We like to protect and insure our most valuable things: our houses, cars, and other prized possessions. Another thing that is important to so many of us is our dogs. Dogs are a gift and bring so much joy to people. Because of this, investing in dog insurance is a great, practical way to ensure our dogs stay safe and that we have the funds needed to maintain the well-being of our furry friends.
Buying dog insurance is more than just committing to the first option you see; you should carefully consider all your options and ask some critical questions. Today, we’re here to give you six questions you should ask when buying dog insurance. By asking yourself these questions, you could save a lot of money and find the best insurance for your beloved dog.
1. What Does It Cover?
The first question you must ask when buying dog insurance is, “What does it cover?” You should ask yourself what you want your dog insurance to cover. Some plans cover accidents and injuries, while other dog insurance policies cover pre-existing medical conditions. Still, others have plans that cover both. Think about what is most important to you for the well-being of your dog. Is your dog accident-prone? Do they have any pre-existing medical conditions? What you want your dog insurance plan to cover should inform you as you look for a dog insurance policy.
2. What Does It Cost?
The second question you should ask is, “What does this dog insurance cost?” For the most part, you’ll find that the dog insurance policies that cost more also offer more benefits. However, buying the most expensive, all-inclusive dog insurance policy on the market is sometimes not feasible. Consider your current budget, and think about what you can afford at this point in time. You shouldn’t be getting a dog insurance plan that costs so much you can’t afford to take care of yourself.
3. What is the Waiting Period?
The third question to ask when buying dog insurance is “What is the waiting period?” Most dog insurance policies require that you wait a certain amount of time after signing up to start using the insurance, with some having waiting periods of up to several months for specific conditions. If your dog is in need of urgent medical treatment, you’re going to want to look for policies that have a short waiting period or even none at all. On the other hand, if you invest in dog insurance early and do it as a preventative measure, you might be fine with waiting a little bit before making any claims.
4. What is the Age Eligibility?
The fourth question you must ask yourself is, “What is the age eligibility?” Dog insurance companies recognize that if a dog is either below or above a certain age bracket, you’re probably more likely to take advantage of their insurance policy as much as possible. Because of this, many policies have an age requirement. Usually, the dog must fall between the ages of eight weeks and ten years. This isn’t the case for all dog insurance policies, but it’s something to look into, especially if you’re trying to insure a young puppy or an elderly dog.
5. Will the Premium Increase Once a Claim is Made?
The fifth question to ask is, “Will the premium increase once a claim is made?” When buying dog insurance, reading the fine print is extremely important because of reasons like this. Oftentimes, dog insurance companies will increase the monthly or annual premium once a claim is made. Sometimes it’s only a little bit, but other times, it can be a substantial amount. Fully read the fine print of any dog insurance policy you are considering, and make sure you fully understand any premium increases before purchasing dog insurance.
6. What Do Others Say?
The sixth and final question you should ask is, “What do others say?” The best way to understand a dog insurance plan is to see what people who have that plan say about it. If you have any friends who are currently paying for a dog insurance policy, ask them to see what they think of it. Ask them whether they think their dog insurance is worth it and how their experience with that specific company has been. Online reviews are another great option if you don’t know anyone who uses dog insurance. Try to read as many reviews as possible to see people’s opinions of that dog insurance.
Conclusion
We hope this article was helpful for you as you consider buying dog insurance. By asking yourself these six questions, you can save yourself a lot of money and find the best insurance for your furry friend.
