Does Pet Insurance Cover Diabetes? Is it Standard? | Pet Keen

Pet insurance is dominating the pet industry, and for a good reason. One of the most complicated things about owning a pet is paying outright for vet care.

Sometimes emergencies happen, and funds are low, meaning potential life or death for your dog or cat. Thankfully, certain existing insurance companies, as well as new ones emerging, are offering policies these days—and some might cover preexisting conditions—but this varies greatly by company and policy.

Insurance Companies on Diabetes

If you’re shopping around for pet insurance, you’re probably curious if preexisting conditions like diabetes affect eligibility. The truth is, it absolutely can. However, if your pet suffers from diabetes after you get an insurance policy, most insurance companies will stand by your pet’s care.

If you want to know if it’s a standard practice for insurance companies to accept preexisting conditions in any case, that is a misconception.

While you might be able to find pet insurance companies that will cover diabetes, it likely involves a few more steps. You will have to tailor the policy to fit your particular pet’s needs, which could lead to an increase in monthly premiums.

So, while you shop around, keep in mind that rates might be competitive. But don’t let the price deter you. Sometimes certain benefits outweigh the cost.

Pet Insurance Companies

Here is a short list of pet insurance companies for your convenience—all of which do not cover diabetes as a preexisting condition—except one (upon approval.)

There are plenty of pet insurance companies rising to the surface. There are lots of comprehensive plans that cover a variety of illnesses, curable preexisting conditions, and accidental or emergency cases.

Some of these companies cover diabetes as a post-condition but not preexisting ones, meaning that companies will cover it if your pet develops diabetes while under their plan.

The AKC is the first pet insurance company to cover preexisting conditions. According to the AKC website, the only stipulation is that you have to have continual 365 day-coverage; your pet is thereby eligible.

Can You Obtain Coverage for Cats with Diabetes?

The good news is that you can absolutely obtain coverage for your pet who has diabetes. However, diabetes treatments won’t be covered. Other aspects of care, like emergencies, general checkups, and other visits, can still qualify.

What Is Diabetes In Pets?

Just like humans, pets can develop type one or type two diabetes. Scientifically, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. These conditions often have overlapping symptoms but different root causes.

How Type 1 Diabetes Works

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder causing the body to attack and destroy insulin. The exact cause is unknown, but it’s usually due to the immune system malfunctioning and attacking itself.

How Type 2 Diabetes Works

Type 2 diabetes is generally caused by lifestyle factors like lack of activity and obesity. It’s more often linked to genetic transmission.

Vet Care for Diabetes

After testing an observation, your vet can determine what your dog or cat needs and how they need it. If your dog or cat has diabetes, care will differ depending on the severity and type. Some care might happen at the vet’s office, but most of it is manageable at home.

Care can get pretty expensive depending on how much insulin your pet requires if they require any at all. Sometimes dietary changes are sufficient in dealing with symptom management. Regardless, it is definitely something that involves vet attention so they can receive the appropriate care.

Diabetes can be a very time-consuming issue to care for. You might have to take your dog or cat in for testing or administer insulin shots at home. But with the help of pet insurance, it might curb some of the anxieties that come along with it.

Statistics About Diabetes in Pets

So just how likely is your dog or cat to get diabetes? That depends on several factors, including genetics and lifestyle. Overweight animals are far more likely to develop diabetes than those with healthy exercise habits and body weight.

According to Vet Source, one out of every 300 dogs and one out of every 230 cats will have diabetes. Scary enough, those statistics keep rising.

Insurance Alternatives

Insurance isn’t the only option when trying to find affordable vet care. Diabetes is also something that can be covered with other pain management. Having a little honey fund or credit option for these treatments might be a terrific idea for your pet.

Wells Fargo Health Advantage

Wells Fargo Health Advantage is a credit card that covers many aspects of health, including that of your pets. You can apply, qualify, and use the perks toward your pet’s vet bills.

Pet Assure

Pet Assure is an example of discounted perks. You get a certain percentage off of vet care if you select certain in-house procedures, including diabetes care.

Conclusion

Diabetes is a common ailment, treatment can be expensive, and coverage is essential. You will have much more luck if your pet develops diabetes while already on an insurance plan than finding one that covers preexisting conditions.

But as pet insurance grows in popularity, more options will be available to policyholders. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet for further options or professional recommendations.

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