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Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Why You Should Consider It Having pet insurance is a great idea if it fits your budget and you don't want to pay large sums of money if your dog becomes sick or injured. But is having pet insurance worth it? How much does pet insurance cost? We go through the process of purchasing in detail to give pet owners important information and things to consider before purchasing a plan even the details embedded in the fine print. It is important for pet owners to ask themselves how much they can afford in veterinary bills. If you think your pet will become ill or have a serious injury, pet insurance may be well worth the cost. Pet Insurance can help cover veterinary care cost when accidents happen and also help protect owners from very high veterinary bills due to illness.   What is pet insurance? Pet insurance is an insurance policy that covers most of the veterinary bills if your pet becomes sick or gets injured. There are different types of coverage: One-time payment for a specific incident (if your pet needs surgery, after any accident or illness) Monthly pet insurance premiums that will cover vet visits Coverage of alternative medicine Insurance providers also offer different types of pet health insurance plans: These can range from $10 to thousands of dollars depending on what's covered, what's required for a claim, and the amount of the deductible. The more you pay, the better the coverage you get.   What does pet insurance cover? Health care varies based on your pet insurance company, but common injuries and illnesses  covered,in the US, include: Diagnostic testing related to your pet's injury or illness Alternative medicine, such as acupuncture Surgery  In-hospital care; with a 24-hour nurse if your pet is sick or injured while boarding at a veterinary hospital Transporting your pet to an approved clinic in case of a major injury or emergency. For example, if you have an 8-year-old dog who suddenly goes blind after he got hit by a car, then you can bring him to the closest specialized veterinarian clinic instead of the one that's 10 miles from home.  If your dog or cat is diagnosed with a chronic illness, pet insurance companies will cover the treatment of your pet, as long as you keep paying the monthly premium. There are also plans that allow you to purchase coverage from different providers and still get reimbursed if there's any overlap in coverage. In any case, it covers most of your vet bills.   What does pet insurance not cover?  While pet insurance is considered to be the best way to save money if you have a pet, like any insurance, pet insurance has some limitations and might not cover all costs. Pet insurance does not cover the entire vet bill. Some treatments (such as homeopathy or chiropractic) may not be covered by your pet’s wellness plan. It is also very important to check to see if there is a waiting period before your pet is eligible for any treatment. Example: Let's say you have a $700 annual premium plan and it is effective 6-months from now. If you have emergency surgery to remove your dog's front paw, due to cancer, the surgeon may ask for payment in advance. Since your coverage is not yet effective at this point, you may have to pay the full $700 for your dog's surgery. Pet insurance companies usually look for pre-existing conditions before approving plans and treatment. This is to make sure that pet owners are not insuring their pets after the diagnosis of a serious health condition. To protect your pocket book and furry friend, it is important to get it before your furry family member becomes sick or injured. Insurance companies have their own lists of what are considered pre-existing conditions or chronic conditions. For example, if your dog is being treated for an immune disease, it may be deemed as an issue related to its breed and is thus excluded from coverage.   How Does Pet Insurance Differ From Human Health Insurance?  Human health insurance is provided to people as a way to access medical services. It is regulated by the government and is usually (at least partially) covered by your employer, although it is possible to buy private health insurance if you're self-employed. Health insurance covers most drugs that are prescribed for common illnesses such as the flu or diabetes. It's meant to cover most vet bills, although it is possible that you'll have to pay for some services upfront and then wait for reimbursement later. Human health insurance is meant to cover expenses related to everyday illnesses and injuries or major illnesses that require surgical procedures and hospital stays.  Pet insurance is almost always meant to be for accident and illness coverage that require emergency medical treatments.   Why Do You Need to Have Pet Insurance? Pet insurance is a great way to save money and provide peace of mind for those who already have or are planning to get a a dog or a cat. The amount of money that will be spent on your beloved furry friend may surprise you. Pets aren’t cheap, but they are most definitely worth it! The cost of owning a dog can be as much as $7,000 per year, just for medical expenses and medications). This is a huge amount of money for a family who is looking for a cat or dog.  Pet insurance is designed to be a monthly premium to allow pet owners to pay as you go instead of spending everything at once on medical bills. In exchange, your dog will be covered for almost all illnesses and accidents that may occur.     As mentioned above, different providers have different plans. If you do the math, most low-end plans pay around 80% of the bill (after the deductible is taken into account), while high-end ones pay anywhere from 95% - 100%. Aside from saving you money on vet bills in the event something happens, there are other benefits. You will feel confident that your pet is properly covered regardless of where he goes or what he does. In the case of pre-existing conditions, your pet is covered in case symptoms reoccur even when they're not connected to the pre-existing conditions.   What is the Cost of Pet Insurance? "How much does pet insurance cost?" is a common question that is difficult to answer because everyone's needs are different. If you are looking for a personalized quote, click on this link to get started: https://www.petinsurancereview.com/get-quote Pet insurance cost is based on your: Pet's age (older pets are usually more expensive) Pet's Breed (there are breeds that are prone to hereditary diseases) Location (if you live in a city where there is a high crime rate, you will likely pay more than if you live in an low-crime or affluent neighborhood).  Pre-existing conditions An example is that a 10-year-old dog named Lola is spayed and is living in Houston, Texas. She is insured by Trupanion. The annual premium is $223 per year.   Pet insurance plans range from as little as $15 a month to as much as $200 a month. The more expensive plans have lower deductibles and will pay for more services without you having to pay upfront. The cheaper pet insurance plans are not as comprehensive and are only meant for accident and illness coverage. The higher-end plans are more expensive because they pay for preventive care and cover long-term illnesses. In general, most pet insurance policies cover vet visits. Pet insurance is generally paid for in monthly premiums, although there are many options on how often you pay for your pet insurance plan.. You can choose to pay every two weeks, every month, or at any other interval that your pet insurance provider offers. You have the flexibility to choose the payment plan that is most convenient for you. Do your research and pick a pet insurance coverage that works best for you and your pet. Pet insurance is typically meant to help cover the costs of pet emergencies and is not meant for regular checkups. Now is the time to invest in pet insurance! If you are looking for years of worry-free care for your pet, be able to save time and money which is why insuring your cat or dog is one of the best investments to make. Taking excellent care of your furry friend is definitely worth the cost of pet insurance.. Some pet insurance companies will have a limit on how much is spent per year, while others will not.  "Can I apply for pet health insurance when my pet is already sick?" Yes, but there is usually a waiting period before you can make your first claim. You can ask the insurance company to waive this waiting period if you are willing to pay higher premiums. It’s best to  pick a plan that covers the things you need and is within your price range. It is worth it to invest in an annual  physical and dental checkup so any pre-existing conditions can be found early on, before they progress and cost much more than if your pet were treated earlier on. The pet health insurance is there to pick up the tab if your pet is sick or injured. You can also go to our blog to read more about pet insurance. The more you know, the easier it is to pick a plan that is right for you. Another benefit of having pet insurance is not only the cost savings but also the non-financial ones; including priceless peace of mind, feeling confident  knowing that your pet is protected, and not having to put yourself through a lifetime of debt. Think of pet insurance as an investment for your furry family member. You'll be able to give your cat or dog the best care possible if something were to happen to them. Pet insurance is better than putting your hard-earned money towards the stress of a huge vet bill. When applying for a pet insurance plan, check to see if there is a limit as to how much is paid out per year or per condition. It is important to take this into consideration when choosing a plan because it is easy to spend over the limit if you are not careful. There is also a chance that your pet insurance provider will refuse to cover the cost of treatment if it is over the limit, regardless of whether there is still money left in the year, so it is best to be informed and aware. A pet is a member of your family and is going to be with you for a very long time, hopefully a lifetime. Investing in pet insurance is one of the best things that you can do for your furry friend. You'll have peace of mind knowing that they are protected from injury or illness. Unforeseen (and costly) emergency veterinary costs are all too common, and it's very difficult to predict if and when injuries and accidents will occur. Data shows, one in three pets will require urgent treatment at some point during their lives. The average cost of a single trip to the vet is $508 (not including medication and follow-up visits), so it is important to take this into consideration when budgeting for your pet health care. If you have insurance, then your insurer is covering the cost of treatment. If not, then you are responsible for the entire bill. This undue stress is completely avoidable by investing in pet insurance. Below is a chart of the average costs of some accidents and illnesses your pet can have. In the event of an emergency that is not totally addressed (often due to a lack of pet owner funds), something may be overlooked or neglected, resulting in future medical costs. This extra cost only adds to your debt and the stress of dealing with a sick pet. This is avoidable, which is why having pet insurance is an essential expense. Sadly, pet owners are often faced with having to choose between paying a lot of money out-of-pocket or saving their beloved furry friend. It is a sad fact that thousands of pets are euthanized each year because their owners could not afford to pay for expensive treatments. If they’d had pet insurance coverage, many lives could have been saved.    Having your pet covered by a pet insurance policy is well worth the cost.   How Do I Know If My Pet Needs To Be Insured or Not? These are immediate  benefits of being a pet owner: You get to feed your pet, take care of it, and love  it every day. Your heart is filled with joy when you see your dog’s tail wagging or hear your cat’s purring, as you come through the door.  Unfortunately, some breeds have specific, genetic health issues, so it is best to research your breed before deciding against it. Larger dogs are also more prone to suffer from health problems that don’t affect smaller dogs. Larger dogs are more likely to get arthritis and various heart conditions, which might lead to ongoing treatment and cost hundreds or thousands of dollars each year. Hip dysplasia is a disease that affects many kinds of dogs and is very commonly seen in Corgi. Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition in which there is a fault in one or both sides of the dog's hip joints. A dog with hip dysplasia has an ill-fitting thigh bone into the hip joint. If you want to know more about your particular breed, here are some breed guides to get you started! When is the right time to get pet insurance? This is a question with no definite answer, but our recommendation is and always will be the sooner the better. If you are planning to have pets, is it worth it? Yes! The truth is that pet insurance is not really insurance at all-it is more of a prepaid medical plan for your pets. The best time to get pet insurance is right when you get your new fur baby or even before you have one. We know that as an owner, there is nothing worse than having to make a choice-pay for my pet's treatment or pay rent. If you're in this situation right now, then know that is not the end of the world. These medical emergencies do happen and it is important to know that there are many different types of pet insurance plans available and you can actually save money too with these plans, so is pet insurance really worth it? The simple answer is yes!     Tips for finding the best pet insurance If you own a dog, then the best time is when he is still a puppy. This is because most pet insurance providers offer better rates for puppies because they have good odds of growing up to be healthy and strong pets. The same goes for cats – just make sure you have the papers to prove it if your plan covers hereditary conditions!   Another way is to shop around for pet health insurance providers every year or two. As more pet owners insure their cats and dogs, new pet insurance providers pop up all the time. Some companies even give away free quotes online, so you can just browse through their sites without any cost at all or go to our free personalized quote tool and get started there! Here is a list of the best pet insurance companies in 2020 based on pet owner reviews If you are living in a neighborhood with other dog or cat owners, asking around is an option. If your neighbors have pets then they might know about veterinary hospitals that offer discounted rates to clients who live  in the area.t is cheaper for them to deliver goods and services nearby. The same is true with pet insurance companies-it is cheaper for them to offer a multi-policy discount if you have more than one pet. If you have a friend who is planning to get a new dog soon, it is best to get your own plan first and then ask him or her for recommendations.  if your dog or cat doesn't have pre-existing conditions you're probably better of with a a policy that is only meant for accident only coverage. Typically, “Is pet insurance worth it?” is a question that is asked by pet owners before they even have their first appointment. As you can see from the examples above, there are many ways to save money on your plan and at the same time give yourself peace of mind! Is pet insurance really worth the price? The answer is yes! But how is it even possible is a question that is often asked by pet owners? Well, it is a question that is answered by the benefits and perks of pet insurance. These are some of the questions pet owners ask themselves to avoid getting pet insurance: What if my pet doesn't get ill or have an emergency? Am I wasting my money? I could save the money and pay upfront All of the above might be true, but the reality is that most pets do have unexpected  accidents, and some pets even develop chronic conditions that require continuous treatment. Answering "is pet insurance worth it" is usually not about if your pet will get into an accident, but when. Your peace of mind is well worth the price to ensure you and your pets' protection-after all is said and done, is it really worth risking everything? With a pet insurance policy, you no longer have to worry about paying medical bills if your dog is already covered by your plan. The price is justified by  saving hundreds or thousands of dollars.   When is Pet Insurance a Waste of Money? If you are currently unemployed or looking for a new job, then the price is also subjective. If you don't have enough money to pay for the bills, it is best not to get any pets at all right now because if anything happens to them, you will be more heartbroken than you can imagine. You would not be able to cope with loss. If you do not have enough time to bring your pet to the veterinarian or if you do not have enough time to spend with your pet, then is it really worth getting one at all? If you work late hours and come home tired? While the answer may still be “yes”, but you'll have to ask your employer for a longer leave of absence or prioritize the time that is needed to keep your pet healthy. Just like human beings, pets need their exercise and playtime – they also require proper grooming and all the amenities we take for granted. If “Is it worth it?” is still a question in your mind, then the only way to find out is to get one. The application process is really easy and there are no hidden fees, here is a link to our free personalized quote tool!   Are there Any Pet Insurance Scams Out There? While the pet insurance industry is growing, pet health insurance is not extremely widespread yet. This is why scam artists may try to take advantage of people by offering low-quality plans or giving false information about their services online or even offline. Make sure you stay away from copycat sites - the best ones are made by providers themselves (or official affiliates/partners).  Be careful during the application process as well. If you notice any unusual requests, or sudden changes in statements (eg: requiring to pay for your pet upfront), then it is best that you just back out and report the situation to the Better Business Bureau so other people will not be cheated too! Be sure to check out the different sections of our website! It is full of reviews about pet insurance from pet owners, as well as useful information about how to keep your pets happy and healthy through diet and exercise! Always look to buy directly from the insurance company. Here are some of them!   So, Is Pet Insurance Worth It? The decision to get pet health insurance is a personal one, and there are no right or wrong answers here. Some people choose not to insure their pets because they believe that their pets will never need treatment for anything serious and consider pet insurance as something that's only good for emergencies. Others find pet insurance very important to have because it gives them peace of mind on what can happen to their beloved furry friend. Each pet is an individual, so you will have to decide for yourself if you'd prefer to pay upfront or save money in case something happens. Remember that some insurance providers offer cashback if you buy your first policy within a certain period of time after the date your pet turns 6 months old, so it's always a good idea to take advantage of any discounts you can get. Also, if you have more than one pet, then you could even find discounts. Before you purchase any of the pet health insurance plans, ask yourself the following questions: Do I have enough savings to pay upfront if my pet ends up needing emergency treatment? Does my state allow me to get reimbursed in case something happens to my pet when he's away from home? What is the coverage level of this provider (80% - 100%)? Is it a good deal compared to other providers? Does my pet have ongoing health issues that will require treatment in the future? Am I willing to compromise in getting cheaper plans in exchange for lower coverage levels, which means no reimbursement if my pet is sick?   Ask yourself these questions to see if pet insurance is worth it. You can also explore the point of view of veterinarians. Talk to your vet, ask them about it, and if you need more information, there are a ton of resources you can find on our site here are a couple of useful links: What is pet insurance? How does pet insurance work? How much does pet insurance cost? If you're ready to get started here is a link to our free personalized quote tool and dog insurance and cat insurance providers! At Pet Insurance Review, we always recommend getting pet insurance. From our point of view, and many other pet parents agree, there is no question, pet insurance is worth it for most people.   References: Brooks, L. (2020). Average Cost of Emergency Vet Visits. Retrieved from https://emergencyvetsusa.com/average-cost-of-emergency-vet-visits/ VetTech. (2020). 25 Amazing Veterinarian Breakthroughs in the Last 10 Years. Retrieved from https://www.vettech.org/25-amazing-veterinarian-breakthroughs-in-the-last-10-years PetCure Oncology. (2020). Can Pet Insurance Help Fight Pet Cancer? Retrieved from https://petcureoncology.com/can-pet-insurance-help-fight-pet-cancer/ Probasco, J. (2020). Insuring Your Parrot, Ferret, Potbellied Pig, or Horse. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/insuring-your-parrot-ferret-pig-or-horse-5082585