Animals, Business

When can I enroll my puppy or kitten for pet insurance?

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By Kaleem Bhatti

A pet insurance plan is a type of insurance that pays for your pet’s medical expenses in the event of an accident or illness. For instance, if you notice your dog limping one day, you take them to the veterinarian. Your veterinarian determines that an infected abscess on your dog’s paw is the culprit and suggests antibiotics. Pet insurance may be able to assist by paying for such an unforeseen qualifying medical expense or reimburse you for it. 

When should you get pet insurance?

Many pet owners are concerned that their canine or kitten family members are too young (or too old) for a pet insurance plan to be of much use. Spending money on insurance may seem unnecessary when your pet seems to be in good health. But among the things you need to think about are the main reasons people get pet insurance: to protect themselves from financial danger and to guarantee their pets have access to vital medical care. In the worst-case scenario, insurance cover may enable you to avoid spending thousands of dollars on your pet’s vital medical care. Although it’s a good idea to have insurance overall, there are some situations where you might rely on the protection offered by your policy much more than other times, such as in the summer or winter when the extremes of the weather present larger threats to pet safety.

So, taking everything into account, when is the ideal time to purchase pet insurance? Let us take a look on when is the best time to get pet insurance, dog insurance or cat insurance for your pet.

Get Pet Insurance the Earlier the Better

The best time to buy pet insurance is the day you bring your new family member home. Actually, the majority of owners purchase pet health insurance within six months of getting a new dog or cat. This is because pet insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Early pet insurance enrollment ensures that any changes in your pet’s health will be covered by your policy.

For instance, you might believe there is minimal need to purchase pet insurance if you adopt a two-year-old dog because they are still young and healthy. However, data indicate that 80% of dogs show early signs of gum disease before they are three years old. Dental procedures and extractions can cost up to $1,000.

You’ll be totally liable for paying those vet fees out-of-pocket if you don’t have pet insurance, many of which cover periodontal disease.

Because threats to your pet’s health exist all year long and are amplified during specific seasons, it’s a good idea to think about pet insurance as soon as possible. When you first bring your new puppy or kitten home, they may be healthy, but by the spring, they may have seasonal allergies. The risk of hypothermia during the winter and dehydration during the summer are similar, especially if you spend a lot of time outside.

When should one purchase pet insurance?

In the summer and winter, dangerous occurrences happen more frequently, which causes an increase in insurance claims. However, depending on where you live, these might be everyday or seasonal health dangers for your pets. 

You will get a higher lifetime value from your pet insurance if you insure it when your pet is still a young animal. Additionally, it will increase your financial security in case you are diagnosed with a major illness. The cost of emergency surgery can reach $5,000, even though many pet parents can afford a routine visit to the veterinarian.

You will only be responsible for a portion of your vet expenditures thanks to an accident and illness pet insurance plan. For instance, once the insurance provider reimburses you, you would only be out $500 if your pet insurance plan covered 90% of your veterinary expenses (after your deductible is met).

The main benefit of dog insurance or cat insurance is, of course, the peace of mind it will bring you. By doing this, you will guarantee that your pet has access to the best veterinarian treatment available and stop them from getting a condition that is already present but isn’t covered by your pet insurance.