Pet owners often consider their furry friends as part of the family. They would do anything to keep them safe and healthy. However, accidents happen, even to the most careful pet owner. When an accident does occur, it can result in significant vet bills that can be difficult to manage.
This is where pet insurance comes in handy. It helps pay for unexpected medical expenses for your pets when they need it most. While there are several types of pet insurance policies available in the market, one that may suit some pet owners’ needs is accident only pet insurance.
In this article, we’ll explore what accident only pet insurance is and what it covers.
What is Accident Only Pet Insurance?
Accident only pet insurance is a type of policy that provides coverage for injuries resulting from accidents only. It covers things like broken bones, lacerations, bites, burns, and more.
Unlike comprehensive health plans that cover routine checkups and preventive care services along with accidents and illnesses coverage, accident-only plans focus solely on acute injuries caused by accidental events. This means that conditions stemming from illnesses or pre-existing conditions aren’t covered by these types of policies.
This might sound rather limiting compared to comprehensive policies but offers peace of mind if you’re concerned about your pet getting injured due to unforeseen events.
What Does Accident Only Pet Insurance Cover?
As mentioned earlier, accident only pet insurance covers your furry friend’s veterinary expenses resulting from accidents such as:
Fractures & Broken Bones
Unfortunately, fractures can be quite common in pets. Whether it’s a fall or being hit by a car, broken bones are painful and require immediate medical attention. With an accident-only policy in place, you won’t have to worry about how you’re going to afford the expensive treatment needed.
Bites & Scratches
Animals can become aggressive towards each other or humans at times, leading to bites or scratches. These wounds are prone to infections and other complications. Accident only pet insurance helps cover treatments received for such injuries.
Poisoning & Ingestion of Foreign Objects
Pets can be curious creatures, and they may end up ingesting something harmful while exploring their surroundings. This could include toxic plants or foreign objects like toys, coins, and more. An accident-only policy will help reduce the burden of expenses incurred due to treatments needed when these incidents occur.
Burns & Scalds
Burns and scalds can cause excruciating pain in pets, whether it’s from hot surfaces, flames or chemicals. Such injuries require immediate attention from a veterinarian. With an accident only pet insurance policy in place, you won’t have to worry about the cost of medical bills.
Cuts & Lacerations
Cats and dogs can get into all sorts of scrapes and accidents which may result in deep cuts and lacerations that might require stitching up by a vet. The treatment required can be expensive; however, with an accident-only policy, you can rest assured your pet receives the best possible care without worrying about the costs.
Overall, the benefits provided by accident only pet insurance coverage is invaluable when it comes to taking care of your beloved furry friend’s health.
What Isn’t Covered by Accident Only Pet Insurance?
Since accident only pet insurance policies cover only acute injuries caused by accidents and not illnesses or pre-existing conditions’ symptoms. Some common exclusions for this type of plan include:
- Illnesses
- Pre-existing conditions
- Congenital defects
- Dental disease or injury
- Preventive care services (e.g., annual checkups, vaccinations)
- Behavioral issues
It’s crucial to note that different providers may have varying exclusions as part of their coverage policies; therefore It’s essential to read through your policy document thoroughly before signing up.
How Much Does Accident Only Pet Insurance Cost?
The cost of accident only pet insurance can vary based on several factors, including your pet’s breed, age, gender, and any pre-existing health conditions. The more comprehensive the plan, the higher the premiums will be.
However, it’s important to note that the cost of monthly premiums is often lower for accident only policies as they cover a narrower range of events than broader coverage options do.
To ensure you get an affordable policy with reasonable terms and conditions that suit your furry friend’s needs and your budget, compare premiums from different providers before making your purchase. Some insurers also offer discounts if you enroll multiple pets under one policy, so be sure to ask about any available discounts as well.
Final Thoughts
Accident only pet insurance provides pet owners with peace of mind when it comes to covering unexpected veterinary expenses resulting from accidents. While these policies don’t cover illnesses or preventive care services and can have varying exclusions depending on the provider, they are still hugely beneficial for dealing with immediate injury situations.
If you’re considering getting an accident-only policy for your pet but aren’t sure where to start or what to look for in a good policy, do not hesitate to reach out to reputable insurers or online comparison sites like PetInsuranceFinder.com where you can obtain free quotes and compare policies from top-rated providers.
FAQs
What is accident only pet insurance?
Accident only pet insurance is a type of coverage that provides financial protection for veterinary expenses resulting from accidental injuries, such as broken bones or swallowing foreign objects.
What does accident only pet insurance cover?
Accident only pet insurance covers veterinary expenses incurred as a result of accidents, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, X-rays, and medication.
Is accident only pet insurance worth it?
Accident only pet insurance can be worth it if you want financial protection against unexpected veterinary expenses resulting from accidental injuries. However, it will not cover illnesses or routine check-ups.
How much does accident only pet insurance cost?
The cost of accident only pet insurance depends on various factors such as the type of animal insuranced and its age/breed/medical history. Generally speaking though it can be cheaper than comprehensive coverage which includes illness treatment costs.
Can I buy accident only pet insurance for any pets?
Yes, you can buy accident-only pet insurance for dogs, cats and even exotic animals like birds and rabbits, but be aware that every policy may have restrictions depending on the species/breed/size etc.
Are there any limitations to what an accident-only plan will pay out?
Yes! The limitations are usually laid out in the policy documents when getting your coverage from your provider – limits may apply to maximum annual payouts per injury or claim; Some policies may also put limits on how long they cover ongoing treatments related to a single injury/case once certain ceilings are reached – this varies greatly between insurers.
How long will my accident-only policy last?
Usually, terms range between 1-12 months but this again varies greatly depending on the provider you choose; some providers offer longer-term policies if they consider your pet a higher risk or if you apply for one of their older animal coverage options.
Can I upgrade to comprehensive pet insurance?
You can! Most insurers offer comprehensive plans but rules and requirements will vary between providers – check the policies and request upgrades when needed.
Will my premiums change year after year?
Generally, yes. It’s important to note that accident-only insurance costs will often increase as your pet ages or experiences new health problems, so you should expect to pay more each renewal period. However, rates are generally reviewed every year and increases are reasonable (usually not more than 10-15%).
How do I make a claim with accident-only pet insurance?
To make a claim on an accident-only policy, first take your animal for veterinary care in case of unexpected injuries. The charges for the treatment provided must then be sent to your insurer along with a completed claims form; ensuring all details provided match whatever documentation was made available by the hospital/clinic involved. Your insurer may then assess whether these treatments were covered under the policy and issue payment if so – usually this is done within few weeks from receipt of claims documents.