Every pet parent wants their pet to receive the very best medical care, especially when they need it most. However, the costs of medical care can be high, which can put a strain on your wallet. With pet insurance, you can breathe easy. Pet insurance plans cover the costs of covered medical care, often at rates of up to 90%. Each plan is different, with some covering only emergency care, while others will also help with the costs of preventive care like wellness exams and vaccines. With so many options, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which plan is best for you and your pet. Luckily, we’re here to help.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a pet insurance plan:

• How much you’ll be paying each month and if it fits within your budget
• Your deductible and what treatments/procedures apply to help you reach that deductible
• Whether you want preventive care covered in your plan or just unexpected medical care
• How you’ll be reimbursed, and for how much
• What conditions are covered, and if there are limitations such as pre-existing, congenital, or hereditary conditions
• What the plan’s limitations are and if they have a cap on how much you can be reimbursed within a year

Purchasing pet insurance is a big decision, but it’s often an important one that can help you give the best care to your pet in the long run. The best time to enroll your pet in a plan is when they are young and healthy. You’ll often pay lower premiums on a healthy pet, and you won’t have to worry about pre-existing conditions not being covered.

However, even if your pet is a little older, pet insurance may still be one of the best decisions you can make for them. As pets age, they’re more likely to develop unexpected health conditions and if they’re enrolled in a pet insurance plan before those conditions develop, you’re more likely to be covered. Plus, emergency cases can happen at any age, and being covered for emergency care can save you thousands of dollars if an emergency does occur.