Is pet insurance worth it in Arizona?
With a fun-loving pet in Arizona, there are endless adventures and much to explore. However, the weather conditions in Arizona can be quite harsh, which can wear your pet out and prone to illness. Like humans, our pets benefit from routine check-ups at the veterinary clinic so their health is maintained regularly. By purchasing pet insurance, you can visit a clinic regularly with little worry about medical bills.
Additionally, there are lots of animal predators – snakes, bears, wildcats, coyotes, lizards, scorpions, tarantulas, and scorpions – and this spells imminent danger for your pet. If your little furry friend comes in contact with one of these animals, it may require emergency medical attention at a hospital. Being prepared for unexpected medical emergencies can help minimize your financial burden and allow you to focus on your pet’s recovery.
Looking at the bigger picture, pet insurance is worth considering because it can save you money in the long run. It can help minimize the cost of veterinary bills you may incur after emergency treatment.
For instance, here’s an estimate of treatment for pets:
- Spider bites: around $1,000
- Diabetes: roughly $6,000 annually
- Ear infections: around $2,000 to $3,500
What types of pet insurance plans are in Arizona?
These are the four most common types of pet insurance plans provided by insurers:
- Accident-only plan: This plan covers unexpected injuries due to an accident. For instance, your pet could mistakenly be hit by an oncoming vehicle, swallow objects, or suffer from an animal bite. Emergency hospital visits, medications, and treatments would be covered under this plan.
- Accident and illness plan: This plan covers the cost(s) associated with any injuries and illnesses. Coverage for the following is included: medications, x-rays, hospitalization, and surgery. Although this plan may be an ideal option for many, most insurance companies consider the age of your pet.
- Wellness plan: This plan can be an add-on option to any other pre-existing plan or a stand-alone plan. This plan is meant for the health maintenance of your pet such as microchipping, vaccinations, veterinary exams, etc. Wellness plans offer routine and preventative care and tend to be the most budget-friendly plans.
- Comprehensive plan: This plan offers the most holistic coverage of the four. It includes coverage for illnesses, injuries, accidents, wellness, and preventative care.
What does pet insurance cover and exclude?
The following are most commonly covered under pet insurance policies:
- Vaccinations: Most insurers cover annual vaccines against core diseases like rabies, canine distemper, and feline panleukopenia. Some also cover vaccinations for other conditions such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus.
- Treatment for illness or injury: This includes emergency medical treatment for an illness or injury. This policy also covers x-rays, medications, and surgery.
- Routine and preventative care: This includes wellness exams, routine lab tests, and other regular maintenance services you may be seeking for your pet. Heartworm testing and flea/tick preventatives are also included.
- Diagnostic testing: This includes imaging such as ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and more.
The following is a list of exclusions you should be aware of when looking at pet insurance policies:
- Treatment or diagnosis of pre-existing conditions: Pet insurance will not cover the cost for treatment or the diagnosis of pre-existing conditions.
- Injury or illness with intent to cause harm: Pet insurance will not cover injuries or illnesses that were provoked by abuse, neglect, self-mutilation, or any other intentional act on the pet owner’s part.
- Breeding, pregnancy, and whelping: Pet insurance does not cover expenses related to breeding, pregnancy, or the whelps (i.e., newborn pups) if the mother dog dies during pregnancy or the whelping process. This would include transportation costs to and from the veterinary clinic, medications, and surgeries related to whelping.
- Additional veterinary facility fees: If your veterinarian charges more than the fee agreed upon in your policy, pet insurance will not cover the difference.
- Elective veterinary procedures: Any elective veterinary procedures will not be covered by the insurer in a basic plan. Examples of these procedures include dental care, routine surgeries such as spaying (for females), neutering (for males), and declawing. However, many policies do offer an add-on option if you would like to have coverage for elective care.
How much does pet insurance cost in Arizona?
Typically, pet insurance policies in Arizona won’t exceed $100 per month, but pricing varies depending on some factors such as:
- Species: If you own a dog, you are most likely going to pay more than a pet parent that owns a cat. Pet insurance for dogs is often more expensive because they are more susceptible to certain conditions like joint issues and hip dysplasia, and these conditions cost more to treat.
- Breed: Buying pet insurance for some breeds of pets is more expensive than others due to their susceptibility to certain diseases.
- Age: As your pet grows older, your premiums increase. This is because as pets age they become more prone to health problems, and the recovery period may take longer than normal.
- Customization: This is one way to slash some dollars off your premium. Higher annual deductible, lower annual coverage limits, and lower reimbursement rates can significantly lower your monthly premium.
What are the veterinary costs in Arizona?
Pet insurance can be beneficial so you are always prepared for unexpected medical emergencies. However, if you’re curious to know how much veterinary bills cost, consider the average national costs below:
| Veterinary service | Cost |
| Physical exams | $45-$55 |
| Fecal exam | $25-$45 |
| Heartworm test | $45-$50 |
| Dental cleaning | $70-$400 |
| Ear infection | $2,500-$4,500 |
| Dog hernia | $750-$2,000 |
| Cancer | $5,000-$20,000 |
Generally, the veterinary cost will depend on your insurance plan, the age of your pet, and the condition you are treating.
How to choose the best pet insurance in Arizona
When seeking the best pet insurance, keep the following factors in mind during your research:
- Consider your costs: First, look for pet insurance plans that fit your budget. The cost of pet insurance will vary from provider to provider based on the type of pet and breed you want to insure. Also, the number of pets (often cheaper when you’re insuring more than one), the type of coverage you choose, and your deductible will be factored into your monthly premium cost.
- Consider your pet’s medical history: If your pet already has a medical condition, find out if the insurance policy will cover your pet’s treatment(s), medications, etc. Most pre-existing conditions are not covered so it is recommended to insure your pet from a young age or as soon as possible. This way, if any conditions develop later in life, your pet is more likely to receive coverage.
- Customer reviews: Learn about pet insurance providers’ efficiency via customer reviews. Check what customers have to say about an agency and how they handle their claims process. This could help you narrow down your options and choose the most suitable plan for you.