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What is the difference between pet insurance and wellness plan?

You have two different options for making your pet's healthcare more affordable: pet insurance and wellness plans. Our Westport vets explain the differences and benefits of each.


Protecting Your Pet's Future

When looking into veterinary care for your pet, it's important to understand the types of services your pet is and isn't covered for. 

This can help ensure you aren't paying out of pocket when you visit your vet or need to plan payment for your pet's care.

While both pet insurance policies and wellness plans offer benefit, they are very different. 

In this post, our Westport veterinarians explain the differences and benefits of both pet insurance and pet wellness plans. 

Difference between pet insurance and pet wellness plans

What is a wellness plan?

Wellness plans can help cover costs of routine veterinary care. Unlike pet insurance, you only pay for the services and treatments you use with a small monthly amount. This allows you to adopt a more proactive approach to veterinary care for your pet. From your vet's perspective, it allows them to detect early signs of any diseases or conditions your pet may have before they develop into more serious (potentially very expensive) issues. 

What does a wellness plan cover?

Generally, wellness plans cover routine vet care such as vaccinations, microchipping and dental care. These plans help you spread out the cost of maintaining and improving your pet's overall health during their lifetime. 

What is pet insurance?

If your pet needs emergency veterinary care, pet insurance takes care of any veterinary bills to ensure you won't pay out of pocket. 

Treating an illness such as diabetes or cancer, or emergency treatment can become very expensive quickly. With pet insurance, you'll have financial assistance to pay bills for accidents and conditions covered by your pet insurance policy.

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance will typically cover treatment for emergencies following accidents or illnesses. A pet insurance policy may also include treatment for prescription medications, orthopedic conditions, congenital and hereditary conditions. 

How do I choose which option to buy?

Some pet owners choose either a wellness plan or pet insurance, while some subscribe to both so their pet will have complete protection. Ensuring you know exactly how wellness plans and pet insurance can benefit you and your pet can help you make the right decision for you. 

Your vet can also help you decide which is right for your pet depending on their specific requirements and concerns. 

Our annual Wellness Plans help keep pets healthy. Choose the Wellness Plan that's right for your pet.

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Westport Veterinary Associates has been providing comprehensive veterinary care for your cherished pets in Fairfield County since 1993.

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Book Online (203) 259-3647