It is a struggle to see your pet get diagnosed with cancer, and not have the financial means to save their life. The only option left may be the heartbreaking decision to euthanize them.
Now the question you must be asking, is pet insurance for cancer worth the price?
Well, let’s dive in and find out.
How serious is cancer in pets?
When a cat or dog gets cancer, they have a 50/50 chance of surviving. However, cancer does not have to win. The great part is that technology and medicine are constantly advancing every year that cancer care has significantly improved and is rapidly evolving.
SRS/SRT or stereotactic radiation has played a significant role in treating cancers that were previously deadly and incurable. Similar to humans, it’s vital to prepare financially for your pet’s health. Fortunately, with health and pet insurance, you will be able to emphasize your decision on what’s best for your dog or cat without thinking about finances. With that in mind, you will not have to choose between your wallet and your companion.
If your pet is part of the family, and you want to give them the best care, and you don’t have the financial means to cover everything, then the answer is yes, pet insurance is definitely worth it.
How Much Does Cancer Care Cost for Pets?
In the veterinarian professions, doctors that decided to undergo further education to become a specialist in cancer care are called veterinarian oncologist. These individuals specialize in treating and diagnosing cancer in pets. The veterinarian radiation oncologist focus on using radiation therapy to treat cancer.
As the years go by, the specialists are performing the latest procedures and using advanced equipment, so pets can live longer and receive better care. However, this often means a very expensive cost to save the pet’s life. The cost of treatment depends on the individual treatment strategy. If the patient requires a combination of chemotherapy and surgery, then the cost can add up to more than $10,000.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Cancer?
If the dog or cat is covered by the insurance before getting diagnosed with cancer, most companies will cover the care. If you’re pet already has been diagnosed, then this is considered a pre-existing condition. That means no insurance carrier will cover that, so the earlier you get your beloved pet insured, the better.
Usually, cancer is often included in the coverage plan. The majority of the carriers often provide advanced treatment, especially for cancer. It’s essential to contact the insurance provider to see which plan includes comprehensive cancer care, make sure to check if it covers testing and diagnostic, and get a list of cancer treatments that they offer coverage.
How do you know which insurance is right for your pet?
It really depends on the coverage you get, so here are some factors to consider:
- Wellness care
- Acupuncture or rehabilitation
- Pet discounts
- Diagnostic test for cancer
- Congenital or hereditary condition
How to choose the perfect pet insurance?
Finding the perfect pet insurance can be challenging, and it does require some careful research and comparison. The good part is most insurance provider can talk to you on the phone to guide you to the perfect coverage.
The best place to start is to contact your veterinarian for more information on the breed and the pet’s health. Your veterinarian can provide you with information that you can ask the insurance provider to get a better idea of which plan is perfect for your four-legged friend.
What to do if your pet has cancer, but you don’t have pet insurance?
Here are some ideas to help you during this stressful situation:
Crowdfunding
Use crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe to ask friends and family to support your pet. This is an excellent way for you to share your story and collect financial support. Ask the veterinarian if you can include their information, so people know that this is a real situation.
Financing
you can go to the bank and get a credit card or loan to finance the diagnostic tests, treatment, and procedures.
Look For An Organization
Some programs and organizations offer financial support to pet owners that can’t afford to pay their vet bill. Some organizations emphasize on particular pet conditions and breed. You can ask your veterinarian where you can find the organization to help you. The American Veterinarian Medical Foundation has plenty of information and guidance for pet owners.
Does Figo Pet Insurance Cover Cancer
You must be wondering about pet insurance that covers cancer. Well when it comes to Figo, the answer is yes; they cover cancer treatment, diagnostic tests and procedures, and plenty more. They have other coverage, such as:
- Emergency and hospitalization
- Surgery
- Veterinarian specialist
- Congenital and hereditary condition
- Cancer
- Chronic condition
- Prescriptions
- Exam and consultation fees
- New conditions
- Orthopedics
- Imaging
- Hip dysplasia
What to Look for in a Pet Insurance Plan?
Every pet insurance company may seem identical, but they are quite different. It’s vital to look at the ratings, reviews, policies, prices, and much more to get an idea of which plan fits your needs.
With that in mind, here are some factors to look for when it comes to your Pet’s Insurance
Condition Deductible versus Annual Deductible
If you choose an annual deductible, you will not have to pay deductibles for the remainder of the period. However, a condition deductible emphasizes specific illness or health issues that the pet has. That means cancer treatment might be a separate deductible than an ear infection. Keep in mind that the annual deductible usually reimburses you more than per condition or per-incident deductible.
Coverage
You want to know the medical expenses that are covered and ones that are not. It’s best to compare those with other pet insurance companies. All the coverage is usually provided on the website, policy, or you can get it through the phone.
Reimbursement
Not all companies will pay the veterinarian bill, and some don’t even cover the fees. It’s essential to check the insurance plan to see what injuries, illnesses, and examinations they cover and reimburse. In addition to that, some plans provide a deductible associate with treatments that are urgent and life-saving as well as co-pay.
Claim limits
Some pet insurance companies will have a claim limit every year, per incident, or over the pet’s lifetime.
Terms and testimonials
It’s best to read the contract terms thoroughly and ask any questions that you need to the insurance provider.
Pre-existing conditions
No pet insurance provider will reimburse or cover any pre-existing condition. A pre-existing condition is any illness, symptoms, or injury that manifested before the animal’s policy or during the waiting period.
Conclusion
Seeing your beloved pet suffering from cancer is very heartbreaking. It’s even worse if you don’t have the financial means to save his or her life. This is why it’s critical to get pet insurance, so you will not have to choose between breaking the bank and your pet’s life.
With that in mind, make the right choice today, and call an insurance provider, compare rates, read the reviews, check what’s covered, and look through the policy to get the perfect pet insurance.