Not so long ago, the notion of looking for a top dog insurance plan was just something for the most devoted of dog lovers. Today, almost every pet care expert recommends pet insurance for dog owners for the well-being of their pets. In addition, financial experts recommend insurance as part of a sound personal finance strategy. Since the industry is relatively new and many people are buying pet insurance for the first time, very few know what to look for in a top dog insurance policy. The following are a few guidelines in purchasing quality dog medical insurance.

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Dog Medical Insurance: Copays and Deductibles

In some ways, dog insurance works much the same as health insurance for humans. Most policies use a system of copayments and deductibles. The amount of the copayments and deductibles play a large part in determining the amount of the premium. In finding a top dog insurance policy, it is first necessary to understand the cost of veterinary treatments. In most cases, routine treatments cost very little and do not justify the expense of pet insurance. The value of pet insurance arises from the new high-tech procedures available to veterinarians. These treatments can be extremely expensive.
Deductibles must be low enough to afford no matter what treatment is required. The acceptable amount for a copayment depends on the primary use for the insurance. Some use insurance only for emergencies. Others have policies that cover routine care. If routine care is covered, copays should be low enough to justify the premium in comparison to the cost of a standard visit.

Dog Medical Insurance: Exclusions

Another factor that a dog insurance policy has in common with human health insurance is the existence of exclusions. Very few major dog insurance companies cover genetically-inherited conditions, chronic conditions, or pre-existing conditions. This poses a problem for many purebred dogs that are born with a genetic disposition for certain medical conditions. In addition, many dog medical insurance companies will not write a policy for dogs over the age of nine. Some companies will write a policy, but an age surcharge makes the premium prohibitively expensive.

Dog Medical Insurance: Services Covered

The services covered depend on the type of dog insurance purchased. Some of the most common types of coverage include the following:
• Routine checkups and wellness coverage – This type of coverage pays for routine checkups and health maintenance such as worming, flea and tick prevention, teeth cleaning, and vaccinations. Some types of wellness coverage include spaying and neutering.
• Genetic condition coverage – This type of coverage pays for conditions that are known to be prominent in specific breeds. Most policies spell out each individual condition that is covered. When purchasing this coverage, be sure it includes conditions typically affecting your dog’s breed.
• Chronic condition coverage – This coverage pays for chronic, long-term conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and arthritis. It is important to read the terms of the coverage closely before purchasing. Some policies only cover chronic conditions in the early years of the dog’s life, excluding them in later years when they are more commonly developed.
• Major medical coverage – This coverage pays for catastrophic medical emergencies. This is the type of coverage that makes the most sense to purchase. Without it, some treatments are simply too expensive for many people.

It is never enough to know what is covered. It is also necessary to understand how each condition is covered. Some insurance policies have a standard coverage amount by condition or by treatment performed regardless of the actual cost. Other policies cover the actual cost charged by the veterinarian minus the copay and deductible.

Dog Medical Insurance: Provider Networks
The best policies can be used with any veterinarian. This helps in case treatment is required while on vacation or if you have a preferred veterinarian. Some companies have extremely limited networks that make finding an acceptable veterinarian difficult, if not impossible. It is also important to understand how payment is made for each veterinarian. Some policies pay directly only for in-network vets and pay by reimbursement for out-of-network vets. Look for those top dog insurance plans that offer the highest variety and flexibility regarding provider networks.

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