Pet Insurance Comparison 101

Once you understand the terms and some of the basic things to look for in your pet insurance comparison, you should then decide which specific insurance options are best for your cat, dog, or other friend. Below are the top seven most important features to look for when carrying out your pet insurance comparison.

1. Wellness coverage: As you compare, check to see if coverage includes preventative and routine care like annual checkups, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and even covers prescribed food for your pet’s special dietary needs.

2. Prescription Drug Coverage: This benefit covers any medicine prescribed by your veterinarian (all preventative medicine is covered by the wellness benefit).

3. Death Compensation: This pet insurance benefit provides you with a set amount in the event of your pet’s death. This is usually set up to a given amount and depending on the market value of your pet, or what you paid for it (this benefit is especially important for those needing pet insurance plans for pedigree or exotic animals).

4. Cancer coverage: Many pet insurance policies do not cover cancer, or pre-existing hereditary conditions. Cancer coverage can be found for your pet to cover diagnostic examinations, and treatment, as well as alternative therapies and rehab, so be sure to compare.

5. Third Party Liability: This covers you for damage or injury that you pet may cause (this coverage is often only available for dogs).

6. Advertising and Reward: Some pet insurance carriers offer coverage for the costs of advertising a missing pet, and even cover the reward offered.

7. Theft or Straying: If your pet goes missing and you have advertised, searched and still cannot find it, the insurance carrier will offer compensation up to a given amount and depending on the market value of your pet.