5 benefits of pet insurance to consider right meow
We insure our vehicles, homes, health and more—but what about the furry members of our families?
While many pet owners have not traditionally carried pet insurance, more are starting to find value in the coverage.
Citing information from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, Consumer Reports says about 1.4 million pets in the U.S. and Canada were covered by a plan at the end of 2014. That’s less than 1 percent of about 174 million pet cats and dogs, but up from 680,000 policies in 2008, according to the story.
Pet insurance has become one of the fastest growing segments of insurance in the U.S. And last year, Dupaco Insurance Services began offering Figo Pet Insurance to bring dog and cat owners peace of mind.
“After all, our pets are a part of our family,” says Chris Rogers, senior insurance agent at Dupaco Insurance Services. “We cover our family members for health insurance to help us recover from the unexpected medical costs. Why not insure your pet as well?”
Not sure if pet insurance is the right fit for you and your pet? Here are five benefits to consider:
It can make treatment affordable
Expenses add up with even the healthiest of pets—food, toys, boarding, pet licenses and the occasional visit to the veterinarian. When your dog or cat requires emergency medical treatment, veterinarian bills can soar into the thousands of dollars.
Pet insurance can help defer those costs.
“With veterinarian costs, just like health care costs, on the rise, sometimes we cannot afford the proper treatment for our pets,” Rogers says. “But with pet insurance, it can make the treatment affordable and provide peace of mind for the pet owners.”
You pick the plan
Figo Pet Insurance offers three plans, including $10,000, $14,000 and unlimited annual coverage. With each of these plans, you customize your reimbursement percentage and annual deductible.
“You can choose the plan that best fits your needs,” Rogers says. “When choosing a plan, you’ll want to consider the breed, as some breeds have a history of health issues.”
It covers nearly all illnesses and injuries
All illnesses and injuries—including cancer, hip dysplasia and hereditary and congenital conditions—are covered by Figo Pet Insurance if they were not pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is any condition that shows clinical signs prior to the start of your policy period and relevant waiting period. Here’s a list of other services not covered by Figo Pet Insurance.
You choose the veterinarian
Have a favorite veterinarian? No problem. Unlike human health insurance, pet insurance allows you to take your sick or injured dog or cat to any licensed veterinarian, emergency room or specialist in the U.S. or Canada.
It’s easy to manage
Dupaco members can research and get a pet insurance quote within minutes.
“It’s totally self-service, and the communications with Figo are extremely easy,” says Tim Bemis, insurance services manager at Dupaco Insurance Services.
Figo is the first cloud-based pet insurance company, allowing you to submit claims by uploading a bill from any device, share your pet’s medical records any time, get reminders when vaccinations are due and more.
