Purchasing Pet Health Insurance

Living with pets can be expensive. Veterinary care is often one of the more costly items pet lovers contend with.  Routine care and shots can be expensive enough, but what happens when our pets actually get ill? Surgeries and ongoing treatment can be more than a pet owner can afford. Does it pay to purchase pet health insurance?

That's a question not easily answered. Pet health insurance can be costly. If your pet remains healthy, you will be spending more overall with the insurance than without it. Yet health insurance for humans works the same way. You buy it hoping you will never have to use it.

If you are considering health insurance for your pet, the first place to check is with your veterinarian. Your vet can tell you about the experiences of others with insurance. The staff at the veterinary office where I bring my dogs told me there was a big difference in satisfaction between various veterinary companies.

Consider these facts:

One in three pets will need emergency veterinary treatment every year.
Two out of every three pets experience a significant health problem during their lifetime.

Solutions:

If you live in the US or Canada take a look at our recommended Pet Insurance company.

If your in the UK then our highly recommended partner is Argos Pet Insurance .

Be aware that not all insurance companies allow you to go to whatever vet you desire. Some keep their costs down by telling you where you have to go. If your vet is on there list it's no problem, but in that case talk to your vet to be sure he plans on staying with them for a long time. If you have no strong ties to your veterinary service, then this isn't an issue.

Many pet health insurance companies do allow you to go to your veterinarian of choice. In those cases, take a close look at coverage and deductibles. Sometimes it's tricky to understand the deductibles. For example, a company might charge a $50 deductible each time you bring your animal in. Another will have that same deductible, but it only applies per incident. In other words, if your pet is brought in for an ongoing illness, the deductible is only charged the first time.

Reading pet health insurance plans can be confusing. After narrowing your options by price, go over any potential policy very carefully. Then, if you decide a policy is right for you, remember that you are buying it for peace of mind. You hope you never have to use it.