Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance
General Questions About Pet Insurance
What Exactly Is Pet Insurance and How Does It Work?
Pet insurance helps you pay the veterinary costs when your cat or dog becomes ill or has an emergency. Numerous plans, including Odie Pet Insurance, offer comprehensive coverage to ensure your pet has the best possible care. Pet insurance can be a valuable tool that offers peace of mind and helps relieve the financial strain caused by unexpected veterinary expenses. When an unexpected illness or emergency strikes your beloved cat or dog, having the appropriate plan in place could make all the difference in their care.
How Does Pet Insurance Differ From Human Health Insurance?
Just like human health insurance plans, pet insurance provides vital coverage of costs related to medical care for your pet. Pet insurance works on a reimbursement model. You can visit any veterinarian of your choice within the coverage area (for Odie, this is the US, Canada, US territories, and military bases). Typically, the pet parent pays for treatment upfront and then submits the invoice for reimbursement. Unlike human insurance, no pet insurance cards are issued or needed.
What Are the Basic Types of Pet Insurance Available?
Illness and Injury Plan: An Illness and Injury plan provides comprehensive coverage for cats and dogs and helps pet parents receive reimbursement for illnesses and injuries.
Accident-Only Plan: This plan is meant to be put in place against accidental mishaps only.
Why Is Pet Insurance Important for Pet Owners?
Pet insurance provides pet owners with an invaluable safety net, enabling them to prioritize the health and well-being of their companions without worrying about financial implications. By covering an array of medical services, pet insurance helps ensure that your pet receives care when needed most and, most importantly, that they receive the recommended treatment suggested by their veterinarian.
Can Pet Insurance Be Customized for Different Pets?
Pet insurance quotes are based on breed, age, and zip code. Odie Pet Insurance allows you to customize your policy and select your terms, including the annual limit and deductible. In addition, Odie provides the opportunity for pet parents to choose from supplementary benefits, including coverage for exam fees, prescription medicine, rehabilitation, and chiropractic care, in addition to adding a wellness plan for routine care coverage. Injury and Illness plans can be personalized to meet the individual needs of the pet and their parents.
Is Pet Insurance Available for All Types of Pets?
Odie Pet Insurance covers all domestic cat and dog breeds, beginning at seven weeks old, with no upper age restrictions.
Can Pet Insurance Be Transferred if Ownership Changes?
Yes, pet insurance can be transferred if ownership changes. Odie will arrange for continued coverage as long as they are contacted within 30 days from the date of ownership transfer. Pet parents should send an email or call customer support to confirm changes.
What Are the Limitations of Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is an amazing safety net for pet owners. However, pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, which are illnesses that were present before the policy’s effective date or waiting periods.
How Popular Is Pet Insurance Among Pet Owners?
According to a recent Forbes article, 66% of US households own a pet (over 86 million pets). However, only 2-3% currently have insurance to cover their pet’s illnesses and injuries. Odie is providing new options in the space that make pet insurance more affordable and customizable for pet parents and their pets.
Coverage Details and Exclusions
What Does Pet Insurance Typically Cover?
A comprehensive Illness and Injury plan covers the cost of veterinary treatment for any eligible disease, disorder, sickness, illness, injury, abnormality, and/or syndrome displayed by your pet unless excluded by your tailored policy. This includes accidents & injuries, hereditary & congenital conditions, emergency care, surgery, cancer treatment, outpatient care, dental disease and fractures, illnesses, diagnostic & testing, hospitalization, specialist care, MRI, CT scan & X-ray, and ongoing & chronic conditions.
Does Pet Insurance cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
If the pet is injured or ill before a policy is purchased or during the policy’s waiting periods, that condition will not qualify for coverage by any pet insurance provider. The good news is that the pet will be covered for any future non-related injuries or illnesses under the pet’s policy.
How Do Wellness and Preventive Care Options Work in Pet Insurance?
Dogs and cats benefit from regular wellness checks, annual vaccinations, and health exams to help catch early signs of illness, disease, or injuries. Odie offers a Wellness plan to reimburse for routine care. These plans are a great option for pets of all ages and encourage owners to stay updated on vaccines, flea/tick medication, heartworm preventatives, and microchipping. No waiting periods apply for the Wellness plans, and coverage starts on the policy’s effective date. However, it is important to note that a Wellness Plan is not an insurance plan. It’s an optional non-insurance offering that may be added to any insurance plan for preventative/wellness care and cannot be purchased alone.
What Are Common Age-Related Coverage Limitations in Pet Insurance?
With Odie, there are no age-related limitations. We provide coverage for all cats and dogs as young as seven weeks.
Do Pet Insurance Policies Vary for Different Breeds?
Pet insurance plans are rated based on the species, age, breed, and the average cost of veterinary care per zip code. Some breeds are more prone to hereditary and chronic conditions and have differing life expectancies, which may affect the overall cost of the pet insurance premium.
Is Dental Care Included in Pet Insurance Policies?
Odie covers unexpected illnesses and injuries related to dental treatments as long as the pet does not have any pre-existing dental conditions and the pet parents routinely care for their pets’ dental hygiene. Many regulations are involved here, and the policy owner should refer to their policy documents for specifics.
How does Pet Insurance cover Chronic Diseases?
Chronic diseases are fully covered if the pet has not been diagnosed with or displayed signs or symptoms of the condition before the policy effective date or during the waiting periods.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Genetic or Hereditary Conditions?
Genetic and hereditary conditions are fully covered as long as the pet has not been diagnosed with or displayed signs or symptoms of the condition prior to the policy effective date or during the waiting periods.
Does Pet Insurance cover Alternative Treatments?
In addition to its standard coverage, Odie provides the opportunity for pet parents to choose supplementary benefits, including rehabilitation, acupuncture, and chiropractic care. The options must be selected at the time of policy purchase to be eligible for reimbursement.
Can I Get Coverage for a Pet with a Known Health Issue?
Odie does not cover conditions that were diagnosed or displayed symptoms of the condition before the policy effective date or during the waiting periods, as these are considered to be pre-existing. However, Odie offers an Illness and Injury plan as well as an Accident-Only plan to provide coverage for other unexpected events.
Policy and Pricing
How Are Pet Insurance Premiums Calculated?
Pet insurance premiums are calculated based on many factors, including the breed, age, and cost of veterinary care where you reside. Odie Pet Insurance allows you to customize your policy and select your terms, including the reimbursement amount and deductible. In addition, Odie provides the opportunity for pet parents to choose from supplementary benefits, including coverage for exam fees, prescription medicine, rehabilitation, acupuncture, and chiropractic care, in addition to adding a wellness plan for routine care coverage. All terms and customizations will factor into the monthly premiums.
What Impact Do Deductibles and Co-Pays Have on My Policy?
A deductible is the upfront payment you must make out of pocket before your coverage kicks in. It acts like an initial threshold that must be crossed before your provider reimburses veterinary costs. Let’s say you have a policy with a $250 deductible, and your plan reimburses you 90% of eligible expenses. You will cover your pet’s veterinary visits and other medical costs until you’ve paid $250. Once this deductible is met, your insurance plan will start paying 90% of the included services, and you will only be responsible for the remaining 10% until your plan renews.
How Do Reimbursement Levels Work in Pet Insurance?
Reimbursement rates, sometimes called “coinsurance” rates, refer to the percentage of eligible expenses covered by pet insurance providers. When filing claims for covered veterinary expenses, this percentage determines what portion of the total bill will be reimbursed by insurance. Assuming your pet insurance plan offers a 90% reimbursement rate, and your pet needs treatment costing $1,000, the insurer would reimburse 90% of eligible expenses, covering $900 of the final bill. This could leave you with a total cost as low as $100.
What Tips Can Help Me Choose an Affordable Pet Insurance Plan?
Odie offers a fully comprehensive Illness and Injury plan and an Accident-only Plan. The Illness and Injury plan provides customizable options that allow pet parents to evaluate their budget, specific needs, and comfort when paying for unexpected illnesses and injuries. This includes being able to choose terms such as the deductible and annual limit. Higher deductible plans will provide more affordable monthly payments. An Accident-Only plan offers coverage for unexpected injuries only and begins at only $6/month for cats and $9/month for dogs.
Are There Discounts Available for Multiple Pets?
Odie offers a 5% multi-pet discount on all Illness and injury policies, which is automatically applied at checkout.
How Do Insurance Companies Determine Coverage Limits?
When it comes to pet insurance policies, coverage limits are essential in establishing how much money the policy can pay out each year in medical costs for your pet. This knowledge is key to effectively managing expectations and making informed decisions regarding your pet’s health care expenses. Let’s use an example to demonstrate how annual limits work. Imagine that you have a pet insurance plan with an annual limit of $10,000. This means the insurer will cover eligible claims up to a maximum of $10,000 during each policy year, such as expenses related to vet treatments, surgeries, medication, or any other covered services. Note that an annual limit does not refer to individual incidents or conditions but represents an overall cap on reimbursements within a policy year. As claims are submitted throughout the policy year, reimbursement will continue until it reaches this maximum amount – in this case, $10,000. Notably, your policy’s annual limit resets yearly on its anniversary date. At this point, your coverage will continue uninterrupted for another year.
Claims and Reimbursement Process
What Is The Best Way To File a Pet Insurance Claim?
It’s easy! All claims can be submitted through your online account.
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
To help us process your claim quickly, you will need to provide copies of the itemized veterinary invoice(s), proof of payment/receipt, and detailed medical records (visit history, vet notes, lab results, etc.). We can only process a claim with your pet’s medical records.
Step 2: Fill Out a Claim Form and Upload Copies of Your Documents
Complete the claims questionnaire in your online account and submit. You may also email or fax your claim to the contact information listed on the first page of your policy.
Step 3: A Claim Adjuster Will Process Your Claim
Odie’s goal is to process claims as quickly as possible. We typically process claims within five business days. First-time claims may take longer, depending on when we receive your pet’s medical records.
What Is the Typical Timeframe for Pet Insurance Claim Processing?
Claims are typically processed within five business days. Time may vary depending on the type of loss and how long it takes to investigate the claim. To speed up claim processing time, a member should:
- Upload the last 18 months of their pet’s medical history, including vet notes, into the Member Portal.
- Submit an itemized invoice including veterinary description and notes. The member may need to request the medical notes from their pet’s vet.
- Submit the receipt showing payment.
How Are Reimbursements Calculated in Pet Insurance?
Odie Pet Insurance uses a direct reimbursement method to process claims. We first examine all line items from the invoice and determine what is eligible for coverage under your chosen policy plan. Then, the coinsurance is applied to the entire covered charges. Next, any reimbursement is applied to the annual deductible before finally issuing reimbursement.
What Documentation Is Needed for Filing a Pet Insurance Claim?
To file a claim, the pet parent will need to submit the following documents:
- Itemized, legible veterinary invoice(s)
- Proof of payment
- Detailed medical notes, diagnosis, lab results, etc.
Are There Any Restrictions on Filing Claims for Specific Treatments?
Invoices need to be paid in full before a claim can be processed and, therefore, reimbursed. There are no restrictions on specific treatments as long as the condition is not pre-existing and is eligible for coverage.
Are There Limits to the Number of Claims I Can Make?
There are no limits to the number of claims that can be made throughout the policy term, but there can only be one claim per invoice.
How Do Insurance Companies Verify Claims?
Odie reviews the following items to ensure compliance:
- The veterinary practice listed on the invoice
- Pet’s medical records and history
- Claim history
- Pet name, age, breed, and gender
- Member address
Insurance companies reserve the right to ask further questions directly from the treating vet practice or any veterinarian listed on the medical records.
Can Claims Be Made for Both Emergency and Routine Care?
Claims can be made for both emergency and routine care as long as a Wellness Plan has been purchased in addition to an insurance plan.
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Claim Denials?
The most common reason for a claim denial is pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions are any conditions for which a vet provides medical advice, your pet received treatment, or displayed signs or symptoms before the policy effective date or during any waiting period.
How Can I Expedite the Claim and Reimbursement Process?
To ensure claims are processed and reimbursed as quickly as possible, it is imperative that:
- All medical records have been submitted and are up to date
- The claim invoice shows that it has been paid in full
- Notes from the vet visit are included in the submission
Choosing the Right Pet Insurance Plan
What Should I Consider When Choosing a Pet Insurance Plan?
Pet insurance allows pet parents to provide the recommended course of treatment without making decisions based on finances. There are many factors to consider when purchasing pet insurance, including:
- Budget level
- The health of the pet
- Additional supplementary benefits that may be important
- Perks that may be included, such as televet access
- Access to customer support
- Wellness plan add-on
How Can I Compare Different Pet Insurance Plans Effectively?
Make sure you understand how deductibles, coinsurance, annual limits work, reimbursements, and waiting periods when comparing. We’ve done the hard work for you. Visit the compare section on getodie.com.
Can I Change My Pet Insurance Plan If My Circumstances Change?
Yes, you can make changes to your pet insurance plan at renewal, including your deductible, coinsurance, and wellness plans. You can also downgrade coverage anytime by decreasing the reimbursement amount, increasing the deductible, removing supplemental benefits, decreasing the annual limit, or switching to an Accident-Only plan. To make these changes, you must contact member support, who will provide details and further help to facilitate those changes.
What Should I Do If My Pet Has a Pre-Existing Condition?
If your pet has a pre-existing condition, we still recommend purchasing a pet insurance policy, as the plan will provide coverage for all other illnesses or injuries unrelated to the known pre-existing condition.
How Do I Know if a Policy Covers Everything My Pet Needs?
Odie Pet Insurance policies are designed to cover unexpected illnesses and injuries, while wellness plans cover routine care items. Prior to signing up for a policy, it’s important to consider your pet’s current state of health and potential supplementary benefits so that your pet is covered for all potential scenarios.
Pet Insurance and Veterinary Care
How Does Pet Insurance Influence Veterinary Care Decisions?
Pet insurance provides peace of mind and a safety net for pet parents who need veterinary care for their cats or dogs in the event of an accident or illness. By having insurance in place, pet parents can be more comfortable making decisions about the recommended course of treatment rather than based on the expenses involved.
Can Pet Insurance Cover All Types of Veterinary Procedures?
Generally, procedures performed and recommended by the vet are covered as long as the supplementary benefits needed were selected at the time of coverage. Please note, however, that holistic and experimental treatments are not covered.
What Happens If My Pet’s Treatment Exceeds My Insurance Limit?
Once the annual limit for the current policy term has been met, no further reimbursement can be provided. However, the annual limit resets every year. Odie provides reimbursement amounts up to $40,000 annually, which we have found to be sufficient in most circumstances.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Emergency Veterinary Visits?
Yes, pet insurance covers emergency veterinary visits. Having an Odie policy for your pet means you can visit any vet of your choice, including emergency clinics and hospitals.
Are There Any Restrictions on Which Veterinarians I Can Use?
Like other pet insurance companies, Odie does not operate within a network of any kind. Therefore, pet parents can see any licensed veterinarian of their choice if they are within the coverage area (United States of America, Canada, or any region under US government control, including territories or military installations/bases in foreign countries). Additionally, treatment must be performed by or under the care of a licensed vet to be eligible for reimbursement.
Will Pet Insurance Cover Long-Term Medications?
Odie will cover long-term medications if the optional benefit was selected as part of the coverage terms at the time of purchase.
How Does Pet Insurance Handle Experimental Treatments?
Like other pet insurance companies, experimental treatments are considered elective and not covered under Odie’s policies.
Does Pet Insurance Provide Any Benefits for Routine Wellness Visits?
Odie will cover exam fees for wellness visits if a Wellness Plan was selected at the time of purchase.
Can I Use Pet Insurance at Any Veterinary Clinic?
Pet parents can see any licensed veterinarian of their choice as long as they are within the coverage area (United States of America, Canada, or any region under US government control, including territories or military installations/bases in foreign countries). Additionally, treatment must be performed by or under the care of a licensed vet to be eligible for reimbursement.
What Happens If My Vet Recommends a Treatment That’s Not Covered?
Most often, treatments recommended by the veterinarian will be covered under the insurance policy as long as they are not related to a pre-existing condition. If a pet parent is unsure if a treatment will be covered, they can contact Odie’s Member Support team, who can provide an estimate to the claims team for pre-approval.
Special Circumstances and Considerations
How Does Pet Insurance Apply in Different States or Countries?
Odie’s insurance policy covers treatments while the pet is in the United States of America, Canada, or any region under US government control, including territories or military installations/bases in foreign countries. Should a pet require medical treatment or veterinary services while in these specified locations, the policy will cover the associated costs per the terms and conditions of the insurance contract. Any medical treatments or veterinary services received outside of the specified coverage area would likely not be covered under this policy. If the pet requires medical attention in a different country or region, additional travel insurance may need to be purchased, or veterinary care may need to be sought locally.
What Coverage Options Are There for Inherited or Adopted Pets?
Odie provides coverage for all cat and dog breeds of all ages. When a pet is adopted or inherited, and the pet parent does not have prior medical records, Odie Pet Insurance will provide a health report to be completed by a licensed veterinarian. The vet will conduct a nose-to-tail exam that will be used to complete the report card and provide a baseline of health for future vet visits.
How Does Pet Insurance Work When Traveling with Pets?
Odie’s insurance policy covers treatments while the pet is in the United States of America, Canada, or any region under US government control, including territories or military installations/bases in foreign countries. Should a pet require medical treatment or veterinary services while in these specified locations, the policy will cover the associated costs as per the terms and conditions of the insurance contract. Any medical treatments or veterinary services received outside of the specified coverage area would likely not be covered under this policy. If the pet requires medical attention in a different country or region, additional travel insurance may need to be purchased, or veterinary care may need to be sought locally.
Can Pet Insurance Be Paused or Adjusted for Temporary Situations?
Unfortunately, pet insurance policies can not be adjusted for temporary situations. However, changes can be made at the renewal time, or other adjustments can be made to downgrade a plan at any time.
Are There Special Policies for Multi-Pet Households?
Because all pets are different and their health needs and concerns will vary, each policy is specific to the pet. However, Odie does offer a multi-pet discount that is applied to all Illness & Injury policies when enrolling more than one pet.
How Does Pet Insurance Work for Exotic Pets?
Odie provides coverage for all domestic cat and dog breeds but does not cover exotic pets.
Are There Any Special Policies for Service or Therapy Animals?
Odie’s policies and coverage term options apply to all cats and dogs, including service and therapy animals. We offer a military discount where applicable. To be eligible for this discount, pet parents must contact the Customer Support team and provide their military ID.
What Happens to My Pet Insurance if I Move to a Different Country?
Odie’s insurance policies can be issued in the 50 United States, including Alaska. Unfortunately, if the pet and its parents move to a different country, Odie’s policy will no longer be effective, and we suggest the pet parents find other coverage within their new region.
How Does Pet Insurance Handle Genetic Testing and Preventive Measures?
Pet Insurance does not cover genetic testing. However, our Odie’s Wellness Plan add-ons allow reimbursement for preventative measures such as flea and tick treatments, vaccinations, and spaying/neutering.
Can Pet Insurance Be Paired with Other Types of Animal Welfare Assistance?
Yes, a pet parent can hold a pet insurance policy and other types of animal welfare assistance. However, a claim can only be reimbursed once and through one company.
Policy Management and Adjustments
How Can I Update or Adjust My Pet Insurance Policy?
Making changes to your pet insurance policy is simple. Odie members can update their email, payment details, and phone numbers directly within their member portal. Additionally, name or address change requests can be made within the same portal. We recommend contacting the Member Support team for changes beyond email, mailing address, payment details, phone number, and name.
What Is the Process for Renewing a Pet Insurance Policy?
Odie Pet insurance policies are automatically renewed each year. The pet parent will be notified by email at least 30 days in advance of the renewal date with their updated premium amount.
Can I Add or Remove Coverage Options Mid-Policy?
Changes to deductible, coinsurance, and wellness plans can be made at renewal. You can also downgrade coverage anytime by decreasing the reimbursement amount, increasing the deductible, removing supplemental benefits, decreasing the annual limit, or moving to an Accident-Only plan. To make these changes, you must contact member support, who provides details on the next steps and can help facilitate the changes.
How Do I Cancel My Pet Insurance If Needed?
All requests must be made in writing to cancel your Odie pet insurance plan. Please email Member Support at support@odiepetinsurance.com.
Are There Fees for Adding Additional Pets to My Policy?
Since all pets are different and have different health needs and concerns, each policy is specific to the pet. Additional pets can be added at any time, and Odie offers a multi-pet discount that is applied to all Illness and injury policies when enrolling more than one pet. No additional fees apply.
What Should I Do if My Pet’s Health Needs Change Significantly?
Once waiting periods have been met, your policy is in place, and you will receive coverage and reimbursement for all eligible expenses, regardless of your pet’s health.
How Often Should I Review and Potentially Update My Policy?
Odie emails members at least 30 days before their policy renewal dates. This would be an ideal time to review the policy details and ensure they align with your pet’s current needs and budget. Remember, you can make changes throughout the year if you would like to downgrade coverage.
Can I Upgrade My Policy for Better Coverage After Enrollment?
Changes can be made at renewal to deductible, coinsurance, and wellness plans. You can downgrade coverage anytime by decreasing the reimbursement amount, increasing the deductible, removing supplemental benefits, decreasing the annual limit, or moving to an Accident-Only plan. To make these changes, you must contact member support, who provides details on next steps and can help facilitate the changes. Should you wish to increase your annual limit, this would restart the effective date of your policy, and therefore, waiting periods would start over. Additionally, based on your pet’s health history, there may be conditions that are considered pre-existing that weren’t previously.
How Are Policy Adjustments Handled If My Pet Becomes a Senior?
Odie’s pet insurance premiums will increase slightly each year as your pet ages and becomes more prone to illnesses. Increases are capped, however, at 19 years old. As long as the policy has been put in place before a condition is diagnosed, they will continue to receive coverage regardless of age. Claim history will also not affect coverage as your pet moves into their senior years.
