Like in humans, illnesses and injuries are inevitable in the case of pets. Signing up for a pet insurance plan keeps your pet’s health costs in check. But there are so many pet insurance plans out there, which makes picking the right plan a complex task. The following tips can help you select the best health insurance plan for your pet.

• Determine how much coverage you want

Firstly, you need to decide how much coverage you need.

Do you only need coverage for routine care such as vaccinations, flea and heartworm prevention, wellness exams, and tests? Or, do you want to cover curable conditions and chronic diseases such as cancer or diabetes as well? If you’re unsure, it’s advisable that you discuss your pet’s health with your veterinarian. Based on your pet’s breed and health history, they can give you an idea of what health conditions your pet may face as they age. Also, consider whether you want the pet insurance plan to cover emergency costs due to accidents like cuts or broken legs.

• Understand how reimbursement is calculated and how deductibles work

Most pet insurance providers reimburse you for a percentage of the eligible veterinarian bill. When you purchase the plan, providers often let you select a reimbursement percentage, which can be 70%, 80%, or 90%. However, you must know that these calculations differ across plans.

A deductible is an amount you pay out of pocket before the insurance plan is initiated. When choosing a deductible, it is important to know that a higher deductible will lower your monthly premium, but your out-of-pocket costs will be higher in case your pet needs medical care. Choosing a lower deductible will raise your monthly premium, but lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

• Compare different pet insurance providers

Before you sign up for a pet insurance plan, it is crucial that you compare several plans. This will help you find out differences in plan costs, premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and reimbursements. You can also check what different plans cover and additional features of specific plans. For example, some pet insurers offer discounts on insuring more than one pet. The best way to find the right plan is to check and compare all the necessary details among multiple plans.