Pet owners that I consult with tell me that it can be overwhelming to try and narrow down their choices from the dozen or so companies that insure pets in the United States and finally select one to insure their pet. Many simply don't know where to begin.
It's very important that you make a wise selection the first time because if you are later unhappy with your choice and want to switch insurers, any conditions your pet has been previously diagnosed with likely won't be covered in the new policy because it will be considered a pre-existing condition.
In the Toolkit, I show you a 5 step method to systematically research all the companies that insure pets in the United States. Most people that use the Toolkit say that they were able to eliminate several companies with each step so that by the time they got to step 4, they were down to just 2 or 3 companies to choose from.
The Pet Insurance Toolkit is designed to provide you with the information and tools needed to thoroughly research all the pet insurance companies that insure pets in the United States, compare them side by side, and then select the company you feel is the best one to insure your pet. It is truly an "all-in-one" resource.
Why should you spend the time doing the research yourself? As a veterinarian, I see clients who recently purchased pet insurance, and when I ask them about their policy, it's obvious that they don't really have a grip on what they bought. It's unlikely they will be able to maximize the benefits of the policy for their pet, and therefore minimize their out-of-pocket expense for their pet's healthcare.
On the other hand, there are readers of my blog and users of the Toolkit who write me giving in minute details the pluses and minuses of the final 2 or 3 companies they considered and their reasons for selecting the company they did to insure their pet. By the time you finish the 5 step research method that I recommend, you should have a good idea of how your policy works and exactly why it is the best one for you and your pet.
The good news is that I've already done most of the research for you and links are provided to allow you to navigate each step in the research process. What are the 5 steps you'll need to do?
- Get a quote specific to your pet and your location that fits your budget and enter it on a worksheet.
- Read reviews that people who have actually bought a policy posted (on what I consider the best review site) for each company not eliminated from consideration in Step 1. Enter the 1-year rating that policyholders gave each company on a worksheet.
- Read a sample policy of each company not eliminated from consideration in Step 2.
- Call and/or email the companies not yet eliminated (should be down to only 2 or 3) and ask questions about anything you don't understand about their policies after completing the first 3 steps. This also allows you to test each company's customer service.
- Choose a company to insure your pet.
What readers are saying about the Pet Insurance Toolkit:
I found the book’s references to sample policies and to customer reviews to be the most integral resource. The links were my primary resource in finding sample policies and customer reviews. It’s evident to me that I would have spent a significantly greater amount of time trying to find that information without the e-book, so I’m thankful for having found your book.
I think the worksheets helped to point out that I was purchasing insurance for an unexpected and sizeable invoice. The inclusion of the lifetime and/or yearly maximum was also very helpful in recognizing policies offering the best coverage for a single, costly incident yet placing limitations on coverage in more discrete ways.
Initially, the most important factor in deciding on insurance coverage was the cost of monthly premiums. After having read your e-book, however, I realized that a low monthly premium that results in little to no coverage in the unfortunate case of a significant medical incident does not make any sense economically.”
--Jeff
"Yes, I bought insurance from *******. I used the worksheets, links, reviews, comparisons. I liked being able to set my own deductible and limits. It was very helpful. Thank you.
--Becky
"Yes I did find your guide very helpful. I think it was very helpful to do a comparison of plans, what they cover, deductible etc. I think your kit was great, and I don't know how you could make it better. Keep up the great work!"
--Amy
I was not able to finish reading all the material, which I plan on doing soon. It was easy to read and understand - I was not aware of the different breakdowns each company had, I figured a plan was a plan was a plan... Your information will enable me to make an informed decision when I choose a policy and for that I thank you.
--Nichole
"Your Pet Insurance Toolkit was extremely helpful to me when I went to figure out insurance when I adopted my dog last February. You drastically reduced the amount of time I otherwise would have needed to spend coming up to speed and enabled me to make an informed decision I felt solid about."
--Brandee
Here's a look at the tools in the Toolkit:
Your Guide To Choosing A Pet Insurance Company And Policy To Insure Your Pet (Ebook)
Chapter 1: Choosing A Company To Insure Your Pet - essential coverages every policy should include
Chapter 2: Company Profiles - detailed profile of each company that sells policies in the United States. Includes an audio clip from a representative from most of the companies - oftentimes the CEO - talking about what they have to offer. At the end of each company's profile - a fillable form to record information you'll need to compare companies with each other.
Chapter 3: Choosing A Policy To Insure Your Pet - information to help you customize a policy that will enable you to get comprehensive coverage at a premium you can afford.
Watch this video on how to use the Company Profiles ebook:
Company Comparison Worksheet: Excel and Open Office Versions
Watch the video below as I demonstrate how to use the Company Comparison Worksheet:
Policy Selection Worksheet (Excel, but also works in Open Office)
Since most pet insurance companies allow you to customize your policy by selecting among several policy maximums, deductibles, copays and even some add-on riders, it's difficult to know which combination will give you the lowest out-of-pocket expense including the premium should you have to file a large claim. This worksheet allows you to choose potential combinations of maximums, copays, deductibles, etc. offered by each company that sells policies in the United States. It is probably best to use this worksheet after you've chosen a company to insure your pet.
Watch the following video as I demonstrate how to use the Policy Selection Worksheet:
Best Policy Company Comparison Worksheet (Excel or Open Office)
An extra Excel worksheet that is for viewing only (doesn't require you to do anything). This shows how much the best policy that each company has to offer would pay on 4 separate claims during a policy year (including a visit to the ER and Specialty Hospital). This will give you a more typical look at policy year in the life of a pet. You get to actually see how annual deductibles work vs. per-incident deductibles. It's really a look at how each company calculates reimbursements. For example, some companies don't cover exam fees - what does that look like? Some companies don't cover prescription diets - what does that look like?
Watch this video:
If you have any questions about the toolkit or specific companies, etc. feel free to contact me via email. I'm glad to help you any way I can.
Again, don't put it off. I've never had a pet owner tell me they should have waited to investigate and buy pet insurance. Just the opposite - many tell me they should have taken advantage of it much sooner!