Wellness plans and pet insurance are two different options to help make your pet’s veterinary care more affordable. There are some key benefits to both of these options but it's important to understand the differences between them. Today, our Hoquiam vets explain more about wellness plans and pet insurance.
Protecting Your Pet's Future
Wellness plans and pet insurance policies both offer benefits, but they are very different. It’s important for pet owners to understand what types of services your pet is and isn't covered for whether you opt for a wellness plan or pet insurance. By understanding these options you won't be left out of pocket when you visit your vet or need to plan the payment for your pet's health care.
What is a wellness plan?
Wellness plans make it easier for you to cover the cost of routine veterinary care and, unlike pet insurance, you only pay for the treatments and services you use throughout the year.
Wellness plans allow you to adopt a more proactive approach to veterinary care by spreading out the cost of your pet's annual preventive care over 12 easy payments. These plans help your vet spot early signs of any problems or diseases your pet may have before they become more serious, and more expensive to treat.
What does a wellness plan cover?
Typically, wellness plans cover routine vet care such as wellness exams, parasite preventives, annual blood testing and vaccines. Improving and maintaining the standard of your pet’s overall health throughout their lifetime is easier because these plans spread out the cost of routine vet care.
What is pet insurance?
If your pet requires emergency veterinary care, pet insurance will help you to take care of the cost of treatment.
Emergency treatment or treating an illness like cancer or diabetes can become very expensive. Pet insurance coverage means you will have financial help to pay the bills for any conditions and accidents that are covered by your pet's insurance policy.
What does pet insurance cover?
Policies differ somewhat but they generally cover treatment for illnesses or emergency treatment required after accidents. Some policies also include prescription medications and the treatment of hereditary and congenital conditions as well as orthopedic conditions. Be sure to take a few minutes to review your pet's specific policy so that you know which conditions are covered.
How do I choose which option to buy?
Making sure you know exactly how wellness plans and pet insurance can benefit you and your pet can help you decide which is right for you. While some pet owners choose either a wellness plan or pet insurance, others subscribe to both to ensure their pet has complete healthcare coverage.
If you aren't sure which coverage is right for you, ask your vet. They can help you decide which coverage is best for you based on your pet's particular needs and concerns.