Best Pet Insurance In Michigan 2022 – Forbes Advisor – Forbes

Once you identify the type of coverage suitable for your pet, you’ll want to compare your options. Try to select the same (or similar) annual maximum, reimbursement level and deductible amount when comparing pet insurance quotes.

Pet insurance companies price policies based on several factors, often including:

The pet’s age
The pet’s breed
The pet’s gender
Your location (vet costs vary based on location)

Check out whether the plans you’re considering have important benefits such as the ones below.

Can the pet insurance plan pay the vet directly?

Pet insurance plans usually work like this:

You visit the vet.
You pay the total upfront either during the visit or after receiving a bill.
You submit the claim to your pet insurance company.
Your insurance company reimburses you for the portion they cover.

While the process is simple, you have to pay out-of-pocket for all of the vet bill before you’re reimbursed. If you’re on a tight budget, this might put a strain on your finances. Pet insurance companies like Trupanion and Pets Best can pay your vet directly.

Are there discounts?

Insurance companies often offer multi-pet discounts when you insure more than one pet at once. In addition, companies like Embrace offer other ways to save, such as a vanishing $50 deductible when you go a year without submitting a claim.

Does the plan provide a 24/7 vet helpline?

As an additional perk, some pet insurers offer 24/7 vet helplines to assist you during all hours of the day and night. So if your new kitten is vomiting in the middle of the night, the vet helpline can advise you to head to the emergency clinic or wait it out.

Can I add a wellness and routine care plan?

If preventive care coverage is essential to you, look for pet insurance plans that offer wellness and routine care as an add-on. For example, Pets Best offers preventive care plans ranging from $16 to $26 a month.

Know the waiting periods for coverage

When you buy a pet insurance policy, you must wait a set period of time before the plan will start paying for vet costs. This amount of time is referred to as a waiting period. Pet insurance companies apply different waiting periods depending on the plan. Since your pet can get sick or injured at any time, it’s advantageous to select a plan with a shorter waiting period. For example, Figo has a one-day waiting period for accidents, compared to 15 days for Healthy Paws.

Also, some pet plans have extended waiting periods for special conditions, such as cruciate ligament issues or hip dysplasia. These waiting periods can range between six months and a year. If your pet is susceptible to these issues, look for a policy without these extended waiting periods.