Pet insurance policies are challenging to understand. Knowing when to buy insurance is tricky, too. In this article, I, Ivana Crnec, DVM, will explain when is the best time to buy pet insurance.
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Content:
- When Should I Buy Pet Insurance
- When the Pet is Young
- Before Pre-Existing Issues Emerge
- When the Budget is Tight
- When Is Pet Insurance the Most Needed
- Conclusion
When Should I Buy Pet Insurance
You should buy pet insurance when:
- The pet is still young
- Before pre-existing conditions emerge
- The budget is tight
According to a 2021 study, “Pet owners who purchase pet health insurance are more likely to bring their pets in at the first sign of trouble and to follow their veterinarian’s treatment advice.”
When the Pet is Young
The ideal time to buy pet insurance is when the pet is young. The younger and healthier the pet, the less expensive the monthly insurance fee.
Another reason insurance is important for young pets is because they are prone to accidents due to their curious nature.
“When unexpected accidents happen, pet insurance can help you say ‘yes’ to the best care for your fur baby,” says Dr. Stacy Choczynski Johnson in an article for Pumpkin.
Finally, many congenital conditions become apparent when the pet is young, leaving you a very short window to buy insurance before symptoms strike.
Before Pre-Existing Issues Emerge
According to a Reddit user, the best time to get insurance is “as soon as possible if you want to keep the price down. Preexisting anything complicates the issue.”
Pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing problems.
A pre-existing condition is anything that occurs before you apply for pet insurance or during the waiting period, which typically lasts around two weeks.
When the Budget is Tight
It sounds counteractive but the best time to get pet insurance is when you are on a tight budget. This is because when money is limited, you are least able to afford a hefty veterinary bill.
Studies show that “Pet insurance companies have many ways to advertise their business.” Budget-friendly discounts and promotions are one of them.
Petcube Emergency Fund offers ease of mind by giving 3,000 for emergency vet bills and 24/7 access to online vets. Use this link to get the fund with a 27% discount.
When Is Pet Insurance the Most Needed
Pet insurance is most needed in summer and winter months due to the high risk of accidents. The two seasons hold various dangers for pets.
The top summer problems for dogs are overheating, heat strokes, and sunburn. Fleas, ticks, and insect stings or bites occur more frequently over the warm summer months.
Water hazards, like hot spots, water intoxication, and drowning, are possible. Seasonal plants can harm pets by causing skin irritation, allergies, or poisoning.
Yes, you need pet insurance for the winter. Accidental poisoning, pancreatitis, and stomach upsets are prevalent during the holiday season.
Other common accidents in winter include hypothermia, frostbites, paw pad injuries and icemelt burns, and choking on small ornaments.
Conclusion
The best time to buy pet insurance is when the pets are young, before pre-existing conditions arise, and when you are on a tight budget. Pet accidents tend to spike during summer and winter months, making it important to be financially covered before high-risk seasons.