Pet Health Plans and Their Exclusions

Pet health plans cover usually not all health conditions a pet may develop during its life. When you compare pet health insurance, find out which pet health issues are usually excluded from coverage.

It is vital to know exactly which health problems are excluded altogether from a policy and which may be covered over what length of time.

Usually pet insurance companies will pay for expenses arising from medical pet care services in case of an accident or an acute illness.

These can happen unexpectedly, are treated and ideally a pet makes a full recovery.

If your Pet's Pet Health Record shows a Chronic Illness

 

If your pet develops a chronic health condition or disease during its life, most pet health plans will not pay for chronic pet health issues once the policy is due for a renewal or if the total of your maximum benefit (per-incident, annual or lifetime) is reached.

A chronic condition is then classified as “pre-existent” and therefore excluded from coverage in a new policy.

 

 

Compare Pet Insurance regarding Age Limits

Pets are getting older and if a certain age limit is reached it will be very hard to get pet insurance without having to pay high premiums.

It is worth to compare pet health insurance policies of different companies to find out about what can be covered in older animals.

Every pet health plan defines age limitations differently depending on species, breed and pet health records.

Older pets may be eligible only for basic accidental and acute illness cover, sometimes they may not qualify any more. This is especially important to know, if you intend to rescue an older dog or cat !

 

 

Hereditary and Congenital Pet Health Issues

The list of exclusions of hereditary (inherited) diseases and health problems and certain breeds can be long and will slightly differ from one insurer to another.

Before you buy any pet health insurance, make sure your pet's breed is not listed. Premiums will be usually higher from the beginning and you need to enquire about age related limits in coverage.

Congenital or with born conditions may be covered by a policy. Make sure you know, if the policy defines a timely limit depending on when the health problem first has been noticed and/ or diagnosed.

 

 

Pregnancy- and Birthing related Pet Health Issues

To avoid great disappointment after having bought a policy, read the small print thoroughly before you buy: breeding and pregnancy problems are usually excluded.

Procedures and surgery around parturition (birthing) may not be covered.

This is especially disappointing after e.g. a cesarian section which is major surgery requiring expensive medical care and often hospitalization or intensive after care.

So make sure you know this beforehand and ask the pet insurance company, if there is an option available.

 

See here what should be included in a pet health planand what options you have got.