How does Pet Insurance work? (US)

Goose Pet Insurance is basically a fund that pet owners pay into every month. If one of the contributing pet owners has a medical emergency with their otherwise healthy cat or dog, there are funds set aside to help pay for some of those unexpected emergency medical bills, like veterinary exams, scans & x-rays, surgeries, prescription drugs, and more. Everyone pays a little, so no one has to pay a lot. There's an annual coverage limit of $40,000 ($10k per event).

How does the deductible work? Is it annual or per occurence?

The $500 deductible is an annual one, meaning you absorb the first $500 of eligible expenses before the insurance kicks in, but once that amount is paid in an annual policy period, you don't pay it again. The deductible does reset at the policy's annual renewal date.

My pet is pretty healthy, except for...

Sorry, pre-existing conditions are not covered as part of this policy.

What if I don't know the exact age of my dog or cat?

Enter your best guess when adding your pet to your profile. We can provide new policies to pets between the ages of 8 weeks and 15 years.

What do I select if I'm not sure of my pet's breed?

Select the closest you can, and remember that 'mixed breed' is an option in the dropdown menu. Note though, that cloned animals, or hybrid breeds (domestic animals that are bred with wild animals), are not eligible.

What special pet care requirements are there?

Owners must take proper care of their pets and take any preventive care measures to avoid Injury or Illness. This includes annual health checks, annual dental exams, vet-recommended preventative treatments, vaccinations, appropriate medication as prescribed, etc. See the policy wording for details.

What about my goats?

We're able to offer insurance for cats and dogs only at this time. :)

How can I file a claim? 

If your pet suffers an injury that may be covered by the policy, the pet must visit a veterinarian within 48 hrs after first observing signs of a potential injury. Claims need to be reported as soon as possible but not later than 90 days after the policy expiration. 

• To submit a claim, please send an email to goose-pet-fnol@boostinsurance.io with your policy number, a copy of the vet invoice and your contact details. 
• Claims assistance can be provided after submitting your claim by calling 1-201-201-7922
• All claims are handled by our Claims Administrator and Goose Agents have very limited information on the status or progress of your claim.

Can you explain how coinsurance works?

Coinsurance is the percentage of an eligible claim that the policy will pay after a deductible is applied. 

• Say you choose 80% co-insurance - If it's a $3,000 claim (and eligible for coverage with Goose), the $500 annual deductible will be applied first, leaving $2,500 in eligible expenses.
• 80% of $2,500 is $2,000, so that amount would be payable by Goose (on a reimbursement basis). If you had selected the 100% coinsurance option, the full $2,500 of eligible expenses would be covered by Goose.

Can I buy a policy for my dog that doesn't live with me?

No, pets must reside with you in order to be eligible for coverage.

Discounts?

Discounts are available for Medical Service Pets and for owners who are Veterinarians or Military Personnel. Within 30 days of purchasing a policy, Goose must receive a copy of the certificate confirming the animal's status as a Medical Service Animal, or a Vet's proof of employment. Nothing is required to be shown for eligible military personnel; this includes those serving and retired members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserves, National Guard, and other Armed Forces.

What does 'mortality benefit endorsement' mean?

This is included in all Goose Pet policies and means that in the event your pet dies as a result of a covered reason, you'll receive up to $250 for cremation and burial expenses, as well as up to $150 towards the price you paid for your pet. You'll need to have original receipts showing the price you paid.

What's not covered?

As with all insurance policies, there are some exclusions - we recommend you review the list of these, starting on page 2 of our wordings.

For full details, please see the policy wording, found here.