• Accident Coverage – covers acute injuries directly resulting from an accident.   Broken leg, hit by car
• Illness Coverage – covers diagnoses and treatment of disease conditions or changes in your pet’s normal health status. Kidney disease, diarrhea
• Wellness Coverage – covers routine health care. ie. Vaccines, heartworm prevention
• Dental Coverage – covers routine dental cleaning

The maximum payable amounts can be calculated in several different ways.

• Total amount per year : A set dollar amount is available each year regardless of how many different accidents or illness are treated. (typically $1500-$20,000/year)
  • Advantages: good for conditions that require more extensive/costly treatments
  • Disadvantages: not good for pets that have multiple illnesses/accidents throughout the year

• Amount per condition: A set dollar amount is available for each separate illness or accident. The amount is generally renewed annually. (typically $1000-$5000/condition)
  • Advantages: allows an unlimited number of separate illnesses to be covered
  • Disadvantages: may not cover full cost of extensive treatments

• Unlimited – no limits on amount claimed

The amount that you are required to pay before insurance coverage takes effect can be calculated in two ways

• Annual deductible: must be paid once per year. This may be satisfied on one or more claims.
  • Advantages: Easy to budget for and it doesn’t matter how many conditions occur each year
  • Disadvantages: Chronic or lifelong conditions will require the deductible to be paid each year.

• Per condition deductible: must be paid for each NEW condition that is diagnosed or accident that occurs.
  • Advantages: Chronic or lifelong conditions only require deductible to be paid once
  • Disadvantages: If multiple conditions occur within a year they will each require a deductible. Related conditions may be subject to deductible as well.

 Some costs may or may not be covered depending on the particular policy.

• Exam fees
• Prescription diets used to treat specific medical conditions
• Alternative therapies – chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, homeopathy
• Behavioural therapy
• Lost pet advertising and reward
• Holiday cancelation (if you must cancel a trip because your pet becomes ill)

The percentage of each claim that is paid by the insurance company. 

• This may be calculated either before taxes or including taxes
• Most policies that pay a higher percentage do not pay for any taxes thereby making the actual payout virtually the same