Washington might be consumed with talk about medical insurance, but there’s a whole segment of the population that still won’t be covered, no matter what kind of reform takes place. Yes, I’m talking about pets.

Now, I realize pets aren’t people. I also realize that a pet, like other things you own, comes with expenses. There are shots, there are vet checkups and there are, unfortunately, medical emergencies.

Vet expenses aren’t cheap

Like medical care for people, however, medical care for pets can get pretty expensive. Even if you find a relatively low-cost vet, if something goes wrong you could very well be looking at hundreds or thousands of dollars in pet health care costs.

For  most people, taking care of their pet’s medical needs is worth it, no matter what the cost. This is especially true for people who have made an investment in their pet by buying a pure breed or an animal with a specialized purpose, such as a hunting dog.

Pet insurance is an option

There are a number of different providers that offer pet insurance. You’re not likely to get pet insurance from your auto or homeowners insurance company, however. And unless you work for a company that deals specifically with the vet industry, chances are your employer isn’t going to provide it either.

Pet medical insurance plans vary greatly. In most cases, the policy covers a general category of animal. The four broad categories are dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets. So, if you have more than one pet or more than one type of pet, you probably need to get more than one insurance policy.

What does pet insurance pay?

Pet insurance typically pays up to about 70 percent of your vet bill. The remaining charge is up to you to pay. You’re not likely to have a pet insurance policy that covers 100 percent, or that covers every type of ailment, either.

Most pet insurance companies offer different tiers of coverage. At each tier, they may cover things like common problems such as infections, emergency care such as being hit by a car or eating something poisonous, severe problems like back issues or cancers, and routine care such as flea medicine or vaccinations.

What determines your premium?

Pet insurance companies will charge your premium based on a number of factors, such as the type of your pet, the type of coverage, prior medical problems and the age of the animal. A young animal with a good health history will naturally have a lower premium than an older one that’s a breed known to have issues.

Talk to your pet insurance provider today to see what options are available for your pets.

Photo via Pacdog