Almost everyone has health insurance these days — but what about insurance for your pets?
Washwick Agency in Riverhead recently became the first local insurance agency to offer pet insurance, which covers a variety of veterinary care expenses, including illness, injuries, examinations, prescription medications, cancer treatments and more.
“You don’t want to let a paycheck come between you and your pets’ health,” agency owner Karl Washwick said.
Washwick decided to start offering pet insurance after he was saddled with some large veterinary bills for his own dogs, a golden retriever and a chocolate lab.
“I wasn’t even aware that it was available,” he said. “It just made sense.”
The insurance is offered through Petplan, one of the top pet health insurance companies in the country. It can be used with any licensed veterinarian nationwide.
“You can use it with any vet,” said Washwick. “That’s what I really like about it. We sell a lot of health insurance, and the problem is always if that patient’s current doctor takes the new plan. This pet insurance works the way it used to in the good old days – any veterinarian is allowed.”
Three tiers of plans are available: bronze, silver and gold, which cover $10,000, $14,000 and $22,000 worth of annual veterinary expenses respectively. All three tiers offer the same types of veterinary coverage, but the silver and gold tiers offer some extras, such as coverage for boarding kennel fees if you are ever in the hospital yourself, or reimbursement for the price of your pet if it is ever lost or stolen.
The monthly rates depend on the pet’s breed and age, as well as your selected deductible and reimbursement. They start as low as around $20 per month, though Washwick was able to arrange a discount so that any pet insurance purchased through his agency is cheaper than purchasing it directly through Petplan’s website.
Basic bronze plan coverage includes:
- Veterinary exam fees
- Diagnostic treatments
- Surgery
- Prescription medications
- Imaging (MRI, CAT scan, ultrasound)
- Cancer treatments
- Dental treatments (non-routine)
- Rehabilitation
- Alternative therapies
- Referral and specialist treatment
- Behavioral therapies
“If your pet needs something, you want to get it for them,” Washwick said. “You want them to be healthy. You don’t want to have to worry about the money in your pocket for that.”
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