Preface: This blog entry is not an advertisement for pet insurance; but rather, an informative entry that comes from one of our volunteers/instructors who has experienced the emotional and financial pains of losing two beloved dogs to cancer, one at the young age of eight years old.
We've all heard of health insurance for humans, but are you familiar with health
insurance for your pet? Pet insurance is a healthcare policy for your pet that pays, or
partly pays, for veterinary treatments for the policy owner's pet.
Plans can vary as to what is covered. Unlike human insurance you must pay the vet in
full, then get reimbursed for the covered treatment by the insurance company.
Some insurance companies only cover cats and dogs, though some cover horses and
other pets. They may limit coverage to pets having pre-existing conditions, or congenital
or hereditary conditions. Hip dysplasia and dental disease may also limit your
coverage. This may be an incentive to purchase your insurance when your pet is very
young, before the pre-existing conditions occur.
Is paying for pet insurance worth it? The average monthly premiums can range from
$20 - $100. That is $240 - $1,200 a year. Without pet insurance, illness or injury
treatments can cost the owner hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Most pet owners
would agree that their pets are part of the family. It is a personal and financial decision
to have pet insurance, but it can also give you peace of mind, if and when your family
pet becomes ill.