How Much Is Pet Insurance in Missouri? (2024 Update)
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Knowing how much pet insurance will cost for your beloved furry family member in the state of Missouri is an important part of pet ownership. With so many insurance providers offering a wide range of plans and coverage options, it can be hard to know where to begin when looking for the right insurance plan.
Fortunately, there are a few key factors that can help you get an idea of how much pet insurance in Missouri will cost in this year. From understanding the different types of coverage available to assessing your pet’s individual needs, this guide will help you make an informed decision about your pet’s insurance plan. With the right plan, you can ensure that your pet is always protected and that you’re not breaking the bank to do so. So, let’s take a look.
The Importance of Pet Insurance
If you’re considering buying a new pet or have recently purchased a dog or cat, here are a few benefits to consider when it comes to pet insurance.
- It allows you to easily budget your pet care costs: You can pay your pet insurance policy monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually. The best payment plan for you is up to you. Many plans provide discounts for additional pets.
- Insurance provides security: Pet insurance gives you the freedom to select the best treatment for your pet, regardless of their financial situation. Many pet insurance policies cover up to 80%-90% of the costs, after deducting any excess.
- You can choose your veterinarian: For reimbursement of eligible expenses, you simply need to provide the veterinary bill from a licensed vet.
- Doesn’t discriminate against any dog/cat breed: Most legal dog and cat breeds qualify for pet insurance (you may want to ask about exotic animals such as reptiles and birds). This means that if you have a breed that is especially prone to certain health conditions, you can still typically get coverage.
- Stops you from dipping into your family’s emergency fund: Although you can create a pet savings account, it can be difficult to keep yourself from using this account for unexpected expenses such as car repairs or household renovations. Pet insurance ensures that the money can only be used for your pet’s healthcare.
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How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
If you’re living in the state of Missouri and want pet insurance, you can expect to pay about $40 for dogs and about $25 a month for cats on average. But the exact amount of your pet insurance will vary depending on whether you have a dog or a cat, its age, breed, and current state of health.
However, you will find that dog insurance is typically more expensive than cat insurance. The reason is that dogs are larger and animals that are larger or older will have higher insurance rates as they typically have the most health issues. Your provider will take a look at your pet’s stats, your location, and then give you a quote.
Additional Costs to Anticipate
Just like with any other type of insurance, it’s important to think about the additional costs that you may need to pay when getting coverage for your pet. Here are some of the costs to consider:
Deductibles
The deductible for your pet insurance refers to any out-of-pocket costs that you must pay before your insurance policy actually kicks in. That being said, it’s important to know how much you can afford to pay for a deductible if you need to get emergency treatment for your pet. For example, can you afford a $2,500 deductible? Or is a $1,000 deductible more your speed? Keep in mind, the higher your deductible, the lower premium you’ll usually pay as a result. So, it’s best to find a happy medium.
Co-pays
Co-pays pretty much work the same way as well. This refers to the dollar amount that you will pay for each visit to the vet. On average, your co-pay will typically be anywhere between $20 and $50 per visit. If you can get a co-pay that’s on the lower end of $15 to $20, that’s even better. Higher co-pays can add up quickly if you have a pet with a health condition or one that you take to the vet regularly for check-ups.
Annual Benefit Coverage Maximum
Your annual benefit maximum refers to the maximum amount of money that your insurance will pay as reimbursement for your pet’s treatments and checkups. On average, this can range anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 or more. It helps you to have some sort of idea of how much money you spend per year on pet care.
This way, you can look at the annual benefit limit for each provider to decide which provider has a plan that suits you best. It’s also worth noting that some providers have various plans available, where you can choose from different levels of annual benefits.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Essentially, pet insurance works in the same way as homeowners and auto insurance but it is for your pet. A policy is created with a monthly premium (paid by you), specific coverage, deductible amounts, and reimbursement processes with the provider.
The three main types of coverage available to pet owners are accident and illness, accident-only, or wellness plans. Accident and illness policies provide coverage for injuries as well as most other illnesses. However, accident-only policies won’t cover injuries. Your pet’s preventative care costs such as routine vaccinations and annual checkups are covered by wellness plans.
You can tailor your pet’s health coverage to suit their needs, just like human beings. Most pet insurance providers will limit your pet’s annual coverage to $5,000 to $10,000. Vets recommend that you get pet insurance when your pet is young, healthy, and free from pre-existing conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few common questions that pet owners have when seeking insurance for their furry friends.
Are there any incident or illness caps?
A cap is a limitation on the amount your provider will pay in a given time period. While most pet insurance policies have a cap on the annual or lifetime amount, they don’t usually have caps for specific treatments or illnesses. Most pet insurance providers will have annual limits which vary depending on what plan you choose.
Are you looking for a discount plan or a pet insurance plan?
Yes, there’s a difference between the two. A discount fee plan requires you to pay an annual fee. You pay less when your pet is taken in for care. A checkup may cost $100 but you will only be paying $80.
Your pet’s health insurance plan may cover them in the same way as your own health insurance plan. The insurance policy requires you to pay a monthly premium (anywhere from $25-$50/month). Insurance covers certain conditions and types of visits. You pay a co-payment or deductible when you bring your pet to the veterinarian and the provider covers the rest.
Do I get to choose my vet?
It all depends on which provider you choose and what type of coverage you have, but many
providers allow you to go to any vet you choose. It’s best to find this out before you actually sign up for the plan, especially if you want to stick with a specific veterinarian in your area. It may also be a good idea to ask if the company provider offers telehealth services and if they do have specifications about which vets are included in their programs.
What is a waiting period?
A waiting period for insurance is when your coverage will begin. It can be anywhere from 7 to 14 days depending on the condition. And in some cases, it can be several months. Knowing when your coverage begins is crucial, so your pet doesn’t have to be treated if they aren’t covered. As with all insurance, there might be a waiting time before the policy takes effect.
What types of services will plans not cover?
The conditions that the plan covers will vary. For example, your pet’s health care plan may not cover preexisting conditions (which is fairly common among companies) or hereditary issues, but you may be able to pay more to cover the condition. So, talk to your plan provider to find out if there are any special cases or coverage additions you might be able to get.
Are spaying and neutering covered by pet insurance plans?
This coverage is not available with basic illness or accident pet insurance, but it’s offered in certain wellness and preventive care pet insurance plans. Since most pet owners use this service, spaying and neutering coverage can be a great benefit.
Will pet insurance cover prescription medicines for my pet?
While some policies cover prescriptions, others provide it as an optional extra or add-on. However, many of the larger companies offer prescription coverage for certain illnesses. You’ll typically need to purchase the Accident and Illness plan and then add prescription coverage if your plan doesn’t include it.
What is a deductible, and do I always have to pay it?
The deductible is the amount of money that you’ll pay out of your own pocket before your insurance covers any fees. Deductibles can vary from one plan to another, depending on how much you pay. You should choose a plan with a deductible that you can afford. You should also keep in mind that deductibles with lower amounts will result in higher premiums. You can lower your monthly costs if you choose a higher deductible.
Many pet insurance policies will reimburse you instead of paying the full amount after you have paid your deductible. You take your pet to the vet and pay upfront for their care. The provider would then reimburse you for any amount that they were responsible for according to the plan you chose.
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Conclusion
Pet insurance provides you with peace of mind and the confidence to make the best healthcare decisions for your pet. Pet insurance protects you from unexpected medical expenses and allows you to concentrate on what is really important: being there for your pet’s needs. There are several providers in the Missouri area, so it’s best to call around and get a few quotes before deciding which one would be best for your pet specifically.
And remember, when you’re getting quotes be sure to ask about the monthly premium, deductible options, annual maximum, co-pay, and total list of coverages – this way you can sort of create a chart for each provider that you speak with to decide which one will work best for your needs.
Featured Image Credit: Visivastudio, Shutterstock
