Carver Street Animal Hospital

2703 Carver St

Durham, NC 27705 US

919-477-7319

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Services
    • Meet Our Team
      • Meet Our Wonderful Doctors
      • Meet Our Fabulous Staff
  • Client Info Center
    • Resources
    • Online Forms
    • What to Expect
    • Payment Options
  • Tributes
    • Client Volunteers
    • Pet Memorials
    • Petsimonials
  • Updates
  • Helpful Tips
  • Trusted Links
  • Cat Tips
  • New Puppy Tips
  • Pet Trainer
  • Clinic Hours
    • After Hours Emergency Care
  • Contact Us
  • Veterinary Topics
    • Pet Health
      • Chronic Conditions
      • Digestive and Oral Health
      • Diseases and Viruses
      • Pests and Parasites
      • Orthopedics
    • Today's Veterinarian
    • Choosing Your Pet
      • Finding Your Pet
      • Cats
      • Dogs
      • Exotics
        • Amphibians
        • Birds
        • Reptiles
          • Lizards
          • Turtles
      • Small Mammals
        • Ferrets
        • Rabbits
        • Domesticated Animals
          • Prairie Dogs
        • Pocket Pets
          • Chinchillas
          • Guinea Pigs
          • Hamsters
          • Hedgehogs
          • Rats
      • Livestock
        • Cows
        • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
        • Goats
        • Pigs
        • Poultry
        • Sheep
    • Living With Your Pet
      • Bringing Your Pet Home
      • Children and Pets
      • Providing Care
      • Travel
      • Saying Goodbye
    • Newsletter Library
      • Tips for Pet Owners
      • Seasonal Topics
      • Nutrition & Food
      • Recognizing Illness
      • Visiting the Vet
      • Equine
      • Cats
      • Keeping Pets Healthy
      • Fleas & Parasites
      • Pet Dangers
      • Behavior & Training
      • Newsletter Archive
        • Fun with Pets
        • Unbelievable Pets
    • Video Newsroom
      • Health Topics
      • Technology and Science
      • Other Interests
    • Client Survey
    • Pets4Kids
  • Make an appointment
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Visiting the Vet >
  • Pet Health Insurance

Pet Health Insurance

  • Created in Newsletter Library, Visiting the Vet
Pet Insurance

Does Your Pet Need Insurance?: Pet Health Insurance Basics

Good health doesn't last forever. Even the healthiest pet can eventually develop kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, or swallow string or other foreign object. When illness or injury strikes, pet health insurance can help you avoid an unexpected hit to your bank account.

How Does Pet Health Insurance Work?

Most pet health insurance plans reimburse you for the fees you pay for veterinary care. A few pay veterinarians directly, but only if the veterinary office participates in the plan. After you pay the veterinarian, you'll submit your receipt to the health insurance company and wait for your reimbursement. Pet health insurance plans have exclusions and deductions just like the health insurance you purchase for your family.

Your plan may not cover pre-existing conditions or may only cover a certain percentage of the bill if it determines that the charge is above the usual, customary, and reasonable fee for the service or procedure.

Which Animals Are Covered by Health Insurance?

Dogs and cats aren't the only animals covered by pet health insurance. Plans also cover birds, rabbits, horses, guinea pigs, and other pets. Unlike your own health insurance, you'll be able to choose specific coverage components for your pet.

If you're worried about the cost of veterinary care following an accident, but don't anticipate that you'll ever have any trouble paying for annual exams, teeth cleaning, or vaccinations, you may opt for accident insurance only. Adding illness and wellness coverage ensures that your pet is completely covered no matter the reason for the visit to the veterinarian.

What Should I Consider When Choosing a Pet Health Insurance Company?

Before you commit to a particular company or policy, consider these factors:

  • Coverage. Do you want coverage for accidents, animal care, or illnesses? What services and treatments are included in each component? How are genetic diseases covered? What about high-tech treatments, like laser surgery?
  • Finances. How much will you pay each month in premiums? How much does the company charge for deductibles? Will you have an annual deductible or separate deductibles for each incident? How much will premiums rise every year? Will you pay more to insure your older pet? Is there a discount to cover multiple pets? Will visits to specialists or emergency clinics be covered the same way as visits to your pet's vet?
  • Claims. Are claim forms easy to understand and complete? Can you submit them online? How soon can you expect to receive your reimbursement after submitting your claim?
  • Pre-existing Conditions. Are pre-existing conditions covered? If your pet has a pre-existing condition, can you obtain coverage for the condition after a waiting period? What conditions are considered pre-existing?
  • Portability. Can you still use the insurance if you move to another state or country?

Is Pet Health Insurance a Good Idea for Your Pet?

You'll need to evaluate your finances before making a decision about pet health insurance. Will you be able to pay thousands of dollars if your pet is hit by a car or needs surgery for hip dysplasia? Over the average 10-year lifespan for dogs and 15-year lifespan for cats, pet owners can expect to spend between $9,000 and $13,391, according to a 2018 report by ndp/analytics.

If you have insurance, you won't have to make a difficult decision if you don't have enough savings to cover a big veterinary bill. You'll simply pay for the treatment with a credit card, then make a big credit card payment when you receive your reimbursement.

Insurance is usually a better value if you buy it when your pet is young, but that doesn't mean it's not a good idea if your pet is a few years old. Health insurance can be costly if you buy it for the first time when your pet is older, although coverage is available for senior pets. In some cases, you may find that the covered services don't justify the high monthly premiums for your elderly pet.

Before you make your decision, you may want to talk to your veterinarian. He or she can inform you if certain costly health problems are common in the breed and may even pass along a little information on companies that clinic clients prefer.

Regular veterinary care and pet health insurance can help you ensure that your pet receives the treatment they need. If it's time for your pet's annual exam, or you're concerned about a health problem, give us a call to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

Canine Journal: Is Pet Insurance Worth It?, 9/12/18

https://www.caninejournal.com/is-pet-insurance-worth-it/

Pet MD: What to Ask When Choosing a Pet Health Insurance Provider?

https://www.petmd.com/centers/insurance/evr_what_to_ask_when_choosing_a_pet_health_insurance_provider

NBC News: Pet Insurance: A Good Deal? Or a Rip Off?

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/43916934/ns/business-consumer_news/t/pet-insurance-good-deal-or-rip/#.W-ns9s5KjIU

ndp/analytics: The Economic and Social Contributions of the Animal Health Industry, 2/18

https://www.ahi.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/AnimalHealthIndustryReport_AHI.pdf

  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Exotics
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Ferrets
      • Rabbits
      • Domesticated Animals
        • Prairie Dogs
      • Pocket Pets
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Hamsters
        • Hedgehogs
        • Rats
    • Livestock
      • Cows
      • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
      • Goats
      • Pigs
      • Poultry
      • Sheep
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Children and Pets
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Cats
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Pet Dangers
    • Behavior & Training
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you

Featured Links

Click to find out more

  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
    Learn More
  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home or office.
    View Forms
  • Online Pharmacy

     Please visit our online pharmacy for all your needs.

    Shop Now

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Say

  • "Wow! Thanks to all the staff at Anderson Vet Clinic. I feel like you all truly love what you do! My kitty, Lola and I always have such a pleasant experience when we come in. Fortunately, it’s usually just for a check-up, but I would not leave Lola in anyone else’s hands but yours. Thank you for your caring commitment!"
    Maya Smith / Los Angeles, CA
  • "I have benefited tremendously from the care my pet received from Dr. Anderson."
    John Doe / San Diego, CA
  • "Fabio wasn’t eating the food I was giving him and I didn’t feel he was getting the nutrition he needed. Thanks to Dr. Anderson, he evaluated Fabio and his current diet to make some recommendations and now Fabio has gone from barely eating to finishing his meals and he looks healthier than ever. You clearly are an expert in your field...thanks so much!"
    Tara Brown / Kansas City, MO

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

    The Next Step

    The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. How do I tell my family? Family members usually are already aware of a pet's problems. However, you should ...

    Read More

    Online Games & Quizzes

    In this version of badminton, your tail is the racquet. Make the dolphin do flips and tricks. Play Zipper's Kennel Chaos game! Can you help get water in Zipper's dish? Use your frog tongue to catch delicious bugs. Create your very own prize-winning pooch! Speed down the ice while ...

    Read More

    Battling Canine Cancer

    Every day, Cindy Fleischner lines up her crew of cuddly canines for breakfast. As the four other dogs eat, Cindy pulls Katy, her 12 year old Shepherd mix aside for a peanut butter treat. Katy is battling lymphoma and this treat hides her daily dose of chemotherapy drugs. Katy is not alone in this war. ...

    Read More

    Gastroenteritis in Pets

    Lengthy bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can be a sign that your pet has gastroenteritis, a common condition that occurs when the lining of the stomach and intestines becomes irritated. Since frequent diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, a visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if you notice ...

    Read More

    What You Need to Know About Antibiotics

    Using antibiotics incorrectly may harm, rather than help, your pet. ...

    Read More

    Training Tips for Your Pets

    Has training your pet been a frustrating experience? These training tips may help. ...

    Read More

    World Rabies Day

    Has your pet's rabies vaccine expired? Update it during World Rabies Day on September 28. ...

    Read More

    Why A Vet Is Your Best Defense During A Zombie Apocalypse

    Could your veterinarian help you survive a zombie apocalypse? ...

    Read More

    8 Common Reasons Why Your Dog is Snoring

    Do you know why your dog snores? ...

    Read More

    Becoming a Service Dog: Training and Temperament Are Key Factors

    Service dogs help thousands of disabled Americans become more independent. The first service dogs guided visually impaired people, but today, the dogs assist people who have a variety of disabilities, ranging from hearing loss to seizures to cerebral palsy. Before a dog can become a service animal, it ...

    Read More
No form settings found. Please configure it.

Connect With Us

  • Copyright © 2022 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map