Is it worth buying pet insurance?

Pets are such a wonderful part of our lives. They are our loyal confidantes, and we can’t put them down. But owning a pet comes with its own set of costs. Pet insurance is the best way to ensure your pet is protected in an emergency. Those unexpected expenses at the veterinary clinic can come as a jolt. Just like we protect ourselves with health insurance, our pets deserve the same level of veterinary care. You certainly don’t want to be stuck without the funds to provide your pets with the care they need and deserve.

The average pet owner spends $20-$50 per month on pet insurance, with 3.45 million pets in the US insured. The average cost of most pet routine checkups is between $50-$250, but unexpected health problems can cost thousands of dollars.

Demand for pet insurance has exploded in recent years, and this article will explore whether pet insurance is worth it, and the different options for pet insurance.

Is it worth buying pet insurance?

In my experience, pet insurance is always a good idea. Paying a small monthly fee for insurance can really pay off in the long run. If you’re lucky, you may never have to pay any large veterinary bills for your pet. But if your pet does experience challenges, you’ll be glad you have insurance that not only protects your pet, but your family as well. The peace of mind that pet health insurance provides will be very beneficial in the long run. When it comes to pet insurance, it’s usually worth getting it early on, and plans are often less expensive when you have puppies or kittens.

Sadly, my husband and I tragically lost our chocolate lab, Gus, a few years ago. We had to take him to a local emergency hospital for a few days of care before he passed away. Of course, we wanted to do everything possible to save our Gussy, which we did, but when his condition continued to deteriorate, we had to let him down. Unfortunately, we had to deal with a whopping $10,000 in debt following his passing. Not only is it heartbreaking to lose our first fur baby, but the financial stress of having to deal with it all is unfathomable. Medical bills are getting higher and we could have saved a lot of money if we had pet insurance. But we can only learn from our mistakes. Now I understand the importance of pet insurance and wanted to share how it works and what is available.

Pet Insurance Plan

With so many pet health insurance plans and pet health insurance companies in North America, it can be difficult to know which one to choose for your pet. Depending on the type of pet you have – breed, age, and disease/history, you will need to choose the plan that is best for you and your pet. There are many factors to consider when choosing pet insurance, such as whether you plan to keep your dog, how old they are, what pre-existing medical conditions or health problems they have, and whether they have any medical history or family history. Some insurance plans are better for certain breeds, while others are better for dogs or cats. It’s important to read the fine print to make sure you know exactly what your insurance plan does and doesn’t cover to avoid any surprises. The following companies vary in pet insurance coverage and cost, but are highly rated among pet insurance competitors.

the whole country

Jess uses the whole country And has been for several years. It was initially offered at a discounted rate through her former corporate job, continuing her program after she left. Over the years, she has insured all of her pets through Nationwide, and the annual premiums are almost always less than the reimbursement they pay. Nationwide offers dog and cat health insurance plans for sickness, injury and wellness care. They also offer pet insurance for birds and exotic animals. Both new chronic conditions and new recurring conditions are covered free of charge. You can get various levels of coverage, from accident to total replacement. Jess has a more basic plan for accidents and injuries. Nearly all vet visits, emergency room visits, MRIs and X-rays were covered between Nora’s illness and her eventual cancer diagnosis.

Embrace

Embrace Highly praised and recommended by customers. You can’t go wrong with the Embrace, which has an excellent set of benefits. It includes unlimited annual maximum coverage, 70%, 80% and 90% reimbursement options, and a $100 deductible. Embrace covers many conditions and diseases that other plans don’t typically cover, such as dental disease and certain breed or genetic conditions. They also cover veterinary office expenses due to illness and accidents, and have a “decreasing deductible” that reduces by $50 each year if a claim is not paid. Another benefit of Embrace is that it works against all cancer treatments. Additional benefits include a 24/7 pet telehealth line and optional wellness plans. Embrace is one of the pricier plans because it does offer a lot more coverage than other companies. On average, Embrace costs about $50 per month for one animal, and the annual coverage is unlimited (depending on the plan you choose). More expensive than others but worth it for the level of care.

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance If you’re still looking for great benefits for your pet, but need something more affordable, this is another great option. The ASPCA pays about $30 a month in premiums that cover accidents, sickness, and optional general health. They also cover pre-existing conditions if resolved within 180 days. The ASPCA has an annual coverage of $5,000. The ASPCA covers accidents, dental disease, behavioral problems, diseases, genetic disorders, and more. It excludes some pre-existing conditions, reproductive costs, cosmetic surgery and preventive care.

point

Another great option for pet health insurance is point. Also costing about $30 a month, the Spot is a great option for puppies and kittens. Plans cover accidents and illnesses, surgery, prescription drugs, and more. Also, they cover pre-existing conditions if treated and cured within 180 days. There are also options for add-on health and preventive care programs. Their annual coverage is $5,000 and they cost less than $30 a month.

many pets

many pets Also a highly rated pet insurance company that includes many benefits. The annual maximum coverage is unlimited and it comes at an affordable price compared to other unlimited plans. Reimbursement options are between 70-90% and deductible options include $100, $250 and $500. There is also a 24-hour accident and illness waiting period (if switching from another insurance company).

Other highly rated pet insurance options include:

What to Look for When Buying Pet Insurance

When shopping for pet insurance, it’s important to review the fine print for details about premium costs, plan coverage, deductibles, payout percentages, insurer track record, and other factors such as the pet’s age or breed.

plan coverage

When choosing a pet insurance plan, it’s important to understand what the different plans cover. Some plans cover accidents, illnesses, routine checkups and pre-existing conditions (under certain conditions).​​ Some plans only cover accidents, so be sure to read the fine print and decide what you need. Depending on the type of pets you have, their age, health, etc., you may need to consider more or less coverage. The nice thing about having options is that you can get a very comprehensive plan that covers everything, or you can get a more affordable but less comprehensive plan for young, healthy pets.

plan deductible

A plan deductible is the amount you pay for covered health care services before the insurance plan starts paying. For example, with a $1,000 deductible, you can pay out-of-pocket for the first $1,000 of service costs before the insurance company steps in. The lower the deductible, the more you’ll pay each month, and vice versa. There are two types of deductibles – annual deductibles and accident deductibles.

payout percentage

Another thing to consider when choosing pet insurance is the payout percentage. The payout percentage is the amount that the insurance company will reimburse you after submitting a claim. You’ll want a higher percentage (usually between 70-90%), which means the insurance company will reimburse most of your claim. Some companies have annual payment options, while others have no limit.

Insurance company track record

Be sure to check your pet insurance company’s records. You can do this by googling reviews of the company and browsing through them. If a company has poor customer service, response times, claims follow-up, etc., you will need to take this into account. It is very important to have a company that you can rely on in an emergency.

How to choose which is better

In the end, it’s up to you to choose the best pet insurance for your fur baby! Make sure you do your research and check different sources, reviews and connect with friends and family. Hearing from your loved ones about their experiences is the best way to get a good referral. Make sure whatever pet insurance you choose is the best fit for your pet’s needs.

Considerations (age, breed, etc.)

When choosing pet insurance, it’s important to consider factors such as the age and breed of your cat or dog, as well as other illnesses, pre-existing medical conditions, or genetic conditions. If your dog is getting older, you’ll need a plan that covers the health issues that may arise with age. If your dog has a family history of genetic conditions such as hip dysplasia, you will want to consider this if your pet insurance covers these conditions.

Are you currently insured for your pet? Let us know your experience in the comments!