Common exclusions to pet insurance policies

Posted on January 15, 2012 by admin

Millions of pet owners have bought pet insurance to help offset some of the costs involved with modern veterniary care. Pet insurance doesn’t cover everything, however. Like all insurance policies, pet insurance carries with it certain exclusions that deny coverage for some events. Pet insurance policy owners should be aware of these exclusions to avoid unpleasant surprises when receiving a vet bill.

Modern technology has made veterinary care more sophistiacted and effective. Illnesses and injuries that were once fatal to pets can now be treated. Modern veterinary care allows for cancer treatments, hip replacement surgeries and a host of treatments for ailments that were once automatic death sentences for pets.

American Pet Products Manufacturers Association stats show that Americans spend more than $10 billion each year on health care for their dogs, cats and other pets. Pet insurance can help pet owners mitigate some of the costs of taking care of their pets when they become ill or injured. Last year, Americans spent about $250 million on pet insurance.

Pet insurance will pay all or some of the cost of a pet’s veterinary care if that pet becomes ill or is injured under circumstances covered by the policy. Insurers find some circumstances or factors too risky, and absolves themselves of responsibilitiy for covering them by writing excusions into a policy.

An exclusion is a provision written into an insurance policy that excludes the insurer from covering certain property, events, types of damage etc. With regard to pet insurance polices, exclusions may bar certain types of treatment from coverage, deny coverage under certain circumstances, or deny coverage for certain illnesses or injuries.

Common pet insurance exclusions

Here are some of the most common exclusions found in pet insurance policies:

1. Pre-existing conditions — Pre-existing conditions are health problems that are present prior to the start date of the policy. For example, if you pet already has cancer, treatment for this illness will be denied by a policy with a pre-existing conditions excusion (these exclusions are standard to virtually all pet insurance policies.) Because of the pre-existing condition exclusion, it’s wise to purchase pet insurance while your pet is young, before he or she can develop any health problems.

2. Hereditary health issues — These are health issues that may be specific to a certain breed of dog. For example, a pet insurance policy for a German Shepherd may bar coverage for hip ailments because of that breed’s tendency to develop these issues.

3. Congenital conditions — These are health conditions that your pet is born with, such as, entropion, patellar luxation, liver shunt, etc. Because these conditions are pre-existing, they’re usually barred by the pre-existing conditions exclusion if a specific congenital conditions exclusion is not written into the policy.

4. Fleas, ticks and parasites — While many pet insurance policies provide coverage for preventative care to ward off fleas, ticks and parasites, most exclude coverage for treatment to get rid of them once your pet has them.

5. Preventable illnesses and elective or cosmetic procedures — Illnesses that could be prevented by vaccination are generally excluded from treatment. Also cosmetic procedures such as tail docking, ear cropping or skin folds are routinely excluded from coverage in insurance policies.

6. Teeth cleaning — While dental coverage for damage to the teeth caused by illness or injury is routinely covered in pet insurance policies, most pet policies deny coverage for teeth cleaning.

Other exclusions and provisions

Other exclusions may bar coverage for special dietary supplements, travel to a vet or animal hospital, removal or expression of anal glands, behavioral training, etc.

In addition to exclusions, other provisions written into an insurance policy may put an expenditure cap on how much care the policy will cover or limit how many times per year the insurer will pay for a treatment or procedure.

When purchasing pet insurance, the pet owner should carefully review the policy to see what illnesses, injuries or circumstances are denied coverage. Often, riders can be purchased that will provide coverage not extended by the standard pet insurance policy.

Understanding all the ins and outs of your pet insurance policy is key to getting the most out of your coverage, and preventing you from paying for an ineffective or inappropriate policy.

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Mobile Home Insurance Tips

Posted on December 18, 2011 by admin

Written by Mary Long

For those who own a mobile home, mobile home insurance is necessary to have. This type of insurance provides you with protection in a number of ways, including protecting your home from theft, fire and other types of loss. Many car insurance and home insurance providers will provide individuals with mobile home insurance, too. For this reason, it is always in your best interest to compare companies, policies, coverage amounts and pricing. It is likely you will be able to find affordable home insurance for your mobile home.

What Does Mobile Home Insurance Provide?

Having the right type of coverage is always important. When it comes to mobile home insurance protection, there is a wide range of different protections offered. Each policy is different, but most will provide some similar benefits. In particular, it should cover the following items:

  • It should provide you with damage that coves the mobile home. Usually this is termed a manufactured home. This includes damages caused by wind, fire, falling objects, explosions, lightening and other incidents. Be careful to read this section thoroughly since it is actually common for differences to be included here. Some policies may cover flooding and hurricanes, for example.
  • In some situations, there is coverage available for the personal property that you have within the home. Just like in a traditional home insurance policy, the items listed on your policy and those that you have a record of will be covered by the mobile home insurance policy. You should keep a thorough list, often with a photo or video recording of anything in the home. If you have any electronics, jewelry or other valuable items, list these on the policy separately.
  • Notice of the policy offers adjacent structure coverage. This particular type of coverage will provide you with protection from damage or destruction that occurs on the adjacent structures to your mobile home, such as a shed, garage or porch area.
  • Liability protection is often found in this form of coverage, too. Liability insurance protects an individual from claims filed against them in the mobile home. For example, if your friend comes to your home, trips on a loose floorboard and sues you for it, the liability coverage will kick in to cover the damaged they are suing you for, or fight the case on your behalf.

While these are the most common items covered on most mobile home insurance policies, it is important to read your policy carefully and be sure that everything is covered in it that you need.

There are additional types of insurance you may wish to purchase as well. These are often add-ons, not offered with the traditional policy but offered as a secondary or back up. One option to consider is additional coverage for personal property. As mentioned earlier, if you have expensive equipment or collections in your home, it is best to list them separately on your insurance policy. This floater, as it is termed, is the best resource for doing this. It is generally used for high value items in particular.

Your insurance company may offer you identity theft coverage as well. This is an insurance policy that simply provides you with protection should someone try to steal your identity through financial means. It does not matter much to your mobile home insurance in particular, so may not be beneficial for those who have a need for the least expensive type of insurance.

Driving your mobile home is another story. Perhaps you have an RV or a motor home that you sometimes drive, sometimes leave parked. Any time you do plan to take it out onto the road, you absolutely must have coverage to do so. It is against the law to operate a motor vehicle on the street without proper insurance coverage. But, when do you actually need this coverage?

The only time you need to have motor vehicle coverage on your mobile home is if it is being use on the street. If your mobile home remains parked, you do not have to have the insurance. If you need to have a licensed plate on it, you need to have coverage. Other times, especially for motor homes that are designed to stay in one place, this is not necessary. If you have any question about this, talk to your insurance provider about your options. Keep in mind that every state has different laws on the amount of insurance you need to have to operate the vehicle on the road.

When selecting mobile home insurance, it is best to obtain several quotes and to compare them. Talk to an insurance provider and ask them what types of insurance you need. Find out what they suggest in terms of coverage amounts. Then, do the same thing with another provider. This is the best way to compare policies. Some features will change from policy to policy including:

  • The amount of coverage they give you
  • The amount of the premium you will pay quarterly or monthly for the insurance
  • The amount of the deductible you will pay out of pocket when and if you need to make a claim on your mobile home insurance policy.
  • The amount of discounts available for the policy

Compare your options carefully. Take notice of your options and talk to each company about the other’s quote. For example, if you notice that one company offers a high amount of coverage than another, question them on why you need the higher amount. Ask them for a new quote at the lower amount.

Mobile home insurance is available through most of the insurance providers offering home owner insurance and vehicle insurance. In fact, if you have another home, other vehicles or even other types of insurance (such as life insurance) you could benefit by putting all of these packages together as one. This may offer you a discount on the entire total cost of the package. Ask your insurance provider if this is available to you.

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Medical Alert Bracelets

Posted on April 27, 2010 by admin

Written by Samuel Red

A medical alert bracelet, also known as a Medical ID, can save a life. People, who suffer a range of health conditions, allergies and illnesses, or those who use chronic medications, are advised to wear a medical alert bracelet. The patient’s emergency contact information is engraved on the Medical ID. Other information such as blood type, health insurance company, doctor’s name, and family contacts, can also be accessed via the Medical ID.

Take this hypothetical scene. A paramedic arrives at the scene of an accident, and one of the victims is wearing a medical alert bracelet, while the other is not. The paramedic has to work fast, he has to quickly assess the victim’s condition and start treatment using defibrillators, traction splints and IV drips, administer drugs and oxygen. He looks at the medical alert bracelet on the wrist of the first victim and instantly sees that this person uses blood-thinning medication. He will need to make some adjustments to the dosage of one of the drugs he plans to administer to this patient. There is also a contact number engraved on the back of the medical alert bracelets . He gets his assistant to call the number, and within 15 minutes, members of the victim’s family have arrived on the scene and all is under control.

The other victim is lying in a pool of blood. They stabilize his condition, but cannot find any form of identification on him. They have absolutely no information about this person. For all the paramedic knows, this person could have a rare blood disease or blood disorder. They will have to wait until he regains consciousness to find out more information. In the case of the first victim, the medical alert bracelet probably saved his life as he was transported to a hospital for treatment within the ‘golden hour’. The medical profession refers to ‘the golden hour’ as the time in which the life of a critically injured patient can be saved if the patient receives surgical attention. Paramedics know only too well about the ‘golden hour’ and that a medical alert bracelet can save a life.

Who should wear a medical alert bracelet? Anyone suffering with any of the following conditions, or using some of the following medications, are strongly advised to wear a medical alert bracelet: Allergies to food, drugs or insects, allergies to medical items such as latex and X-ray dye, alcoholism, cataracts, heart problems, respiratory problems (e.g. asthma, emphysema), diabetes, implants, glaucoma, kidney failure, blood disorders, Alzheimer’s Disease, Tourette’s Syndrome, laryngectomy, leukemia, situs inversus, malignant hyperthermia, lupus, anemia, hypertension, cancer, mental disorder, deaf, dumb, blind, epilepsy or other seizures, morphine, codeine, antihistamines, decongestants, chemotherapy drugs, steroids, blood thinners or anticoagulants.

Details of medications being taken by a patient can be easily obtained in an emergency by dialling the telephone number on the back of the medical alert bracelet. The bracelet will have been engraved with the patient’s code number. When you receive your medical alert bracelet, put it on and do not ever take it off. The bracelets are made of durable materials. Do not even take it off to shower, bath or swim.

Other personal information can also be linked to your medical alert’s data base, e.g. if you are an organ donor , what your faith is, if you have a living will, if you wear contact lenses, as well as names and contact details of your next of kin. It’s a good idea to have your first name engraved on the bracelet. This is very important in the event of a paramedic attending to you, as he will call your name repeatedly to get your attention if you are dazed or disorientated.

Bracelets are not the only type of medical alert jewelry. These days medical alert wearers can choose from hundreds of fashionable and attractive medical alert items. These include bracelets, necklaces, watches, dog tags, stretch bands and sports bands. A watch is not only attractive, but also serves as a functional medical alert item. All watches for this purpose are fueled by light so they never stop. And don’t worry, the watch-faces carry appropriate logos that make them easily recognisable as medical alert items. Medic alert items also come in designer gold and silver bracelets and necklaces.

You can make your purchase online. Just ask your search engine to find ‘medic alert jewelry’. The choice is amazing, and the prices for basic products, such as the typical silver bracelet, are very reasonable. When you purchase online you will be required to provide certain medical information and make your engraving selection. You can pay for your online purchase with the usual major credit or debit cards. There can be no doubt that medical alert bracelets have played a big role in saving many lives by facilitating the easy access to information about a patient in an emergency.

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