Pet Health Insurance
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A pet is a member of your family. Whether your pet is a yellow lab, a tabby cat, or a chinchilla, you undoubtedly want to give it the best care you can. If you’ve ever had to make an emergency vet visit, you know that the costs can quickly strain any budget. Because of the high cost of pet health care, unfortunately many families must make the difficult choice of whether or not to take additional measures to save a pet based on cost. Regular checkups are also necessary to maintain your pet’s health. You can pay out of pocket for every visit, or you can invest in pet care health insurance.
The Cost of Pet Care
- Kidney transplants and radiation therapy costs can range from $1,000 to $5,000.
- In 2015, pet owners spent $12.2 billion on veterinary care.
- Socks are the most common items removed from a dog’s stomach. If your dog eats a sock, it can cost more than $1,500 dollars to remove.
- Hip replacements can cost up to $10,000.
- Pet health care insurance can cost anywhere from $10 to $100 per month.
Should I Buy Pet Health Care Insurance?
Buying pet care health insurance is a personal decision. It has become more popular and available due to advancements in veterinary medicine. Today, veterinarians are able to perform better diagnostic tests and procedures that can save more animals' lives. Even if your pet is young and healthy, you may find that some pet health insurance plans make sense for your needs and budget. On the other hand, if buying pet health care insurance will have a significant impact on your wallet, you may just want to set money aside for emergencies.
What to Consider When Searching for Pet Health Insurance Plans
Some pet care health insurance companies may only offer health insurance for dogs. Others may offer pet insurance for cats but will not cover your lizard. The more exotic your pet is, the harder it will be to find pet health insurance plans that will cover it.
Take into consideration the breed of your pet. Some animals are more prone to health issues. If you aren’t sure what kind of health issues your pet could have, speak to your vet. If you know that your dog’s breeding causes him to be prone to hip problems, you might want to consider buying pet health care insurance.
Consider an average day in your animal’s life. If you live near a busy freeway and your dog consistently jumps the fence, you may want to consider not only looking into pet health insurance plans, but dog life insurance as well. If you travel with your animal, there’s an increased risk of accidents as well as exposure to other animals who could have diseases. Pet travel insurance will cover your pet’s health no matter where you are.
Pet health insurance may be worth the investment if your animal is prone to illness or the risk of having an accident is higher. If your dog is healthy overall, and is not a breed that tends to have health issues, managing your dog’s health may be a better and more proactive step than buying health insurance for your dog. No matter what level of protection you need, an independent insurance agent can help you make pet insurance comparisons and decide whether a pet healthcare plan makes sense.
What Do Pet Health Insurance Plans Cover?
There are different types of health insurance pet policies that have varying levels of coverage. Accident coverage will cover your dog or cat if it gets hit by a car. You can also add illness coverage which protects against the costs associated with unexpected illness. More comprehensive plans are offered that will pay for a range of procedures from preventive care to surgeries.
When trying to find the top pet care health insurance policy, you may find plans that cover dental work and behavior therapy as well. Some of the top claims for pets include ear infections, skin allergies, diabetes and arthritis. Understanding what kind of risks your animal faces will help you choose the best plan.
How Much Does Pet Health Insurance Cost?
When considering pet care health insurance, pet owners are most concerned about costs. These caosts can vary significantly from one policy to the next.
Premium cost for pet health insurance plans really depends on the type of policy you choose. If you choose a very basic policy that includes accident coverage, you could be paying $8 to $10 per month. Pet insurance rates for better coverage are higher. Plans that cover preventive care can cost anywhere from $150 to $200 per year. You may be able to get pet health care insurance discounts by raising your deductible limits but the insurance company you work with may have set limits.
Evaluate what’s important for your pet and how much you can spend. Always check pet insurance ratings to make sure you’re buying a reputable product. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
How to Find and Compare Pet Health Insurance Plans
Finding the right pet health care insurance for your animal is similar to searching for family health insurance plans. Comparison shopping is necessary to ensure that you are getting a quality plan at a competitive rate. When you work with an independent insurance agent in the Trusted Choice® network, this process is simple.
Your Trusted Choice agent can discuss your pet health care insurance needs with you and recommend policies that will fit within your family's budget. Because these agents are not tied to any particular insurance company, they can shop around to find pet health insurance plans that are appropriate for you. Find a Trusted Choice agent near you to learn more and start comparing quotes on pet care health insurance.