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Alison Bour

Expert Guru
Many people are surprised to find that I started my career in Social Work, not writing. However, I am reminded almost daily that it was a wonderful foundation. A writer is only as good as her research and ability to sift through lots of information to get to the essence of the topic. Those things were stressed in my first career as well.

I can trace my love of writing to grade school. It was just something I always did well. I feel fortunate that I have a gift for something that many people find scary: the written word.

For me, there is no boring assignment; if I'm writing, I'm happy!




10 Tips from Alison Bour

Ask Your Veterinarian About Pet Insurance

Your trusted veterinarian may be one of the best sources about which pet insurance to choose. Veterinarians deal with clients every day who have pet insurance so they are usually the first to hear about the ups and downs of any particular plan.
Ask your vet if he or she has heard of the plan you are considering. Has it paid claims according to the policy? Has your vet heard any bad comments about the plan?
Since pet insurance is a relatively new product, it's likely that some companies on the market are less than reputable. Talking to your vet may help you avoid choosing the wrong insurance company.

Don't divulge personal information online

With the advent of the internet, it's now easy to find potential pet insurers online. Many companies also offer the chance to price insurance online based on a variety of factors. For example, you can fill in deductible amounts and other plan specifics and compare monthly costs.
However, these companies should NEVER ask you for personal information when offering a quote. You should never reveal your name, phone number of othe identifying information when obtaining a quote online.
Divulging this kind of information can lead to identity theft so remember, companies who ask for it before you are ready to buy should be considered less than reputable.

What does pet insurance cost?

Pet insurance costs will vary from company to company, and plan to plan. The plan specifics you choose, such as a deductible and co-insurance amount, will affect your overall cost. Generally, cats are less costly than dogs and insuring exotic pets might cost more.
However, you can expect to pay about $250-400 per year on pet insurance. Pet insurance than covers only accidents may be as low as $60 per year.
Many plans allow you to make a monthly payment. If you are considering pet insurance, you should budget about $25-30 per month per animal.

Buying pet insurance may be a savvy decision

Not too long ago, pet insurance was considered not worth it. The first pet insurance plans were only introduced in the early 1980s. Prior to that vet bills were often not high enough to offset the cost of the plan.
But, these days many people are opting not to have children and so have more money to spend on their pets. Pets are now a highly valued member of a household and owners want to keep them healthy as long as possible.
Additionally, vets now have access to sophisticated diagnostic tools and treatment options. Illnesses once considered fatal can now be cured. For these reasons, buying health insurance can be a financially savvy decision.
Also, vets now have access to much more advance and sophisticated diagnostic

Pet insurance works differently than regular health care

You should be aware when buying pet insurance that filing a claim is different that your traditional health plan. When you are sick or go to the hospital, most often your health provider files a claim with your insurance company. If the claim is accepted, your health provider receives payment directly from your insurance carrier.
Pet insurance works differently. When you visit your vet, you will be expected to pay the bill in full even if the service is covered on your pet insurance plan. Then, you'll be required to file a claim form with your provider. You may have to obtain a signature from an authorized vet or vet associate. Then, reimbursement will be sent directly to you, not your provider. You should take this into consideration so you can be prepared to more fully utilize your pet insurance plan.

Good pet insurance plans offer options.

The number of pet insurance plans has risen dramatically in recent years. One estimate found about 50,000 policies were offered ten years ago compared with nearly 400,000 policies issued in 2005. With so many plans out there, it's possible that some companies are not reputable. One way to decide if a company is a good choice is to ask whether they offer options.
You should be able to help 'design' your own coverage. For example, you can decide how much your deductible will be. That is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance begins to pay. Another option you might have is an add-on for a specific kind of coverage. That means you can pay a slightly higher monthly premium to have a specific type of covered added to your policy.
In general, more reputable companies offer options. Some companies may offer very low rates but not afford you any choices, so remember if a pet insurance plan seems to good to be true, you must research diligently to see if it fits your pet's needs.

Can my exotic pet get insurance?

When most people think of pet insurance, they anticipate coverage for dogs and cats. While pet insurance for these animls is the most common type of pet insurance available, more and more plans are now offering insurance for exotic pets, too.
These days it's not uncommon for people to keep snakes, lizards, hedgehogs, chincillas, birds and horses as pets. But, whether or not to insure these pets takes careful consideration. For example, many types of lizards can develop metabolic bone disease if they are not cared for properly. You should ask your vet what types of illnesses are most likely to develop in your exotic pet and what the cost of preventive and ongoing treatment might be. Then you'll be better able to decide if exotic pet insurance is right for you.
Insurance for exotic pets is a little more difficult to find so you'll have to expand your search. But, it is out there an you should follow all the tips offered about buying cat and dog pet insurance before you buy insurance for your exotic pet.

Consider pet insurance for your horse

Many pet insurance health plans are now expanding coverage for more unusual pets. For example, many people grew up loving horses and keep them as pets. While they require special care and living conditions, raising a horse can be a fun and rewarding experience.
But, horses can also get sick or have an accident. Also, since raising horses is expensive, the loss of one due to premature death can be costly. Additionally, treatment for accidents and horse illnesses can go into the thousands of dollars, especially if the horse needs colic surgery.
That's why it may be a good idea to insure your horse against the potential high cost of vet care. There are insurance companies out there that offer coverage for foals, yearlings, stallions, mares and geldings of all breeds. Some horse pet insurance may come with exclusions so choose your plan carefully. Ask your vet what kind of illness your horse breed might commonly deveop and consider this when choosing your coverage specifics.

Make sure your pet insurance company is governed by the Department of Insurance

In the early 1980s, when pet insurance first became available, there were few plans to choose from. Now, pet lovers have many more options and it seems more plans are available every day. That is why it is essential that you make a careful decision when purchasing pet insurance.
Insurance is regulated at the state level. That means if you have a complaint or concern about an pet insurance company, the Department of Insurance in the state where you live is likely to help investigate it. When you buy pet insurance it's a good idea to ask if that company is licensed by the DOI in the state where you reside. Also, you can ask how many states the insurance company is licensed in. Answers to these questions will offer you some insight into whether the insurance carrier is reputable.

Pet insurance companies should be backed by solid underwriters

Insurance companies must be backed by an underwriter. The company that serves as an underwriter is responsible if the company needs support paying claims and the like. Underwriters carefully consider an insurance company before they back it. They are hoping that claims filed against the company will not exceed the premiums paid. For this reason, underwriters must be reputable and have a strong history in making good decisions.

When buying pet insurance, you should research what company underwrites the insurance. If that company does not have a good rating, it may be a sign that the coverage will not be worthwhile. You can find out about underwriter ratings online or by calling your state Department of Insurance.
You should also consider how long your pet insurer has been in business. This doesn't mean that newer companies can't be trusted. But, in general, if a company has a long and successful history, it might be a better choice.