Pet Insurance Myths|PetFirst Healthcare

Pet Insurance Myths & Rumors

Pet insurance is a tool to help pet parents avoid a financial crisis due to unexpected veterinary expenses from accidents and illnesses. There are many misconceptions about pet insurance, for instance, that it is a scam due to exclusions or that only pets with major medical incidents benefit from having it.

With the advances in veterinary medicine and the higher cost of treatments, pet insurance allows pet parents to give their pets the best care available while controlling costs. New treatments have been developed to treat diseases that previously resulted in euthanasia, but these treatments can be expensive. Pet insurance allows pet parents to not feel guilty because they are not able to afford their pet's healthcare. With pet insurance, they can seek the care their pet needs because they know they will be reimbursed for the cost of the procedures and treatments.

If there is a myth or rumor we do not address about pet insurance, please contact us. We will be happy to give you the facts so you can make the best decision for your pet.

MYTH 1: Pet insurance is too expensive

While plans with additional riders and high reimbursement amounts can lead to a high monthly premium, PetFirst Healthcare offers plans that fit all pet parents' needs and budget.

PetFirst offers a low-cost introductory plan, First Coverage, for only $5 the first month and $14.95 each month thereafter, which provides pets $1,000 of accident and illness coverage and reimburses pet parents 100% of vet bills after a $50 deductible.

For pet parents who are interested in covering routine care, such as vaccinations and flea, tick and heartworm protection, PetFirst offers a comprehensive plan, Basic, for $38.95 per month for dogs which provides $7,500 of accident and illness coverage, as well as $125 worth of routine care reimbursement.

PetFirst is also one of the only pet insurance providers that allow pet parents to have multiple pets on a Family Plan policy, which provides greater savings. We are also one of the only providers that provide plans for senior pets who are more than 10-years-old.

MYTH 2: It's only for sickly pets

Pet insurance is a product that only works preemptively, and all pet insurance providers exclude pre-existing conditions. Pet insurance is meant to protect your pet against potential accidents and illnesses. Certain breeds are more predisposed than others to specific illnesses, which can encourage the purchase of a policy, but all pets have the risk of having an accident or coming down with an illness. It isn't a matter of if they will become hurt or sick, it is just a matter of when. Just like the rest of your family, pets need to be covered beforehand. The best time to purchase pet insurance for your pet is when they are healthy.

MYTH 3: There are too many exclusions to be worth it

Pet insurance protects against countless accidents and diseases your pet may encounter. Most pet insurance providers have exclusions in place in order to keep monthly premiums low and affordable, and PetFirst is no exception. The most common exclusions are pre-existing conditions, hereditary, congenital and chronic conditions. The cost of covering these conditions greatly expands the cost of pet insurance coverage, as these conditions are not only expensive, but last the duration of your pet’s life.

In order to provide pet owners with more options, PetFirst offers optional riders that cover several of our exclusions, including hereditary, congenital and chronic conditions. PetFirst offers riders that counter eight of our exclusions.

MYTH 4: You can't choose your own vet

While some pet insurance providers are little more than veterinarian networks or discount clubs, PetFirst is usable at any veterinarian office in the United States. This includes specialists and urgent-care clinics. PetFirst has made a promise to veterinarians to not promote managed-care principles or animal-hospital networks because we feel each veterinarian should have the right to set his/her own price.

MYTH 5: Pet insurance is a hassle