Is pet insurance worth it for flea and tick prevention?
Fleas and ticks are common pests that plague pets throughout the year. They’re small and relatively unnoticeable before they start to affect your pet more severely. Fleas can cause excessive itching and scratching, and when infected, can cause more serious issues like tapeworm and other bacterial infections.
Ticks may not cause much discomfort at first, but overtime they can severely impact your pet’s overall well-being. They commonly transmit Lyme disease, which can result in a coma or sometimes death, in more serious cases.
Though it is easier for your pet to get fleas and ticks outside, indoor animals can also be affected by these pests. Since it can be difficult to find them before the infestation gets more serious, the best way to prevent them is by making regular visits to the veterinary clinic. If the veterinarian does discover an infestation, medication will be provided for treatment.
While extremely helpful, regular check-ups and medication can become fairly expensive as the cost adds up overtime. Pet insurance is a great way to get coverage for these preventative care measures to ensure you can continue to pay for your pet’s wellness treatments.
What does pet insurance cover for flea and tick prevention?
Different pet insurance plans cover different treatments and procedures related to your pet’s wellness, including injury treatment, illness treatment, and routine and preventative care.
Depending on the insurance plan you choose, you may be covered for a range of procedures and treatments. Most often, these include:
- X-rays and diagnostic tests: Scans, x-rays, and other diagnostics including blood and urine tests are often performed to help determine what is causing your pet’s injury or illness. These procedures are usually covered under pet insurance.
- Hereditary and congenital conditions: Inherited conditions and issues that affect your pet from birth may require routine procedures and treatments.
- Medication: Infections, injuries, and other illnesses that require medication for treatment are typically covered by a pet insurance plan.
Generally, pet insurance providers will have a variation of plans available such as illness-only, injury-only, or a combination of the two. However, these plans often do not include routine and preventative care.
For this type of coverage, you will need to take advantage of a separate wellness plan, or a wellness add-on offered through your provider. These plans cover wellness checks, routine prescriptions for preventative treatments, and more. With these add-ons, you can ensure your pet can get the treatment it needs to continue to prevent fleas and ticks.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for flea and tick prevention?
Different factors contribute to your monthly premium such as your pet’s unique characteristics and the details of your insurance plan. Some of the details that typically determine your monthly premium include:
- Age: The older your pet is, the more likely they are to experience more severe health issues. For this reason, older pets generally have a higher monthly premium for insurance coverage.
- Type of pet: Monthly premiums for pet insurance coverage can fluctuate depending on the type of pet you have. Expect to pay different premiums if you have more than one type of animal in your household.
- Breed: Some breeds may be more susceptible to serious illnesses or injuries, which will raise your overall monthly insurance premium.
- Plan details: If you decide to include wellness coverage as an add-on to your plan, you can expect your monthly premium to be higher as well.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for flea and tick prevention
You will want to thoroughly review the available pet insurance plans available for flea and tick prevention to ensure your pet gets the coverage it needs. Here are some things to keep in mind as you make your decision:
- Confirm flea and tick prevention is included: Whether your preventative care is included in a wellness add-on or the general insurance plan itself, find out what exactly is covered in relation to flea and tick prevention ahead of time.
- Consider your pet’s needs: Take your pet’s breed, age, and overall medical history into account when deciding on the best plan. Be sure your plan covers medical treatments for issues they may encounter later in life, in addition to flea and tick prevention options.
- Compare customer experiences: Once you’ve narrowed down a few plan options, take a look at what they all have to offer. Review their specific types of coverage, as well as deductible and reimbursement offerings. Additionally, review what customers have had to say about their experience with the insurance provider. Find out how they process claims and handle customer service inquiries to get a good idea of what your experience will be like.