Email Address
Info@otaypetvets.com
Phone Number
(619) 421-1698
Our Location
Chula Vista, CA 91915
Pet Insurance
At Otay Pet Vets, we understand your pet is an important part of your family. Pet health insurance allows veterinarians to provide your pet with optimal care and practice the most advanced veterinary medical treatment. It also helps you pay for unexpected expenses due to accidents or illnesses. We highly recommend Embrace Pet Insurance!
A Brighter Future
Pet insurance pays, partly or in total, for veterinary treatment of the insured person’s ill or injured pet. Some policies will pay out when the pet dies, or if it is lost or stolen.
As veterinary medicine is increasingly employing expensive medical techniques and drugs, and owners have higher expectations for their pet’s health care and standard of living than previously, the market for pet insurance has increased.
Pet insurance companies are beginning to offer the pet owner more of an ability to customize their coverage by allowing them to choose their own level of deductible or co-insurance. This allows the pet owner to control their monthly premium and choose the level of coverage that suits them the best.
Some of the differences in insurance coverage are:
- Whether congenital and hereditary conditions (like hip dysplasia, heart defects, eye cataracts or diabetes) are covered;
- How the reimbursement is calculated (based on the actual vet bill, a benefit schedule or usual and customary rates);
- Whether the deductible is on a per-incident or an annual basis;
- Whether there are any limits or caps applied (per incident, per year, age or over the pet’s lifetime); and
- Whether there is an annual contract that determines anything diagnosed in the previous year of coverage is considered pre-existing the next year.
Pet Insurance FAQs
As veterinary medicine advances, the cost of care associated with treatment, diagnostic procedures, equipment, facilities and training required to provide high-quality medical care increases as well.
In 2014 alone, U.S. pet parents spent $15.3 billion on veterinary care – and that number is expected to rise.3
Pet health insurance allows veterinarians to provide your pet with optimal care and practice the most advanced veterinary medical treatment. It also helps you pay for unexpected expenses due to accidents or illnesses.
There are three main types of pet health insurance coverage:
Accident: Covers veterinary treatment for unexpected injuries
Illness: Covers treatment of sickness and disease
Wellness: May include vaccinations, diagnostic tests and dental work
Insurance providers should clearly explain the limitations and exclusions of coverage, as well as all related costs, including co-pays, deductibles, add-on charges and other fees, so you fully understand both the benefits and limits of the policy. It’s important to find out how your insurance provider defines and handles pre-existing conditions, and how your premiums may increase as your pet ages.
As a complement to your pet health insurance, a HomeAgain®️ annual membership also protects your pet with a suite of recovery services and wellness benefits, including:
- Lifetime microchip registration in a national Pet Recovery Database
- Around-the-clock access to an extensive team of lost pet recovery specialists
- Rapid lost pet alerts and personalized lost pet posters
- Free calls to the 24-hour ASPCA emergency medical hotline ($65 value)
- Travel assistance for pets found 500 miles or more from home (coverage up to $500)
You should be allowed to choose the veterinarian who will provide care for your pet, including specialists and emergency care providers.
Pet insurance plans are generally reimbursement plans, meaning you pay the bills up front and are reimbursed by the insurance provider. Ask the insurance provider about the timeframe for reimbursement so you know what to expect.
Pet health insurance premiums are typically calculated based on your individual pet’s breed, age and the cost of veterinary care in your area. For example, some breeds are predisposed to developing certain medical conditions, which may impact your premium.
In addition, your pet’s medical history may be requested and your veterinarian may be required to disclose your pet’s medical records.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has guidance on what you’ll need to know when considering pet health insurance at www.avma.org.
In addition, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) offers a health insurance buying guide at www.naphia.org.
- American Pet Products Association (APPA). 2017-2018 APPA National Pet Owners Survey. www.americanpetproducts.org
- Datamonitor. Pet Insurance 2008
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). 3 Key Facts About Your Pet’s Veterinary Care. www.aspcapetinsurance.com