Best Pet Insurance Companies in Santa Maria, CA

Santa Maria, CA Pet Insurance FAQs

• Is your pet still eligible for pet insurance in Santa Maria if it has a pre-existing condition?

  In Santa Maria, obtaining pet insurance for a currently or previously sick pet is possible, but there are important considerations. New insurance won't cover the ongoing illness or any prior medical conditions. Pre-existing conditions are typically not covered by pet insurance companies. However, some insurers might reconsider coverage for a pre-existing condition if it is treatable, the pet has undergone treatment, and the pet has remained symptom-free for a specified duration.

• What vet expenses can you use your pet insurance for in Santa Maria?

  A typical pet insurance policy in Santa Maria provides coverage for accidental conditions like object ingestion, poisoning, and car accident injuries, as well as illnesses, including cancer and chronic conditions. You can use your pet insurance policy to help pay for emergency and specialist vet care, prescription medicines, hospitalization, surgeries, and diagnostic tests. Some pet insurance companies will also reimburse the costs of alternative treatments and medically necessary prosthetic devices.

• Are there laws that protect pet insurance consumers in Santa Maria?

  Yes, Assembly Bill No. 2056 in California requires pet insurance companies to disclose conditions and disorders that are not covered, coverage limits such as waiting periods and annual policy limits, and if the premium and/or coverage change due to the policyholder's claim history. The bill also requires insurers to provide a 30-day free-look period following enrollment. If a new policyholder in Santa Maria cancels their policy within this time frame, they will receive a full refund.

• Can you use your pet insurance policy in any vet hospital in Santa Maria?

  Unlike human health insurance, there are no provider network restrictions for pet insurance. The policyholder must pay the vet bill in full before filing a claim with the pet insurance company. After that, the insurer will reimburse a portion of the vet bill payment via check or direct deposit. Because pet insurance works on a reimbursement basis, veterinarians are not required to accept policies, and policyholders can visit any licensed veterinarian or animal hospital in Santa Maria.

• Will your pet insurance company in Santa Maria reimburse your pet’s spaying/neutering?

  Preventative or routine care, such as spaying/neutering, is not typically covered by standard pet insurance policies in Santa Maria. However, most pet insurers offer optional wellness plans/packages that you can add to your standard policy. While standard accident and illness policies cover unexpected costs, wellness plans cover your pet's preventative care needs, such as annual checkups, vaccinations, tick/flea prevention, and dental cleanings.