TeamPet health insurance remains doubted by many pet owners. The uncertainty that surrounds this industry is due to the misconceptions that we need to demystify. It is normal to have myths being spread around. However, it should not be at the expense of our pet’s health and well-being. Believing these myths means you will be directly denying your buddy a chance to access top-notch medical care. It will also be costly for you when you finally visit the vet, and you have to pay hefty bills for a procedure or treatment.
Most people worry that they will not keep up with the premiums or the pet insurance company. However, one fact that cannot be avoided is that vet bills gradually increase, and procedures become more sophisticated and costly. Therefore without insurance cover, you will have to part with thousands of dollars to cater for your pet’s treatment and care. In this article, we will try and demystify some of the myths regarding pet insurance.
Myth 1: I’ll Save up for my Pets Medication
Most pet owners dismiss the need for taking up pet insurance and instead opt for saving up in case of an unfortunate event that the pet falls ill. It may sound like a good and thoughtful idea; however, this may be only fine if you save up large amounts of money. If you are putting aside small amounts, it may only be helpful when your pet is going for routine checkups.
If your four-legged buddy falls seriously ill and requires maximum care and expensive procedures, then you may fall short. Even worse, if your pet requires medical care for the rest of its life, then you may not be able to keep with the rising medical cost demand. Therefore to be on the safe side, you need to take up a medical insurance cover that will ensure your pet receives good medical care at all times, even when you are not in a good financial position to cater for some procedures.
Myth 2: I’ll take up the Insurance when they are Older and Need it more
We all tend to assume that pets are born healthy and may only develop health complications later on in their life. In theory, this may seem like a sensible thing to do, but what if your dog swallows something in the trash can or you realize that they have a lump under their skin. You will panic on such occasions, especially if you cannot raise finances towards their medication. The other problem with this approach is that most insurance companies raise their premiums to insure older pets since they become more susceptible to disease as they age. Also, some pet insurance companies have an age limitation, so your pet might miss out on a good insurance cover due to their age.
Myth 3: All Insurance Policies are Similar, so I might as well opt for the cheaper one
People do not realize how different policies are until you are forced to chip in your pet’s treatment since you pay less for your policy. Most of us take up pet insurance with the thought that our pet will not get ill, and if it does, the treatment will not exceed a certain amount. Additionally, suppose we pay for a higher insurance policy once, and the pet does not get ill. In that case, we may see it as waste, like the car owner who avoids taking comprehensive insurance since they have never been involved in an accident. Policies are different, and thus if you decide to go the insurance way look for one that will give your pet full coverage. A good insurance policy should:
- Offer generous illness and accident coverage
- Have flexible premiums and deductibles
- Offer preventive care coverage
Myth 4: Filing a Claim is difficult and Time-consuming
With time you learn that filing a claim and requesting reimbursements are easy and can be done with minimal paperwork. But how will you know if you never try? At first, it may not seem easy since you are still learning the ropes on how to go about it. Filing a claim can be as easy as taking a snapshot of the invoice and sending it to your insurance company via email.
Myth 5: Pet Insurance is for Pets that have Complicated Conditions
We do not always hope for the worst, but what if it happens? How ready will you be to deal with the problem? It is a no-brainer that insurance is best for complicated conditions, but what if your pet develops a condition that needs long–term treatment. For example, what if they develop an allergy that needs ongoing treatment? These recurring costs can accrue, but pet insurance will help you alleviate the financial hit.
Bottom Line
The pet insurance and policies world may seem confusing and expensive to many. But at the end of the day, you have to put your pet’s health first and also your peace of mind. Putting money aside every month may seem like a viable option. However, you have to put aside large amounts of savings every month for the savings to be useful. Therefore it’s best to look away from such myths and decide what is best for your pet’s health.
