The following is borrowed with permission from a blog post by Trupanion, a pet insurance provider with whom Indian Tree has worked with frequently in the past. Trupanion created the ABCs of Pet Insurance as a tool to help pet owners understand the key factors and questions to keep in mind when looking for the best coverage policy for their cat or dog. While this is not an endorsement for Trupanion over any of the other providers, we found this particular article by them to be very helpful for pet owners who have no prior knowledge of the pet insurance marketplace.

When your pet gets ill or injured, the last thing you want to think about is how much it will cost. And with the many advancements in veterinary medicine, the costs can become quite a financial burden. Medical insurance for pets is rising in popularity and becoming an essential part of responsible pet ownership. However, with so many different types of insurance, companies, policy options and add-ons, choosing the best policy can seem overwhelming. It should not be mistaken with liability or property insurance. The concept of pet medical insurance is fairly straightforward—pay a monthly premium in order to be covered for unexpected, costly veterinary expenses— but every provider is different and offers varying coverage with differing plans, pricing options and limitations. How can you decide which one to choose?

We’ve created the ABCs of Pet Insurance, a simple tool to help you navigate pet medical insurance, plus tips on what you really need to know when it comes to choosing a provider. This simple guide outlines key factors that should go into deciding whether medical insurance for your pet is the right fit for your family.