Is Pet Insurance Worthwhile?

Have you made plans for your pet’s healthcare? All it takes is one accident for you to end up with thousands of dollars in veterinary bills, or the heart wrenching decision of whether or not you can afford to get care for your pet. One way to avoid this struggle is with pet insurance, but many pet owners don’t understand what their options are. Here’s what you need to know about pet insurance, how it works and whether it’s worth it.

What Is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance is insurance for your pet that’s similar to your health insurance. Just like your health insurance, your policy will have deductibles, co-pays, maximum payouts, and pre-existing condition exemptions. If your pet is sick or injured, you will be able to get help paying for the problem after these out-of-pocket expenses are covered.

Most pet insurance policies are slightly different than medical insurance in that they reimburse the pet owner for the costs, rather than paying the veterinarian directly. With this setup, you pay the vet’s bill yourself, then get reimbursed from your insurance provider.

Benefits of Pet Insurance

Imagine a scenario where your otherwise healthy pet jumps off of the couch and breaks his leg. You take him to the vet, only to find that he needs surgery to properly repair the leg. You are looking at several thousands of dollars of veterinary care. Can you afford it?

Pet insurance gives you peace of mind, knowing that you can get the best possible care for your pet, without worry for how much it will cost. With pet insurance, you will not face that heart wrenching decision of how much care you can afford for your pet.

Drawbacks of Pet Insurance

Like health insurance, pet insurance isn’t perfect. Your policy will have a maximum payout, and if you that payout is too low, you may still end up with a hefty vet bill. Second, you always have the reality that you may not need the insurance. This means that over your pet’s lifetime, you will pay out hundreds of dollars, with no benefit. There’s just no way to know whether your pet will need the policy until it’s too late to get it. Also keep in mind that almost all pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions.

Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?

If your pet has a serious illness or accident, pet insurance is definitely worthwhile. If your pet leads a normal, healthy life, without a serious event, then you could pay thousands in premiums for a policy that you never use. That’s the risk you take with insurance.

However, even with an event, you still need to carefully consider the cost. Each insurance provider has a different payment structure with a combination of co-pays, deductibles, and premiums. It’s possible to invest in pet insurance that ends up being more costly, even with a medical event, than the costs you would have faced without coverage. Before you buy, carefully read all of the details of the policy, and consider crunching the numbers to see what you would pay and save with a $5,000 veterinary bill.

In the end, you must decide if peace of mind is worthwhile for you. If it is, then shop for a policy that will provide it for you. Always read the policies carefully to determine if the savings are worth the cost. In the end, you’re taking measures to protect your pet’s health, and that is the most important thing any pet owner can do.

Further Reading

Is Pet Insurance Worth the Expense?

Contact

In addition to buying pet insurance or saving for medical needs, make sure you are planning for your pet’s comfort as well. Paradise Pet Resorts is here to provide grooming and boarding services whenever you need them. Learn more about our services by contacting Paradise Pet Resorts today!

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