Pet Insurance Florida

What You Need to Know About Pet Insurance Plans

The options for pet insurance are growing every day and the different plans and coverage can be confusing. Here are a few questions you should ask your pet insurance provider to make sure you are best protecting your beloved pet.

What is covered by the pet insurance policy?

The first question to ask is what is covered under the plans available. You will want to review and understand if coverage for hereditary diseases, chronic illnesses, cancer, accidents, and medical conditions that are common to your cat or dog's breed is provided. Treatment for these conditions are generally covered as long as they are not preexisting which is a good reason to get your kitten or puppy insured as soon as possible.

Waiting periods?

As you look into pet insurance, you will want to investigate the waiting periods for accidents or illnesses. Ask your pet insurance provider what the usual waiting period is before your coverage starts. If an illness or injury occurs during that waiting period, your pet will not be covered so it is optimal to have the shortest waiting period available.

Deductibles

Ask what the deductible is and if the deductible is per incident, per claim, per visit, or per year. A deductible calculated per incident means the deductible is payable only once per condition over the lifetime of your policy. A deductible per year is a one-time payment you make each year of the policy. Some providers offer a zero-deductible pet health insurance policy or allow you to set your own deductible. These variables will depend on the provider, but it may save you money and your pet's life.

Payout limits

If you are devoted to your pet's health, the best pet insurance company to pick should not have a payout limit; this ensures that no matter what the cost, the dog or cat will get the veterinary care they need. Some pet insurance policies do have a maximum payout per year. This payout is the most money a company will reimburse a client for each policy year. There are five main types of maximum payouts: per incident, per year, per body system, or lifetime or predetermined benefit schedule. Maximum payout per body system is defined as the maximum amount of money the company will pay for a body system. These systems include, but are not limited to, the musculoskeletal system, the digestive system, the nervous system, or the reproductive systems. The maximum lifetime payout is the most money a provider will pay during the pet's lifetime. The maximum payout based on a predetermined benefit schedule is the most money the company will reimburse, based on a fee structure that is preset. Some pet insurance companies will use only one type of maximum payout plan and others may have different options. For devoted pet lovers, please choose a pet insurance company that does not have a payout limit.

Co-pay or co-insurance

You will also want to ask what the co-payment percentage is. The co-payment is the amount you pay after the deductible has been reached. The best co-pay on the market is currently 10% covered by the pet owner with the pet insurance company covering 90% of the vet bill.

If you have already selected a pet insurance provider and are not sure if you are receiving the most for your money, call your provider to go over this information. If you are not satisfied, ask your provider to make adjustments to your plan to make sure your pet is properly covered. Look for coverage that includes a low deductible, a low co-payment percentage, and no payout limits. Your coverage should include tests and treatment options for accidents, diseases, illnesses, medical conditions specific to your pet's breed and species, and cancer. If you're still not sure you're getting the best coverage, shop around to find a better pet insurance plan that best fits you and your pet's needs.

Pet Health Concerns in Florida

Florida's warm, sunny climate may be seem like paradise to us, but it poses a number of dangers for our beloved pets. If you're not a native Floridian, chances are good that you are from a cooler part of the country where certain weather extremes, diseases and predators are rare or nonexistent.

The most obvious danger to Florida pet health is heat. Keep plenty of fresh water available, especially on hot days. Many pets can't cool off by perspiring through the skin like people do, so it's difficult for them to get rid of excess body heat. If you must leave your pet outdoors on a lanai, make sure there is shade available. If you take your pet in the car with you, don't leave it behind while you run errands as you did up north. The temperature inside a closed car or even a car with the windows cracked can kill within minutes.

Prepare for emergencies for your pet just as you do for yourself. Hurricanes are one of Florida's special dangers. If you don't have an evacuation plan and a stockpile of water, food and supplies prepared, do so now and be sure to include canned pet food and medications. Purchase a carrier for your animal and keep it where you can find it quickly in an emergency.

Pet owners in Florida must also be aware of predators. As more and more empty ranch land is sold and developed into communities, these predators are being forced to hunt and feed much more closely to humans and their pets. It's not uncommon to see an alligator sunning itself next to a manmade pond or crossing a residential street. Be advised that these reptiles can run as fast as you can for short distances and will snatch a pet right off its leash. Do not walk your pet in the late evening or at night. If you live in a ranch community near water, learn the alligator's call, which sounds like a deep groan. If you hear it, get your pet away from the lanai or open windows. It's not unheard of for an alligator to crash right through a screen to grab a cat or dog.

Florida panthers and boa constrictors are also becoming more common and will prey on pets when no other food is available. Keep a close watch on thickly vegetated areas near your home, and keep the phone number for animal control handy.

Vegetation also poses problems for Florida pet health. Common Florida ornamentals such as oleander, lantana and dracaena are poisonous and can sicken or kill a cat or dog. Many types of mulch have toxic ingredients that are attractive to pets. Know the plants in your yard and always supervise animals closely when they're outdoors.

Diseases are also a problem for pet owners in Florida, and are to be guarded against. The warm climate is host to dangerous many parasites, fungi and bacteria. Infectious diseases like rabies and canine influenza are also becoming more common. Flea- and tick-borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease can infect humans through their pets. If your pet must be outdoors on a regular basis, flea prevention treatments are a must.

Good pet care includes a regular checkup with a veterinarian. Keeping vaccinations current and checking for early signs of disease are the best ways to keep your pet healthy, happy and safe.