The Benefits of Pet Health Insurance

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It goes without saying that your dog, cat, or other animal companions are not just pets, but family members and best friends! Pet owners will scour labels in order to find the healthiest food, and they’ll spend hours researching veterinary clinics to find the right one to deliver the quality care and treatment their pal deserves. Yet, according to the latest American Pet Products Association’s Pet Owners Survey, only 4% of dog owners and 1% of cat owners purchase a pet health insurance policy. We want you to keep in mind the benefits of pet insurance when you’re considering care and treatment for your furry loved one.

Just like a car crash or an unexpected fall, you never know when a pet medical emergency might strike. Choosing to purchase pet health insurance is a wise investment for the safety and well-being of your beloved family member. Unlike health insurance for humans, pet insurance allows you to obtain care from the veterinarian of your choosing, no matter the extent of your pet's health care needs. 

While it’s recommended that you obtain pet insurance as soon as your pet becomes part of your family, you can also insure your pet years later. When purchasing insurance for your pet make sure to read the policy carefully, as many companies place breed-specific conditions on their coverage or exclude pre-existing conditions. Some companies will exclude a condition that occurred the previous year even while your pet was covered by their plan. Look for policy language that talks about your pet's lifetime, not the insurance period. There are also significant differences when it comes to coverage of wellness care, so be sure to review what is included in each plan. Most pet insurance policies reimburse up to 80% of costs after deductible, and many pet health insurance premiums can be paid in installments. The majority of insurance plans offer discounts for additional pets in the household. There are currently a dozen or so companies offering pet health insurance. Embrace, Nationwide, and Trupanion are the pet insurance industry leaders.

We believe that pet health insurance is most valuable when unexpected medical problems occur. Responsible pet owners will budget for their pet's annual wellness care, but an emergency can easily incur thousands of dollars in medical bills at a 24-hour facility. Pet health insurance will deliver the emotional peace of mind so that finances never dictate the decision between life and death for your pet in a medical emergency. 

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