Is pet dental insurance worth it?
When we think of our pet’s health, we may not often think about their dental health as a priority. However, many serious issues pets can experience throughout their life can stem from dental problems.
Most dental issues pets experience can often go unnoticed for a long period of time. Many times, it is not until the dental issues have progressed significantly that owners recognize the issue and seek treatment. By then, the severity may have progressed to where it requires serious treatment to be able to fix. In the most severe cases, these dental issues can progress to a point where they begin to cause irreversible damage to other parts of their body.
Keeping up with your pet’s dental health requires consistent vet visits, including wellness checks and teeth cleanings to make sure their mouth is healthy. However, regular visits can be expensive, and many owners may not be able to afford dental procedures along with other illness and injury coverage.
Pet dental insurance makes it easier for owners to afford dental treatments to be able to prioritize their pet’s dental health. Taking advantage of these plans give you the ability to care for your pet fully, helping them live a longer and healthier life.
What does pet dental insurance cover?
Pet dental insurance coverage depends on the overall pet insurance plan. Many insurance plans offer coverage for illness-only treatments, injury-only treatments, or a combination of the two. Included in these plans are options for dental treatment.
For specifically dental insurance coverage, many plans cover the following:
- Damaged teeth: Treatment for teeth that have been damaged, including fractures or breaks as a result of an injury are often covered under pet dental insurance plans.
- Gingivitis and gum disease: A common issue that plagues many pets of all species, gingivitis and gum disease treatments are often treated under pet dental plans.
- Root canals and crowns: Root canals, crowns, tooth removals and other procedures to fix teeth that have been damaged or destroyed following an illness are usually covered.
Depending on whether you have an illness-only, injury-only, or combination plan, you will also be covered for dental issues that come as a result of these unexpected circumstances.
Most pet dental insurance plans do not cover routine or preventive care. This includes teeth cleanings or cosmetic procedures. Additionally, they often do not cover any pre-existing conditions your pet may have. To get coverage for routine or preventive dental care, you will need to take advantage of a wellness plan, which is often offered in addition to your pet insurance coverage.
How are pet dental insurance premiums covered?
Insurance premiums are determined based on a number of factors specific to your pet as well as the dental coverage you are getting under your plan. These circumstances include:
- Age: The older some pets get, the more likely they are to experience lasting dental issues that require lots of treatment. Older pets will generally have a more expensive monthly premium.
- Species: The type of pet (cat, dog, etc.) you have will contribute to your overall premium, as some pets are more likely to need more frequent dental treatments throughout their life than others.
- Breed: Some breeds are more susceptible to dental issues than others. Breeds that are more likely to experience dental issues will have a higher monthly premium for coverage.
- Pet insurance plan details: Insurance plans that only cover injury or illness treatments are less expensive than combination plans. Additionally, if you take advantage of any add-ons, such as coverage for teeth cleanings, you can expect to pay a higher monthly premium.
Additionally, the specifics of your plan will influence your monthly premium, including the reimbursement percentage included, your yearly deductible amount, and the coverage cap of your overall plan.
How to choose the best pet dental insurance plan
You have a lot to consider when deciding on the best dental insurance plan for your pet. Here are some important things to keep in mind as you are searching for the right plan:
- Consider your pet’s unique needs: Your pet’s species, breed, age, and overall medical history will contribute to the types of treatment they may need throughout their life. Be sure that your chosen dental insurance plan covers your pet’s needs.
- Compare available options: When you’ve come up with a few good options, compare what specific dental treatments and procedures are covered. Just because a plan is cheap does not mean it is the best plan – it may not have everything your pet will need for a healthy mouth.
- Read customer reviews: Take a look at what customers who have purchased your future pet dental insurance plan have to say about it. See how the insurance provider handles claims processes and customer service. Also, take a look at our review on pet insurance providers, which may be helpful for you.
- Confirm your provider is trustworthy: Review your provider’s accreditations and trustworthiness through ratings from trusted organizations like the Better Business Bureau.