibles are generally inversely related to premiums. In other words, if you pay a higher premium, your policy’s deductible will be lower, and vice versa.

Reimbursement Level: What the insurance company will pay for your medical expenses. Levels can range from partial coverage to full coverage.so if you receive a $500 bill and your reimbursement level is 90%, then the insurance covers $450 its.

Coverage Limit: How much the insurance company will pay for the pet each year.Some providers offer fixed limits such as $8,000while some offer unlimited coverage.

Reviewing and comparing policies can be overwhelming. To find a plan that’s right for you, start looking at Lemonade, Healthy Paws, Spot, Embrace, SPCA And the dodo fetched it. Additionally, consumers should consider contacting a national broker like Pawlicy Advisor to compare plans more easily. Pawlicy Advisor provides free personalized recommendations based on individual needs.

winter sickness

Even if you commit to protecting your pet under your insurance plan, winter can still pose a risk to your animal’s health.

Pets are said to be more prone to certain diseases and conditions during the winter months, such as hypothermia, where the animal’s body temperature is lower than normal veterinary specialist An animal hospital in the Rocky Mountains Fort Rock (Colorado). When an animal’s fur is wet from snow or rain, the animal may experience hypothermia, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Likewise, cold weather makes pets more prone to frostbite, which is freezing of the skin and other tissues. Frostbite occurs on pets’ more exposed areas, such as the nose, toes, ears, and tail. Frostbite is usually not a fatal condition like hypothermia.

As more ice builds up outside, car owners may be salting driveways and filling their vehicles with antifreeze. Both of these chemicals are harmful to animals. Antifreeze contains chemicals that are deadly to cats and dogs, and its sweet smell may appeal to your pet’s taste buds. Rock salt used to melt ice can irritate or burn a dog’s paws. Your animal may lick its own paws to relieve irritation and ingest some of the toxic chemicals in the salt.

Home maintenance publication House Method says there are steps pet owners can take to protect their animals from winter-related diseases:

Do not leave your pet outside for extended periods of time if the average daily temperature is below 45°F.

Dress your pet in a sweater or coat. This is especially important with older pets and short-haired breeds.

If your pet is more comfortable outside, make sure it has a dry, sheltered area where it can rest. You may need to feed them more, as mammals expend more energy keeping their bodies warm in cold weather.

Regularly check your vehicle’s radiator for leaks, and clean them up when they do. Keep antifreeze out of the reach of pets.

If you buy antifreeze, buy one that contains propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol, as the latter is more toxic to pets than the former.

After a walk outside, clean your pet’s feet to remove potential salt residue. Alternatively, you can let your dog wear boots.

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