Should You Get Health Insurance for Your Dog?

You would never consider going without health insurance for your family but what about your dog?

Although many people think it is an unnecessary expense, health insurance for your pet could actually save you money and spare you from making a tough decision between the life of your dog and paying the bills, should a serious health issue arise.

Just like everything else today, Veterinary costs have skyrocketed. When you do not have insurance, you must pay for every visit, whether they are routine or an emergency. This could run into thousands of dollars, so why not get some help?

Just like personal health insurance, health insurance for your dog has annual premiums and, of course, a deductible. The premium price depends on the dog breed and type of policy. If you have more than one pet, you can usually get a discount on each one.

As with the premium, the deductibles vary. Typically it is around $100 a year. There are many policies to choose from, which are based on your dog’s age, breed, lifestyle and pre-existing conditions.

There is a dog health plan to please almost everyone. Some plans cover just about everything, from annual checkups to vaccinations, spaying, neutering and any medications as well as any sickness and, of course, accidents. These policies will be the most costly.

If you can handle the yearly costs of a healthy dog and just want something in case your dog becomes injured or sick, you can get a policy that will cover just these occasions.

Getting a new health insurance policy for your dog is similar to getting one for yourself. Emergency coverage begins as soon as you sign up with your first payment and there is a 30 day waiting period for illness and other routine claims.

When considering health insurance for your dog, be aware that his age will affect the coverage. Most policies cover the dog starting at six weeks of age. On the other hand, you may not be able to get initial coverage for your dog if she is more than eight years old. Once your dog is covered, however, she will be able to retain coverage past eight years of age.

Getting health insurance for your dog should be a serious consideration for any pet owner. Think of it as the normal expense for having your pet. It's well worth it and it will set your mind at ease to know that should your dog need expensive medical treatment to save his life - you will be covered.

Until next time,

Teia