Decoding What’s Covered By Petcube’s Emergency Fund Service

I'd like to tell you a story about Michael, the Persian cat. Michael worried his pet parents terribly when they discovered he wasn't eating, was acting strangely, and was being rather passive. That's why they decided to text Petcube's 24/7 licensed vets for some advice. A video examination later, Michael and his owner had the fund activated and were on their way to the vet.

It turns out that Michael had consumed some cat litter, and it was making him rather unwell. And thankfully, Michael's pet parent had signed up for the Emergency Fund Service, which covered him for vet care up to the value of $3,000 per year.

Michael's parents didn't have to pay a penny for the medical bill, so they didn't make the Persian cat pose for Instagram photos to try and get him to pay his own way.

Consuming cat litter isn't the only thing that the Emergency Fund will cover. Why don't we find out how else this pet insurance alternative could benefit you and your furry friends?

Read more: Potty Time: How to Litter Train a Kitten?

Content:

1. What is Covered by Emergency Fund Service
2. What is Not Covered by Emergency Fund Service
3. What is the Appropriate Waiting Period for an Emergency Fund
4. Can I Insure More Than One Pet
5. How Does an Emergency Fund Help Senior Pets
6. FAQ

What is Covered by Emergency Fund Service

Emergency Fund Service is a U.S. service designed to protect your pet in case of veterinary emergency.

What is veteraniry emergency and what defines it? The term vet medical emergency describes a condition in which your pet is in immediate risk of mortality, unless medical attention is obtained within four hours. This can come in the form of an accident or other medical emergency, such as vehicle collisions or canine bloat.

Of course, not every case of bloat or vehicle collision is life-threatening. This is why each case is assessed on a one-to-one basis, using video and other means to properly consider every aspect.

Some emergencies that have been covered by the Emergency Fund Service include:

• Wounds from other animal attacks;
• Symptoms of poisoning and toxicity;
• Breathing difficulties;
• Choking;
• Internal injuries caused by trauma (such as car accidents);
• Blockages;
• Bloat (30% chance of fatality without treatment, according to the Institute of Canine Biology study);
• Wounds from falls or other accidents;
• Emergency surgeries;
• Severely broken bones;
• Bad reactions to insect bites or stings.

What is Not Covered by Emergency Fund Service

If your furry friend has managed to get into a fight and has a wound that needs stitches, the Emergency Fund will not cover the costs of vet care. The situation was not an emergency at that time. Provided you do what is expected as a pet parent, which is to seek medical treatment from a vet, it should not turn into one. That would be the kind of thing that pet insurance covers, not a service like the Emergency Fund.

Other conditions that are not usually life-threatening and will therefore not be covered include:

• Skin infections;
• Severe limbs injury;
• Pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical issues;
• Fleas, mites, ticks, or other parasites;
• Parvovirus;
• Vaccinations;
• Regular pet checkups;
• Neutering or spaying.

You will not be covered for a medical emergency that has arisen as a direct result of the pet owner's negligence. If you were previously advised to have an operation for your pet and you chose not to go through with it, it could be said that YOU were the reason why the emergency occurred.

Another example of this is if you have not ensured your pet's vaccinations have been kept up-to-date and your pet goes on to contact one of the preventable diseases.

Ideally, you will want to think of the Emergency Fund Service as the ER department at the hospital. You would go there in an emergency. If the situation wasn't an emergency, you would just have called your local doctor.

As a side note, the Emergency Fund Service only covers domestic pets. If you have a non-domestic pet, such as a raccoon, you will likely not be covered.

What is the Appropriate Waiting Period for an Emergency Fund

It's very rare to find a plan for pet insurance with no waiting period. Petcube's Emergency Fund has a much shorter waiting period of 14 days.

Once the 14-day waiting period is over, you can claim on your plan for emergency vet care for your cherished companions. When this happens, the 'remainder' of the year's subscription is deducted from the total Petcube will cover.

An example:
You have signed up for the Emergency Fund Service and paid for two months' worth of subscription ($29x2). Your pet has an emergency, so you contact Petcube's trained and licensed vets, share your story, the emergency fund is activated, and you seek emergency treatment (within four hours).

The bill for vet care is $3,000. This is also the total amount that Petcube will cover in one year.

The monthly Fund fee is $29, which you have paid for two months: $58.
One year’s subscription with Petcube is $29 x 12 = $348, but you have already paid $58 of that. The remainder is $290.

You will, therefore, need to pay $290 of the $3,000 vet bill, but you will not need to pay any more monthly payments after that until the year-long subscription has ended. By paying the $290, you have paid the remainder of the year's bill, leaving you totally covered.

Can I Insure More Than One Pet

Yes, you sure can! The Emergency Fund Service gives you $3,000 of cover for one year for up to six of your domestic furry friends. You may only claim once, however. If you make a claim (regardless of the amount), you can't make another claim until the year-long subscription is up.

How Does an Emergency Fund Help Senior Pets

Without being too blunt about things, regular pet insurance is often not suitable for senior pets for a wide assortment of reasons. Older pets are more likely to have chronic, lifelong, or long-term conditions. They're also more vulnerable to trips and falls, among other things. Because of this, some pet insurance companies will not insure older pets, or they tend to come with hefty monthly premiums.

The Emergency Fund Service is different because it is not an insurance policy. The Fund can help pick up the pieces when your senior pet has an emergency while also giving you access to a vet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Read more: Consider Adopting a Senior Cat

FAQ

Do I pay a deductible with the Emergency Fund Service?
No, you do not pay a deductible for the Emergency Fund. If you have not yet paid for a full twelve-month subscription to the Fund, the remainder will be deducted from the coverage payment. This is clearly laid out for you, so there are no hidden costs.

How quickly does Emergency Fund Service pay the vet bill?
As soon as the bill has been sent to Petcube's administration and has been approved, the payment will be sent directly to the vet. This is done on the same day in almost all cases. For most insurance companies, you will be required to pay and then claim for the amount to be reimbursed. This can take anywhere from 10 to 40 days or more in some cases.

Does it matter if my pet has pre-existing conditions?
No, it does not matter if your pet has pre-existing conditions. The Emergency Fund Service can still be used to claim for emergencies related to the condition, but not any scheduled or routine appointments.