Dental Insurance for Pets

If you have ever ended up forking out for your pet to get dental treatment then you will realise that it isn't cheap! Which is why it's recommended that you take out dental insurance for your pets. Dental insurance for pets was once difficult to find, but is now widely available. Most major pet insurance companies offer dental insurance, which can either be taken out separately or added on to your existing pet insurance policy.

Emergency Treatment or Maintenance?

Dental insurance for pets will differ in terms of cover from one insurer to another. Some insurance policies will only cover emergency treatment whereas others will provide coverage for regular cleaning and maintenance work. The type of dental insurance you take out for your pet should match the current dental and physical health of your pet, and obviously your budget limitations. It's also worth noting that just like car insurance, some policies will require you to pay an excess before any treatment can commence. This could prove to be costly if your pet has lots of dental problems.

Dental Plans

So how exactly does dental insurance work for pets? Well, it works in a similar way to human dental plans. The cover levels, benefits and features of your pet's dental plan will depend on the policy you have taken out. Generally, a veterinarian will see your pet, you will then pay any upfront fees, and the remainder is then billed to the insurance company. In some cases, you may be required to pay for the entire visit up-front. You would then submit a claim for reimbursement to your insurer.

Are You Already Covered?

Before you take out an additional dental insurance policy for your pet, look at your existing medical or pet insurance. In some cases, your pet may be covered which will mean you don't need to pay out for a separate dental plan.

Read the Policy Small Print

It's also wise to read the small print before you commit to dental insurance for your pet. Things to look out for include:

• How much excess they expect you to pay before treatment can commence
• What treatments are covered by the policy
• Where you can seek treatment - Some insurance policies will stipulate which veterinarian practises you are allowed to use