Many pet owners are asking about genetic coverage in pet insurance plans specifically do these insurers cover genetic conditions.

While some pet plans cover hospitalization, diagnostic tests, Surgery, Cancer treatment, dental treatment and prescription medications, some do cover alternative treatments such as hydrotherapy and chiropractic adjustments.

We come to the subject of Genetics these days with all the studies that are done on genes, it has now affected how insurers view the ” predisposition factor” in their policies. Different plans are rated for their annual limits such as

$ 8,000.00 for one plan

$ 12,000.00 for another type but take into consideration your deductible portion or co-insurance portions that you pay for each claim.

Costs of Dog Disease Treatments:

Various costs going to a veterinarian for conditions such as: Parvovirus for a Pit Bull can run up to $ 9,500.00, or Ear Infections at around $ 5,000.00 for a poodle. We can all agree these costs are astronomical to an average family. A broken leg can cost for a Golden Retriever up to $ 4,000.00 or more.

Not to mention illness from bacteria, food poisoning, or diseases from our environment such as asthma. The cost on insurance on these health concerns increases for the type of coverage you seek, and it depends on your breed, and what coverage you can get from the insurers. If you are seeking dog health insurance which includes genetic coverage you must include the wording that will cover genetic coverage in the plan.

Genetic Conditions in Dogs:

The definition of a genetic disorder or condition is a condition that is caused by abnormalities in genes at birth. Genetic defects may also be inherited by parents so you can see the need for buying a dog where you can actually see the parents and get a medial report from their veterinarian.

Some insurance companies will not cover you for ” genetic, or hereditary” conditions and chronic or ongoing conditions in my dog health research.

But you can have an ongoing condition which is not genetically based so you can see its all up to how your insurance company interprets these terms. It is generally all in the fine print, and there are ways to deny payment for a claim by the use of these broadly interpreted terms. Your veterinarian can get a firm approval before any treatment begins much like dentists do with dental insurance.

Unfortunately Insurance companies in my dog health research do not always have iron clad agreements in writing policies and many people have been left with no coverage at all and this is because some diseases fall into several categories.

Genetic conditions are generally what the dog is born with by its breed type for instance large dog breeds such as German Shepard’s or Great Danes are susceptible to hip dysplasia which is a “Hereditary Disease” that is it is inherited at birth. An English Cocker Spaniel is susceptible to Familial Nephropathy which is evident at six months to the first two years of life and shuts down the kidneys.

If your dog health plan does not cover ” hereditary diseases” you would have a hard time convincing your insurer that you did not know this and if you read the fine print it may not be covered for any claims associated with this disease. Read more… »