If you are a devoted pet parent, you undoubtedly cherish the well-being of your beloved cat or dog. Unfortunately, our four-legged friends are not invulnerable to accidents and health problems, and these unpredictable moments can happen at any time. Whether your pet is facing a broken bone, an infection, or even a dreaded illness like cancer, you will naturally want to make sure they receive the best care possible. But, as any responsible pet owner knows, veterinary costs can quickly add up quickly.
Without a financial safety net to cover potential costs that could run into the thousands of dollars, you could find yourself facing a daunting dilemma. Making difficult choices between your pet’s health and your financial stability can be extremely difficult. To guard against such difficult situations, many veterinarians recommend pet insurance. While it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, many pet owners find immense comfort in the financial and emotional security it provides.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at what three vets have to say about pet insurancemainly for cats and dogs.
If you are considering insuring your pet, start by getting a free quote now to find out more.
Why Vets Think Pet Insurance May Be Worth It
In the same way that humans don’t want to deal with medical bills without health insurance, uncovered veterinary bills can also be difficult.
“If an emergency arises and treatment or surgery is necessary, it can cost thousands of dollars to resolve the situation. Many families do not have these types of resources and may have to make the very painful decision to euthanize their beloved pet.” says Dr. Sandra Norman, a veterinarian at Noah’s Animal Hospitals in Indiana.
In other words, your ability to afford unexpected care, especially in an emergency, can go a long way in determining whether pet insurance is worth it.
“Pet parents should put themselves in the situation where a beloved pet requires expensive emergency care or surgery: Would paying for this procedure be a significant source of financial stress? A monthly fee “Is lower achievable for your family and better to save separately for this possible, but not guaranteed, future need?” says Dr. Philippa Pavia, vice president of medical strategy at Bond Vet in New York.
“Some people will prefer to put some savings towards paying a monthly premium, but for others, the peace of mind and knowing the money is ready and available is worth every penny,” she adds.
Even in less deadly situations, pet insurance can still be paid for.
“Insurance helps cover the unexpected costs of owning a pet and can be a huge relief for owners, as they typically cover 80-90% of costs, depending on the plan,” says Dr. Sarah Gorman, head veterinarian at Small Door Veterinary in New York. York.
Outside of wellness and preventative care (although some plans offer them as an add-on), most pet insurance companies cover medical conditions, “provided they are not conditions pre-existing conditions,” adds Dr. Gorman. “That’s why we recommend pet owners check out insurance options early in their pet’s life, before there is a problem.”
Start checking pet insurance prices here now or compare providers using the table below.
How Veterinarians Suggest Owners Choose a Policy and Provider
If you think pet insurance might be worth it, consider researching different pet insurance policies to see which ones fit your budget and preferences.
“Consider the level of cover provided, the cost of premiums and excesses, and any exclusions or limitations. Reading reviews from other pet owners and consulting with your veterinarian can also be helpful in making an informed decision,” says Dr. Pavia.
A few pet insurance plans offer more limited coverage, such as for accidents only, while others offer more comprehensive coverage, including areas like certain dental issues.
“Be sure to read the coverage carefully. For example, dental disease is the number one disease (among dogs and cats in Massachusetts),” says Dr. Gorman. “Dental procedures with surgical extractions are considered wellness care and are not covered by most insurance unless there is a traumatic injury to the mouth. These procedures can be quite expensive.”
In other words, you want to have a good idea of how these types of issues would be covered, if at all, before purchasing a policy.
“As with any contract, it is important to read the policy terms and conditions carefully and ask questions to fully understand what is covered and what is not,” says Dr. Pavia.
And when choosing an insurance policy, keep in mind this cost is not always directly linked to quality.
“Don’t assume that the most expensive insurance is the best. This is not always the case. This is a competitive and growing market. Sometimes new companies offer more affordable rates,” says Dr. Gorman.
Get a free pet insurance quote here now to learn more.
What Vets Warn Owners About
While pet insurance can be helpful to many pet owners, you don’t want to blindly buy pet insurance plans. On the one hand, it’s important to note that pet insurance may work differently than human health insurance.
“You need to understand whether you have to pay upfront and then be reimbursed or whether they pay the veterinarian directly,” says Dr. Norman. Also, “check if the premium is paid monthly, semi-annually or annually”.
Pet parents should also be aware of different restrictions and costs, such as certain breeds And medical conditions.
“The decision to insure a pet may differ depending on the type of animal and breed. For example, certain dog breeds are more prone to certain health problems, which may make insurance more attractive but “It’s also more expensive on a monthly basis for these pet owners,” says Dr. Pavia.
And in some cases, a pet’s history can make insurance ineffective.
“Pet insurance is generally not helpful for pets that have significant medical histories, because once a health problem is documented, most insurance companies do not cover anything related to this body system,” says Dr. Gorman.
The essential
Eventually, pet insurance can help for many situations, especially if you want to reduce stress and difficult decisions that can arise from unexpected veterinary bills. Generally, you want to get pet insurance as early as possible so that it is more cost-effective, but even older animals can be assured.
“Insurance helps us cover the unexpected,” says Dr. Gorman. “Veterinarians don’t like to hand out big bills and we want our members’ money to go as far as possible. By working with insurance companies, it helps us provide gold standard care to our pet patients. »
Learn more about pet insurance policies and rates here now..