Pet insurance has been around for a little while now, but there are many people who are still totally unfamiliar with it. It’s quite understandable! Even our own insurances can be an overwhelming and daunting mess. Thankfully, not all pet insurances have assorted hurdles, hoops, and mysterious terms that you need to pull out a giant dusty dictionary to decipher. In fact, some of the terms are so out there, you might accidentally cast a spell if you pronounce them wrong! Okay, maybe not, but we digress.

Like our own insurance companies, not all of the pet insurance ones are created equal. From contracts to terms, let’s take a look at some of the things to consider when shopping around and how to take the next step in ensuring that you’re giving your pet a healthier and happier life.

Clear and Concise Services

Sometimes it can feel like you need a legal degree just to understand what you’re signing up for. That means knowing what they’re talking about is one of the key things to keep in mind when signing up for pet insurance. Let’s take some time to explore key terms and what to look out for:

• Extended Waiting Period: Some insurance companies will have an extended waiting period that ranges between three months to a year for certain services to be provided. This means that there may be a period of time where you are not able to receive compensation for these specific topics of medical care. It is important to know what breed and age-specific concerns your pet may have in the near future, as well as what the insurance company will consider being a “pre-existing condition” that they may not cover.

• Annual Wellness Requirements: These requirements are terms in which your pet will need specific care in order to continue the terms of the insurance contract. These are oftentimes very specific and generally helpful to the overall wellbeing of your pet. These include follow-up with vaccinations, annual exams, and routine dental work. Ensuring that if these are required that the plan will cover them is a great way to make sure you get the most value for your insurance.

• Upper Age Limits: This defines the age range of pets that they are willing to cover. If you are a senior pet, this may indicate that they may not cover your pet based on their age or for certain conditions. Additionally, some companies may reduce the amount of compensation that you receive based on their age. This is another tricky term for ensuring that you are able to get the most back for your pet’s care.

• Insurance Add-ons: The presence of insurance Add-ons can be a blessing and a curse. Jumping in without knowing that certain conditions aren’t covered without additional fees, such as dental care. On the other hand, some people may benefit from choosing the services “a la carte” and only paying for certain services. However, it’s always a good idea to have a full suite of care options in the event of financial or life changes.

Getting Your Documents Together

The insurance company may ask for medical records for your pet. This may sound a little daunting at first, but it can easily be done with a brief phone call to any vets your pet may have a history with. Most vets can easily send the record electronically through their systems, but some may be a little “old-school” and need to scan in their records. This may take some time, so remember to be patient with the front desk staff. It is very time-consuming and they may be very busy seeing patients.

Time to Compare

One of the final steps will be to get quotes. A reliable and high-quality company, like pumpkin pet insurance, will have their information and ability to get a quote readily available on their site. Some others may require you to speak to an agent in order to get a full quote, and in that case, it may help to keep a list of questions you may have on hand.

The next step will be to make your choice based on the data you have gathered and weighed against the needs of your pets. Getting them insurance is the best way to make sure that they can thrive and live their best life — without breaking the bank.