All About Pet Insurance: Update August 12- 2009 All About "Pet Insurance" Information By Insurance Experts

Pet Insurance is defined as one type of insurance which pays the veterinary costs if one's pet becomes ill or is injured in an accident. Some policies will also pay out when the pet dies, or if it's lost or stolen.

Reform in Pet Insurance
By Dennis Dornon

Pet care costs are growing rapidly while the offer is more and more diversified and includes services such as kidney dialysis, chemotherapy or sonograms for your cats or dogs. In 2009, US pet owners spent more than $12 billion on veterinary services. However, only 1% of the pet owners in US have health insurance for their animals. Even people who do have insurance, are not very well informed about what is and what is not included in their pets' insurance.

Pet insurers will be required to offer detailed information their services by federal laws that are currently under revision. Democratic state assemblyman Dave Jones is the first one to address the issues related to such a reform, promoting a bill that has already passed the state Assembly and the Senate insurance committee. The bill will include pet insurance in the state insurance code.

Because there is so much variety in pet insurance offered by companies, confusion is widespread among the policy holders.

Unfortunately, very often charges from veterinaries are much more than what insurers are willing to cover. Most states include pet insurance in the category of property or casualty insurance. Proponents of the new bill wish to make it a distinct coverage area.

Pre-existing conditions are one of the most frequent issues for pet insurance owners. Companies refuse to renew policies or cover expenses for health problems that are categorized as pre-existing. Insurance companies defend their position stating that pet owners do not buy insurance before their pets get sick. On the other hand, most websites owned by insurance companies do not offer enough information for the consumer to be able to compare choices and make an informed decision.

Pre-existing conditions are considered reasons for exclusion with health insurance for humans as well. Hereditary conditions are covered by some types of policies, however at a very low level. Congenital problems are assimilated to pre-existing conditions and are not covered. They include entropion, ectropion, liver shunt or patellar luxation.

Using preventive medication for fleas, ticks and other parasites is not covered by most policies, however some policies offer benefits for preventive medications. Dental care needed after accidents or injuries is covered in pet insurance, but preventive care such as teeth cleaning is not.

Certain dog breeds are classified as high-risk by insurance companies, so it is difficult to qualify for an insurance policy if your dog is considered more dangerous. The definition of a high-risk breed differs from one insurance company to another, but Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Pit Bulls and Doberman Pincers are the breeds that would more likely to be considered high-risk.

If you have not chosen an insurance plan for your pet, start by checking if your veterinarian is a provider for the pet insurance you are looking for.

Pets coming from animal shelters are favored when it comes to get insurance for them. There are not enough choices right now for pet insurance but a reform in this domain might clear things up and make it easier for owners to take care of their pets.

Please visit ThePound.org to learn more about your local Animal Shelter and Veterinarians.

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