Almost 75% of dogs and cats will become sick or injured in their lives and nearly 40% will become seriously sick or injured. – American Veterinary Medical Association 2012
If the family pet needed surgery tomorrow, could you cover medical costs totaling into the thousands? For those of us that are pet parents, it can be quite the financial burden when one of our beloved fur babies suddenly falls ill or becomes injured. The costs from unexpected emergency procedures can add up quickly and leave you scrambling to pay for the health and well being of your pet. So should you get pet insurance?
Even basic medical care for a pet’s common illness can add up to thousands of dollars. Is pet insurance worth purchasing to help cover unexpected costs? And how do you know which one will truly help you save money in the long run.
Routine Care is Not Usually Covered
For most pet owners, routine vet appointments, vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures are expected. After all, if you can’t handle routine wellness visits maybe you shouldn’t be a pet owner, and most pet insurance companies do not cover these types of appointments or office visit fees.
Some do offer minimal coverage for routine care such as Pets Best, but it does come at an additional fee, and it depends on the coverage available for your specific pet. However, it typically is the unexpected visits that can cost the most and put a strain on your budget.
Not All Illnesses Are Equal
When it comes to the illnesses that cost pet owners the most, not all pet insurance policies will provide coverage for just any illness. Policies exclude any pre-existing conditions including those that may have started during any waiting periods before the policy was in place (usually about 2 weeks).
Companies such as ASPCA and Pets Best have restrictions on hereditary and congenital conditions, which leaves pet owners to cover the costs of treatments on their own. Pets Best also has limits on the injuries and illnesses it will cover. All three of these companies have limited alternative care options in the event that regular treatments won’t work for your pet.
When you dig deep into many of the policies, it is important to have an idea of what you want and need for your pet. Many times major complications from illnesses can be avoided with routine vet visits. Yet, if your pet develops a chronic condition such as frequent ear infections or a dietary issue, will you be able to pay for frequent visits to the vet and the medications that may come along?
Be sure to read the fine print and understand what each policy constitutes as “pre-existing” and how hereditary, congenital or chronic conditions will be handled.
Will you be allowed to go to the same vet?
Before you buy a policy do your homework and compare each carrier. You don’t want to pay for a policy that won’t help you in the long run.
Protect Yourself From the Unexpected
We spend so much time worrying about things that usually don’t end up happening, but will you be prepared if something bad does occur? Can you afford emergency surgery? Do you have the money to cover long term medications, treatments and potential therapy if your pet is injured?
While we don’t want to think about the things that could happen to our pets, it is still important to be prepared. A simple monthly payment could save you thousands in the event of an accident or major injury. You have to ask yourself if you are willing to take the chance or if you want peace of mind with an insurance plan.
Is Healthy Paws the Right Insurance Carrier For You?
Of all the pet insurance companies, Healthy Paws has an A+ rating because it offers some of the best coverage with an affordable monthly premium.
Probably one of the biggest attractions to the Healthy Paws policies is the unlimited lifetime benefits with an annual deductible. They are the only company to provide this.
Just enter some basic info to get a quick online quote, and you can purchase a policy with three easy steps.
Everything is covered from illness to injury (as long as it is not a pre-existing condition), and there are no caps on claims.
When you get a pet insurance quote, Healthy Paws also provides a donation to a homeless pet’s medical care through their Healthy Paws Foundation’s Every Quote Gives Hope™ program. Just a simple quote helps other animals in need.
Their policies cover a variety of medical needs for your pet to help you avoid large out-of-pocket expenses including coverage on:
- Lifetime coverage for dogs and cats. Enroll between 8 weeks and before 14 years old.
- Visit any licensed veterinarian. No networks!
- Illnesses
- Accidents
- Hereditary Conditions
- Chronic Conditions
- Cancer Diagnostic
- Treatment
- X-Rays
- Blood Tests
- Ultrasounds
- Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Prescription Medications
- Emergency Care
- Specialty Care
- Alternative Treatments
- Use the easy mobile app to submit claims and access your account information.
Healthy Paws also offers comparison charts against top competitors to see how their policies differ. They provide simple, easy to understand policy guidelines to help you decide if they can offer you the coverage your pet needs. You can also earn a $25 credit when you refer a friends!
Forego Insurance and Save For a Rainy Day
If a monthly payment is out of the question, but you still want to be protected in case your pet has unexpected medical costs, consider starting a savings account for them. Set aside money at your own pace as a back up for your pet’s medical costs. That money is 100% your own and can be used on whatever your pet may need without the hassle of claims or policy guidelines. If you’re lucky enough to never need it, then you have yourself a nice little chunk of cash to invest in yourself or your kids instead!
Keep those fur babies happy and healthy. After all, they are part of the family.