Are You Insured? Pros and Cons of Pet Insurance

More and more people are disassociating themselves from the “dog owner” label and are instead embracing the role of pet parent.  We are realizing that dogs are not mere objects to own but members of our family and therefore should be treated with as much care and respect as you would your own kids. Birthdays, holidays, family vacations and even the occasional spa day or restaurant outing are some of the events in which including the family dog isn’t so unheard of anymore.

As a cherished member of the family, it’s important to keep your dog happy, healthy, and well adjusted.  Proper obedience training, biologically appropriate nutrition, and regular visits to your veterinarian are all important ways we can help ensure our dogs get the best opportunity to live a long and happy life.

Health Insurance Not Just for People Anymore

Similar to health insurance for people, pet insurance can cover everything from routine checkups, emergency procedures, alternative therapies and even genetic conditions (depending on the plan).

Pros and Cons of Pet Insurance

• Pet insurance can help cover costs associated with routine care, accidents, illness, medications, and immunizations (depending on the plan).
• Some policies will cover prescription foods or alternative therapy such as acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathic, or hydrotherapy.
• Many plans are customizable so you can add or remove coverage as needed.
• Most companies offer a 30 money-back guarantee if you decided to cancel and don’t use the insurance within the 30 day window.

While there are many people that swear by having insurance for their pets, there are some critics out there that aren’t as convinced. The main arguments against pet insurance are:

• Some policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions and have strict guidelines on what is considered a “pre-existing condition”.
• Some companies have age-limits set within their plans. This means that older pets may have reduced coverage or worse, they may not even qualify to be covered.
• Some plans require that you seek care from an in-network veterinarian in order to qualify for insurance reimbursement.
• Some plans charge a penalty if you cancel your plan early so be aware of this.

Questions to Ask When Shopping Around

Here are some questions you should ask:

1. “Can I choose my own vet or do they have to be part of your in-plan network?”
2. “Do you cover:”
• Genetic conditions (hereditary/congenital)?
• Alternative therapies (chiropractic, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, etc.)?
• Pre-existing conditions?
• Breeding, whelping, pregnancy?
• Prescription drugs or food?
3. “How is reimbursement calculated?” (Actual vet bill vs. average rate for service)
4. “Can I customize my plan such as choosing my own deductible or adding/removing benefits?”
5. “Are there policy payout limits? If so, what are they and are they based on per incident, annual, or lifetime basis?”
6. “Do you exclude dogs that are fed raw food diets from your coverage?”
7. “Are there any multi-pet rates, military discounts or any other offers available?”
   
   

   Looking for a great health insurance for your pet? Get a FREE QUOTE: Embrace Pet Insurace Why Embrace is best for your pet: No networks – you can use your own vet. Their plans cover genetic conditions. Customer service rated 9 out of 10! They use your actual vet bill to calculate your claim refund. You can customize your plan to fit your pet’s needs. Lifelong protection for your pet – they cover chronic conditions. PLUS your premium doesn’t go up because of your claims.

So what do you think? Is pet insurance right for you and your pooch? Share your comments or experiences with pet insurance on our blog (barfworld.com/blog) and join the conversation.

Amber Keiper is the Marketing Assistant and Raw Diet Educator for BARF World Inc.. She and her husband have two former rescue animals that are now healthy and proud “BARF brats” – a terrier mix named Chewbacca (“Chewy”) and a tabby mix named Chiquita (“Chiqui”). For more articles like these and to learn more about the benefits of raw food for your pets, sign up for The Intelligent Pet monthly e-zine at www.barfworld.com.

Stay Prepared For Any Emergency with the K-911 Pet First Aid Kit

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control hotline (1-888- 426-4435) reports that they normally handle over 150,000 calls a year from pet owners whose pets have been poisoned.

Don’t let this happen to your dog! Be prepared for any emergency with the K-911 Pet First Aid Kit.

“Why is this kit different than any other pet first aid kit out there?”

• Each remedy in the kit is perfect to use for both pets and people so you don’t have to waste money or time fumbling through multiple first aid items when a crisis occurs.
  
  
• The remedies chosen are the “best of the best”, have been pre-tested by both pets and people, and provide quick, effective relief in any emergency.
  
  
• The K-911 kit is GUARANTEED to contain the least invasive remedies available so they are as safe to use but just as effective.
  
  
• We teamed up with veterinarians that practice both traditional and holistic medicine as well as human doctors to create a kit that encompasses all modalities of treatment for maximum success.
  
  

Here’s what you’ll get:

• A complete 71 piece Pet First Aid Kit containing every essential first aid item in a handy zippered bag (a $30 value).
• A comprehensive pet first aid handbook with detailed step-by-step instructions on how to handle the most common pet emergencies.
• Rescue Remedy Spray for stress, anxiety and trauma.
• Silver First Aid Gel to help disinfect and speed up healing of cuts, burns, scrapes, and bruises naturally without stinging or harsh antibiotic.
• Cut Rescue Powder - a natural, non-damaging styptic powder for cuts, scrapes and bleeding.
• Lavender Noni Lotion for hot spots, cuts, and scrapes.
• Traumeel Oral Drops for natural pain relief.
• Nux Vom Oral Drops for tummy upset and vomiting.
• Luxolite Bentonite Clay for digestive issues and diarrhea.

This best-selling first aid kit sold out during its initial release but is NOW BACK IN STOCK and ready to ship. Don’t wait another minute! Disaster can strike at any moment and you don’t want to be caught unprepared.

Get your K-911 Pet First Aid kit for only $149.97
ON SALE NOW for $129.97!

Sale ends April 30, 2012

Mass. court rules against veterinarian on lecture

“The highest court in Massachusetts on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by a veterinarian who claimed Tufts University violated her constitutional rights and caused her emotional distress when she was banned from attending a campus lecture after she had a dispute with the school's veterinary clinic over treatment of her horse.

Margo Roman said in her lawsuit that a Tufts veterinarian accused her of malpractice for using holistic methods and refusing to euthanize her horse, Champ, who was suffering from cancer. Roman said the school later threatened to have her arrested when she arrived on campus for a lecture on the alleged dangers of feeding a raw diet to pets.”
(Read full article here)

Wags of Wisdom:

“God made the earth, the sky and the water, the moon and the sun. He made man and bird and beast. But He didn’t make the dog. He already had one.”
-Native American saying