Key Points
- Transferring pet insurance, rather than letting a policy lapse, is often a better option when your pet is adopted by someone new.
- It’s often possible to transfer pet insurance to a new owner, but you should check with your insurance provider to see if it’s allowed.
- There are some documents, such as consent forms and proof of ownership, that you may be asked to provide.
Sometimes, pet parents can’t give their pets the love and care they deserve, bringing them to the difficult decision to give them a new home.
Pet owners that already have their pup or kitty on a pet insurance plan might be wondering: How can I be sure that my pet is still receiving the coverage and health care they need with their new owner? Or maybe you’re the new owner, looking for a way to seamlessly adopt coverage.
The good news is that it’s often possible to transfer pet insurance and its coverage to a new owner. It all depends on the insurance provider’s policies and processes – but in many cases, it is possible for your pet to remain covered throughout this transition.
Why transfer pet insurance?
While you can absolutely let your pet insurance coverage lapse and leave it to your pet’s new caretaker to pick up the slack, there are a few reasons why that might not be the best option.
First, if your pet insurance lapses, that means your pet will face a gap in their coverage. Even if they get a new policy, ailments that develop before your plan begins or during a waiting period often aren’t covered by insurance, since they’re often considered pre-existing conditions. Depending on the policy, formerly covered conditions may become excluded from coverage. Even worse, you risk the chance of your pet falling ill or getting injured without coverage.
Depending on the length of time that’s passed since coverage for your pet began, the cost of coverage (premiums) may also have shifted. Older pets may cost more to insure than younger pets since they’re at a greater risk of developing conditions that require medical attention like heart disease or arthritis. Your deductible may also be higher to account for the greater risk the insurance company is taking on.
By transferring your pet insurance to your pet’s new owner, you might be able to preserve the original pet insurance plan, helping you rest easy knowing that your pet is in good hands – both inside and outside the veterinarian’s office. There’s no way to put a price on that, helping you find peace of mind. However, the ability to transfer pet insurance and preserve the original plan terms is all dependent on the insurance provider’s policies and processes.
How does transferring pet insurance work?
The process for transferring pet insurance from one owner to another depends on the individual pet insurance provider and plan. For example, some pet insurance providers may have a one-step process, while others have a few more hoops to jump through.
Your first step is to visit your provider’s website and look for any guidelines on how to transfer your pet’s insurance. Their FAQ page may provide helpful instructions on how to transfer your pet’s coverage to a new owner. If you can’t find that information on the website, you can contact their customer support to get the answers you need.
Be sure to carefully review your insurance provider’s guidelines for transferring a pet insurance policy. Each pet insurance provider might have its own rules and guidelines. It could be as simple as filling out a form for the new owner to declare ownership of the covered pet and take responsibility for their bills moving forward. In other circumstances, you might have to contribute documents like a consent form, proof of ownership, and new billing information.
Aside from pet insurance, there are other steps you’ll generally have to take – for instance, if your pet has a microchip, you need to update the relevant information. Inform the new owner about your pet’s medical history (vaccinations, neutering or spaying, etc.) and any conditions they’ve faced in the past, so they know what they have to take care of.
Be sure to stay in touch with your pet’s new owner to make sure the process is going smoothly. Just as you hand the reins to them to care for your pet, you have to collaborate with them for the benefit of your pet.
Is transferring a pet insurance plan worth it?
Enrollment in a pet insurance policy has many benefits. It can relieve some stress by helping you pay for your pet’s eligible vet bills for covered conditions.
We’re pet lovers ourselves. That’s why we want to help make sure your pets are cared for. With Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans, transferring your pet insurance plan to a new owner is possible.
Just submit the required documents, and if approved, your plan transfers. It’s as easy as that! There are a few circumstances under which a change of ownership wouldn’t be approved, but be sure to provide all necessary documentation so the process is as painless as possible.
DISCLOSURE
