Sometimes, pet parents change their mind and no longer want the insurance they signed up for their pet; when this happens, many policies give you an automatic right to cancel within 14 days of purchase. This is often called the “cooling-off period” — if you cancel within the cooling-off period, you will receive a full refund for the premiums you have paid, provided that you haven’t made a claim.
The insurer may charge you a small administration fee to cover the paperwork involved with the cancelation. After the 14 days has elapsed, you can usually cancel your policy at any time, but you won’t receive any premiums you have paid up until the date of canceling. You need to contact your insurer as soon as you want to cancel the policy, rather than just stop paying your premiums.
If you’re considering canceling your pet insurance policy for any reason, consider the following risks associated with canceling and think about your options.
Perhaps you’re thinking about canceling your insurance because your pet seems healthy, has had no medical issues to date, or has only had minor incidents in the past. However, please keep in mind that 90% of conditions arise in the last 10% of your pet’s life but can still happen at any time. Should a chronic condition such as degenerative joint disease or kidney disease arise during a period when your pet isn’t protected by insurance, you will be ineligible for coverage for diagnosis and ongoing treatment.
If you decide to cancel your pet insurance policy, any conditions that have been covered under your current plan will be viewed as pre-existing by other insurers. Also, any situations that arise when you do not have a pet insurance policy in place will be an exclusion on any future policies.
While your pet may be healthy and happy now, unexpected veterinary expenses can arise at any time, causing undue stress related to finances or compromising the care your pet receives. Without the support of pet insurance in times of need, you may risk:
- Limited care for your pet: Not having financial support to cover veterinary bills is likely to have you worrying about your pockets on top of caring for your pet.
- Depleting your savings: Regardless of whether you limit your pet’s treatment due to finances, you will still have to pay for all the veterinary expenses out of your pocket. Without a pet insurance reimbursement, this may have you pulling from a savings account that was set up for another expense.
- Economic euthanasia: It’s tough to think about, but many owners without insurance are faced with the decision to pay for high-cost veterinary treatment or to end their pet’s life. While this decision is never taken lightly, pet insurance can help ensure your pet lives a long and happy life.
If you’re thinking about canceling your current pet insurer to find a better alternative, you can check our list of the best pet insurance companies. They provide many benefits for pets of all types at very reasonable prices, so you can always have your pet protected without worrying about spending large amounts of money. With pet insurance, you’ll be getting the best value for your furry friends while keeping them happy and healthy.