Is pet insurance worth it in Connecticut?
If you’re considering enrolling your pet under an insurance policy, you can benefit from several advantages. For one, as a resident in Connecticut, you stand to gain the advantage of using your pet insurance at any veterinary clinic that’s licensed to treat pets. Additionally, your insurer will not have to pay the vet directly, rather they will reimburse you for the medical bills. When you have a pet insurance policy in place, you can also feel reassured that your chances of financial risk have been minimized. Vet bills can cost up to $5000 for one surgical procedure, which can be difficult for many pet owners to pay upfront. For that reason, pet insurance can be a worthwhile investment because it can reduce the stress of having to choose between your pet’s well-being and your financial situation.
Moreover, pet insurance can also be useful in the case of a medical emergency. Insurance agencies will cover hospitalizations, medical procedures, treatments, and medications related to an accident, injury, or illness. Wellness care plans are also available if you want to go the extra mile and regularly maintain your pet’s health.
What types of pet insurance plans are in Connecticut?
The following are four types of pet insurance policies available in Connecticut:
- Accident-only plan: This plan is very affordable because it only covers the cost of treatment related to an accident. Under this type of plan, your insurer will provide a fixed amount of money for each injury. One risk to buying this plan is that it will not cover any illnesses, so you’ll have to pay for the treatment out-of-pocket.
- Accident and illness plan: Under this plan, your insurer will cover the medical bills for your pet’s illnesses and accidents. With this plan, you can rest assured that your pet’s health will be cared for when a medical emergency occurs.
- Wellness plan: This plan is designed to provide preventative and wellness care. This includes vaccinations, preventative procedures, and routine veterinary check-ups.
- Comprehensive plan: This plan provides coverage for your pet’s illnesses, injuries, accidents, and wellness care such as routine checks, tests, and examinations. Most companies will also cover chronic health conditions such as hereditary illnesses.
Keep in mind, most insurance providers will not cover your pet’s pre-existing condition(s), therefore it is recommended you enroll your pet under a policy from a young age.
What does pet insurance cover and exclude?
Depending on the insurance agency, the list of illnesses and accidents they cover can vary and are fixed under different types of pet insurance plans.
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 Connecticut?
Each accident and illness are distinct in their cost and they may also differ from one agency to the other. Another factor that differentiates the cost of pet insurance would be the age of a pet. This is because older pets have a higher risk of falling sick compared to younger pets, and are also more likely to make their insurance costs higher.
The following would also be factored into the pricing of pet insurance:
- Type of species
- Pet’s breed
- Number of pets
- Coverage
- Type of policy
- Medical history
- Deductible
- Reimbursement
- Pre-existing condition(s)
- Discounts
Veterinary bills could increase as your pet grows older, which will require you to pay for your pet’s treatment and medications when your pet falls sick. Considering the factors above, you can expect the average monthly cost of pet insurance to be between $20 to $155 in Connecticut.
What are veterinary costs In Connecticut?
As a pet owner, there are certain veterinary expenses that come along with ensuring the well-being of your pet. The following are some veterinary services along with the cost:
| Veterinary Service | Cost |
| Facial exams | $31 |
| Spay/neuter | $180 |
| Vaccines | $19 per shot |
| Routine check-ups | $117 |
| Dental cleaning | $180 |
| Physical exam | $48 |
| Allergy testing | $230 |
| Heartworm test | $46 |
| Geriatric screening | $93 |
How to choose the best pet insurance in Connecticut
To help you choose the best pet insurance plan, consider the following key factors before making your final decision:
- Consider your budget: When choosing a plan, you should consider the kind of deductibles you would want to subscribe to, based on your budget. There should be a selection of plans with a higher deductible and that of the lower, but your deductible will depend on the type of coverage you’re seeking. Factor in all your costs to get an accurate monthly premium calculation and research if there are any promotional discounts available as well.
- Your pet’s medical history and needs: Your pet’s needs will be central to the type of coverage you choose. Consider all potential illnesses your pet is prone to developing and ask your insurance provider if they will cover your pet if it has pre-existing conditions. Some providers will not provide coverage for a pet after a certain age.
- Read customer reviews: It can be helpful to read what previous customers have to say about an agency you are considering. Read some customer reviews and get an idea of how the insurer handles their claims process and what their service is like.