Pet Insurance; is it waste of money or necessity for all pet owners? Here are all pros and cons:
According to Canine Journal, up to one in three pets require urgent veterinary care each year. With bills ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, however, many owners think twice before taking their dogs to the vet. Enrolling in a pet insurance plan can help offset those costs, easing owners’ minds when it comes to caring for their companions.
Like their human counterparts, dogs can get insurance to cover the costs of care after an unexpected accident or illness. It’s important to note, however, that owners are still responsible for vet bills as they arise and the company will reimburse expenses, minus the copay or deductible. For a monthly fee, most insurance companies offer several types of coverage, including accidental, illness and wellness plans. Owners can choose a combination of these that best suits their individual dog’s needs. Accidental plans cover X-rays, tests and medications that arise from an unexpected incident, such as a broken bone, for example, while illness plans cover costs when your dog becomes sick and needs veterinary care. Wellness plans include coverage for annual checkups and vaccines. It’s important to note that insurance providers will not cover pre-existing conditions, so enrolling your pet while he is still young may help avoid exclusions for age-related conditions.
While pet insurance can ease tough decisions when your dog gets sick or injured, the choice to enroll depends on each owner. You should consider your dog’s breed, age, health, pre-existing conditions, hereditary conditions and individual care needs when shopping around for insurance, as these all play a role in determining insurance costs and what your pet needs. Talk to your veterinarian about what to plan for as your dog ages, too, as you will need to anticipate the kind of care he may require later in life. Some breeds have unique health concerns that sway their owners’ decisions about insurance, such as golden retrievers’ tendency to develop hip dysplasia. This can make these dogs more expensive to insure, but premiums can also save on costly surgery in the future. After researching and choosing several companies that match your pets’ unique needs, obtain quotes from them for the cost of insurance. Have your vet send in a copy of your dog’s records, as companies that are truly interested in your business will review them and clearly outline any conditions that will be excluded from your pet’s plan. It’s important to know exactly what is and what is not covered before investing in pet insurance.
In the long run, pet insurance can save you money and ease tough decisions if your dog becomes unexpectedly sick or injured. To learn more about pet insurance and compare plans, visit Canine Journal, Consumers Advocate or PetInsuranceQuotes.com.
