Wellness plans and pet insurance are two different options to help make your pet’s healthcare more affordable. There are distinct benefits to both of these options, but it's important to understand the differences between them. Here, our Lisle 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 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 veterinary 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 paying a small monthly amount rather than a lump sum each visit. These plans help your vet spot early signs of any conditions or diseases your pet may have before they become more serious, and more expensive to treat.
What does a wellness plan cover?
Generally, wellness plans cover routine vet care including wellness exams, parasite preventives, annual blood testing, and vaccines. Improving and maintaining the standard of your pet’s overall health during their lifetime is easier because these plans spread out the cost of routine vet care.
What is pet insurance?
Should your pet require urgent or emergency veterinary care, pet insurance helps you to take care of the cost of treatment.
The fact is that emergency treatment or treating an illness like cancer or diabetes can become very expensive. If you have pet insurance it means you will have financial help to pay the bills for any conditions and accidents that are covered by your pet insurance policy.
What does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance policies differ but they generally cover treatment for illnesses or emergency treatment required after accidents. Some policies may also include prescription medications and the treatment of hereditary and congenital conditions as well as orthopedic conditions.
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. Some pet owners choose either a wellness plan or pet insurance, while others subscribe to both to ensure their pet has complete coverage.
If you aren't sure which coverage is right for you, ask your vet. They can help you decide based on your pet's particular needs and concerns.