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When TV star Lassie became the first dog covered by pet insurance issued in the United States, it was good that the famous collie wasn’t limping. When it comes down to it, dogs, like humans, The usual It cannot cover existing state (although some providers do).
The number of dog owners who insure their pets is increasing. According to the American Pet Products Association’s (APPA) 2021-2022 National Pet Owner Survey, 20% of dog owners have dog health insurance, up from 15% in 2018. In 2020, 3.1 million pets will be insured, with about 83% being dogs, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) reports.
Why is interest in pet insurance growing?
Veterinarian costs are rising as veterinary medicine offers new treatment options and advances in technology. Cranial cruciate ligament repair, total hip replacement, chemotherapy, cataract surgery. The possibility of treating our canine pets today is sometimes miraculous and often expensive.
More than 90% of APPA survey respondents have taken their dog to the veterinarian at least once in the past 12 months. Some pet owner said he visited three times a year. Consumer spending on animal health and medical products has increased each year for the past two decades.
With dog owners visiting more veterinarians, buying more medications, and opting for advanced diagnostic and corrective surgeries, pet insurance seems like a no-brainer. Yes, insurance premiums are increasing along with the increase in veterinary medical expenses.
According to NAPHIA, the average annual cost of accident and illness coverage in 2020 was $594 per dog. The average annual cost for accident-only coverage was $218. Your dog’s age and health, where you live and the coverage options you choose will determine the actual cost.
Before you join one of the 20 companies that can insure your pet, the American Veterinary Medical Association requires that providers identify any pre-existing conditions, including any illnesses or conditions that your pet currently has or has had. It is recommended that you define it as past.
Existing state varies by provider
The National Association of Insurance Supervisors explains that most pet insurance companies exclude pre-existing conditions and genetic or congenital conditions from coverage. Although we make a distinction between “incurable diseases,” AKC Pet Insurance makes no such distinction and offers the most comprehensive pre-existing illness coverage of any major provider*.
Researching insurance plans can help you understand what the following terms mean.
existing state Generally not covered by insurance and includes illnesses or injuries that occurred or recurred, were present or exhibited symptoms, whether or not diagnosed by a veterinarian prior to insurance or during the waiting period for the policy. increase.
medical history review This is what the insurance company will need before they can determine the cost of your coverage and whether your dog has a pre-existing condition that they cannot cover. Includes review of health records.
A curable or chronic (incurable) condition Differentiated by some insurance companies. If an existing condition is curable and resolved, it will likely be covered, whereas a chronic condition that is incurable and likely to recur will be covered. , which provides comprehensive coverage for both types of conditions.
damage or condition on both sides It can affect both sides of the body. Dogs who experience conditions such as a torn cruciate ligament in the knee joint are more likely to tear the ligaments in the other knee. condition, it does not cover the same injury on the other side of the body, even if it occurs after the policy has started.
Insurers may identify these conditions as pre-existing
Note that the examples below may not apply to all policies. It is important to read how the insurer you are considering defines pre-existing conditions.
- Your dog was constantly licking his paws before the policy and was later diagnosed with allergies.Allergies are considered pre-existing and are not covered.
- Previously diagnosed chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid problems, heart conditions, gastrointestinal conditions, skin and ear conditions may not be covered.
- Degenerative conditions may not be covered if previously diagnosed, such as joint or ligament deterioration.
- If your dog has been diagnosed with, or exhibits symptoms of, any of the following conditions prior to registration: Associated recurrence may be excluded for 12 months from the date of the last episode. Respiratory infections, urinary tract/bladder infections, vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders, or cancer.
- If your dog is diagnosed with an illness in an area of the body for which the underlying cause has not been identified, a diagnosis in the same area within 12 months may not be covered.
most common claim
NAPHIA reports that the most common dog health insurance claims in 2020 were urinary tract infections, ear infections, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, skin conditions, arthritis, allergies, lameness, vomiting, seizures, and eye injuries. It was for the state of These may be pre-existing conditions in your dog. Some plans do not cover certain geriatric conditions, offer only partial coverage for visits to specialists, or set maximum reimbursements per incident or per year. There is
According to AVMA, there’s no magic formula to determine if pet health insurance is right for you and your dog. Best to discuss with your veterinarian, and be sure to ask your insurance company how they define pre-existing conditions that are not covered.
The hard truth is that most pet insurance providers exclude pre-existing conditions and refuse to cover injuries or illnesses that occur before or during the policy.AKC Pet Insurance is among the leading providers provides the most comprehensive pre-existing condition coverage in learn more.
*Not available in all states. Compensation for pre-existing conditions requires a waiting period of 12 months.
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