Is pet insurance worth it in New Hampshire?
As a resident in New Hampshire, there are a lot of places you may want your pet to accompany you to such as the lakes, mountains, or other adventurous locations. If your pet happens to love swimming, be aware that the lake could be infected with cyanobacteria boom, and this is extremely harmful to your pet that it will require immediate medical attention. Your pet insurance policy can cover the cost of emergency treatments like this.
Also, pet insurance is worth the investment because your pet can receive coverage for accidents, illnesses, and preventative care. This reduces the risk of unexpected medical bills, and you won’t have to choose between your pet’s treatment and your financial situation. Keep in mind, most insurers will not cover your pet for any pre-existing medical conditions. It is recommended to insure your pet while it’s young so if any medical conditions do come to the surface as your pet ages, you are more likely to receive coverage for the treatment(s).
What types of pet insurance plans are in New Hampshire?
Several pet owners register their pets under an insurance plan that will ensure to cover their medical bills, especially when an accident occurs. However, there are a few options available so consider the following plans offered:
- Accident-only plan: If your pet happens to be accidentally injured, this plan will cover the medical bills for treating your pet’s injury. Illness or routine checks will not be covered under this plan. So if your pet suffers from a hereditary condition, pre-existing condition, or breed-specific issues, you might want to consider going for a comprehensive plan.
- Accident and illness plan: This plan is meant to cover any unplanned emergency, such as a vehicle accident or an unexpected illness. If you are seeking more coverage such as wellness or preventative care, a comprehensive plan might be more suitable for your pet’s needs.
- Wellness plan: This plan ensures to cover the cost for your pet’s preventative and routine care. So, if your pet is enrolled under his plan your insurer will reimburse you for your pet’s routine treatment, services and procedures. As much as this plan can stand on its own, you stand to benefit more if you enroll your pet for a full coverage plan.
- Comprehensive plan: With this plan, your insurer covers the cost of your veterinarian bills, hospital visits, medications, emergencies for any illness(es) or accident(s), and routine and preventative care. If you’re going for this plan, know that not all insurance companies offer the same packages for coverage. Ask what are the limitations to this plan, if they’ll charge for more claims, and a list of what is covered.
What does pet insurance cover and exclude?
Here’s a comprehensive list of what is commonly covered under a pet insurance policy in New Hampshire:
- 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 New Hampshire?
Generally, the average cost for pet insurance in New Hampshire is $50 per month. Before an insurer comes up with the cost, different factors affect the amount you are to pay. They include your pet’s species, breed, age, the coverage you go for, the deductible, any pre-existing condition, your location, and the number of pets being insured.
Insurance premiums increase according to the age of your pet because older pets tend to fall sick more often than younger pets. Also, the veterinary fee in your location will affect the cost of pet insurance you’ll pay for your pet. So, if you’re working within a budget, consider your pet’s needs and what coverage it absolutely requires.
What are the veterinary costs in New Hampshire?
Veterinary costs in the state of New Hampshire are more expensive than national veterinarian bills. So if your pet has an unexpected illness or injury, expect to pay higher veterinary fees than the average cost. These fees directly or indirectly have an impact on the cost of insurance. The following is a break down of the cost for specific veterinary services:
| Veterinary Service | Cost |
| Exams and test | $210-$260 |
| Blood work | $80-$200 |
| Vaccines | $15-$28 per shot |
| Routine checks | $50-$250 |
| Dental cleaning | $70-$400 |
| Geriatric cleaning | $85-$110 |
| Treatment for wound | $800-$2,500 |
| Oxygen therapy | $400-$3,000 |
A majority of the time, it’s difficult to know the fixed amount for veterinary bills because most veterinary clinics have different medical costs for different types of pets.
How to choose the best pet insurance in New Hampshire
When choosing pet insurance, keep a few of these factors in mind so you can make an informative decision for your pet:
- Understanding the terms of the policy: By taking the time to thoroughly review your policy, you will know what kind of services will be covered and what will be excluded. You can also assess if your pet requires basic insurance or potentially add-on options such as wellness and preventative care.
- Compare insurance providers: Consider your options by comparing a few insurance providers and what their policies offer. Also, be sure to take the deductible and monthly premium costs into account. Some insurance agencies may offer discounts as well, so gather all the facts before you make a final decision.
- Customer reviews: Check what other customers in New Hampshire have to say about an insurance agency you’re considering. Read reviews about the customer’s experience, their service, and how they handle their claims process. This will make it easier for you to come to a decision.