The Importance of Pet Insurance

The Importance of Pet Insurance

04 September 2009 Pet Advice & Ideas (4)

Near-term costs. Long-term savings. That’s exactly what pet insurance, just like your health insurance (if you’re fortunate enough have coverage), offers pet parents. And in difficult economic times, pet insurance may be the answer to escalating vet bills.

Veterinary charges continue to rise dramatically, in large part due to the fact that procedures that were once used exclusively for human diagnoses (like CAT-scans and MRI’s) are now much more commonly used in diagnosing companion animals.

Recent measures put the number of insured companion animals at 3%, but that’s double the number of covered pets compared to the previous year. 

Pet insurance represents a relatively inexpensive way to help families deal with the high costs of the veterinary care. Policies are available through companies like Veterinary Pet Insurance, Pet Health, Inc., ShelterCare and others, both for cats and for dogs, and cover everything from annual exams to specialized treatments. 

Before you buy a pet insurance policy, call your veterinarian office to find out what policies will cover costs there. After all, there’s no point getting a policy if it your veterinarian doesn’t accept it. 

Additionally, you recommend that you discuss with your vet which policy will best cover your companion animal’s needs. With the expert information you can receive from your vet, you should be able to make the best determination for your family’s needs.


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The Importance of Pet Insurance

Near-term costs. Long-term savings. That’s exactly what pet insurance, just like your health insurance, offers pet parents. And in difficult economic times, pet insurance may be the answer to escalating vet bills.

Comments (4) -

  • Amelia

    9/29/2009 5:32:58 PM |

    A pet insurance policy should be read carefully.  What the policy does not cover is just as important as what it does cover. Will you be paying more for coverage than the actual procedure itself?  

    Pet insurance can be a money saver in cases of traumatic injury or serious illness.

    Living in the moment,
    animal lover Amelia

  • Nancy

    9/30/2009 10:19:13 AM |

    I have found that if you have a dog that has genetic diseases common to that breed the pet insurance companies will not cover them.  For example if you own a doberman, this breed is known for dilated cardiomyopathy, pet insurance will not cover any of the expenses that have to do with DCM, which can be a very very expensive disease to diagnose let alone treat.
    I find it is much more appropriate to open a credit/debit card just for pet medical and add money to it consistantly so that if the need arises the money is there.
    The least expensive cardiologist I have found charges over $300 for echo and other tests to diagnose DCM.  Most specialists are
    at least twice that amount.
    We all know that all pure breds have their own genetic problems and pet insurance will not cover those.
    Just my opinion,  it may be a good thing for some.
    Nancy

  • cheap car insurance

    12/9/2009 11:23:02 PM |

    hai
    Pet insurance is something that is becoming more popular. With our pets seemingly getting a lot of human afflictions and the cost for veterinary services pet insurance is almost a must. People also pay a lot for special breeds these days and protecting that investment is a sensible idea.

  • Nea

    12/15/2009 8:51:50 AM |

    As owner of three dogs, and of very special breeds.(dobermanns & chinese sharpei)Pet insurance does not work for me, they do not cover any of my pets. What I do is put $10 or $5 dollars a month into a savings for any doggie ER and any shoot we go to the Animal shelter for low vaccines. they do have their regular vet, but if I could save I will and I will try to provided for my dear friends.

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