Does Pet Insurance Make Sense For You And Your Pet?

by Jim Hofman

Many pet owners will do everything they can to make sure their pets have long, happy, and healthy lives.

Just as health care technology has dramitically advanced, so has veterninary science. Illnesses previously untreatable even 10 years ago are now routinely resolved, thereby helping out pets live longer lives.

Costs of Veterinary Care Continue to Rise

Veterinary science has seen remarkable breakthroughs in the past two decades, but just as in the human health sector, costs have risen. Many pet illnesses and diseases are being treated that often went undetected in the past.

The increased cost of veterinary care is an important issue for many pet owners.

Recently, our neighbor’s German Shephard “Duke” suffered from hip dysplacia. Duke is now happily on the mend, but not before his owners paid over $2000 in vet bills. Another friend’s cat developed a stubborn kidney infection, requiring extensive diagnostic and follow up treatment. The $1400+ in costs left our friend juggling her finances to pay the vet bills.

What is Pet Insurance, and Does it Make Sense For You?

Pet insurance is relatively new in the United States, but very common in Europe. Basically, pet insurance reduces the risk of caring for your dog or cat. Perhaps the most important factor with pet insurance is that it eliminates the difficult decision of choosing between your finances or letting your pet go untreated.

Just like health insurance companies, pet insurance companies differ in what they offer and cover. Some pet insurance policies will only pay for pets below a certain age. Others have numerous deductibles and restrictions, depending on multiple factors.

Anyone considering pet insurance should ask themselves this question: “Will I devote a reasonable amount of time and money to treat and heal my pet?”. If your answer is “yes”, you’re a good candidate for pet insurance. Sadly, many pet owners are forced to choose between finances and their pet’s health. Worse, other pet owners view their pets as disposable, and simply won’t treat the animal if it becomes too ill.

What Pet Insurance Plans Cover And Their Cost

Pet insurance plans cost basically the same for cats and dogs. Most start at $10 per month, with a nominal deductible, usually $50. Senior pets, if insurable, cost somewhat more, typically $25-$35 per month. At this time, we only know of one company that accepts senior pets, normally defined as age 8 and above.

All pet insurance plans offer coverage for accidents and illness, while some offer coverage for routine expenses like annual check ups and flea preventative. Sometimes, pet insurance companies that offer routine care coverage are set up with contracted veterinarians, similar to a PPO or HMO health care arrangement. For policies that cover unplanned illnesses and injuries, you can use the veterinarian of your choice, and these plans may also offer some discount element for routine veterinary services.

Two Real Life Financial Examples

One of my co-workers has two pets, a 6 year old cat and an 11 year old border collie mix. Early last year, his cat Whiskers was diagnosed with a respiratory illness, similar to asthma. Complicating matters, the border collie mix was found to have a small malignant tumor during a routine check up. Several months earlier, my co-worker had taken out pet insurance on both pets, roughly $10 per month for his cat and $30 monthly for his dog. After all was said and done, his cat’s veterinary bills totalled $1600 and his dog’s bill was almost the same, $1500.

Fortunately, pet insurance significantly reduced his out-of-pocket expense. Instead of incurring roughly $3100 in unplanned expenses, his total outlay to treat his pets amounted to $250 … a $50 deductible for an adult cat and a $200 deductible for a senior dog.

Researching Pet Insurance

There are a handful of pet insurers available to you. Do your homework and make sure the policy is right for you and your pet. For example, if you’re comfortable budgeting for routine annual expenses like check ups, shots, and flea preventative, there’s no need to pay a pet insurance company to cover routine expenses. Rather, look for a company that protects you from large, unplanned expenses.

If you determine pet insurance is right for you and your pet, here are some important factors to consider when choosing the right policy for you and your pet:

Look for guaranteed acceptance, whether your pet is a kitten or a puppy or a senior pet. Also, if you’re comfortable with your vet, make sure the pet insurance policy gives you the freedom to go to any vet. Further, make sure your policy premium doesn’t increase as your pet ages. Last but not least, look for unlimited accident coverage. Accidents can happen at any time, particularly to pets.

About the Author:

Before considering Pet Insurance, make sure it’s best for you and your pet. Ask yourself if you’re willing to devote a little time and money to care for your pet. If your answer is yes, you’re a good candidate for Pet Insurance .