Once you adopt an animal, you’ll probably hear about pet insurance. Most adoption centers will give you information on pet insurance when you adopt. Don’t throw this information away. Pet insurance is vital.
You may question whether or not pet insurance is necessary, but we’re here to tell you that it is. Here are five reasons why you should invest in pet insurance for your furry family.
Pick Whatever Veterinarian You Want
Unlike health insurance for people, pet insurance works at whatever veterinarian’s office you want. Instead of your insurance coverage costs upfront, they’ll repay you for whatever costs (to a limit) you have to pay when you go into the vet’s office.
Because of that, you’re able to go to whatever office you like the most with absolutely no restrictions. While this varies based on insurance, it’s generally the truth of most companies.
No Discrimination
Some pet insurance companies discriminate against certain ages and breeds, but you should avoid those. Most high-quality pet insurance companies won’t discriminate against any of your pets because of how old they are or their breed.
Unfortunately, if you have an older pet with pre-existing conditions, some pet insurance companies won’t cover costs for those conditions. That’s why it’s so essential to start insurance coverage early so that those costs will be covered throughout their lives.
Peace of Mind
Pet insurance will also allow you to have peace of mind when it comes to your pets. You won’t have to worry about unexpected bills that are too high or even exam costs on some plans. If you can’t take your pet to the vet because you’re worried you won’t be able to afford it, pet insurance is the right step for you to take.
Most insurance policies will reimburse you for up to 80% of the costs that you pay to the vet. You can get plans that cover exams, vaccinations, checkups, accidents, and illnesses. All plans are made differently, so make sure to do your research before selecting one.
With pet insurance, you’ll be comfortable knowing that you can always take your beloved pet to the vet, even when you might not be able to afford it out of pocket.
Allows for Better Budgeting
You can pay your pet insurance policy monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. These options allow you to best budget your money throughout the year. An insurance plan lets you take the money that you would spend yearly on pet costs and divide it across multiple months, saving you money in the long run.
You won’t have to struggle to pay bills you can’t afford with these great budgeting options. Different plans offer different payment plans and options to fit your budget best. Some plans even offer a discount for multiple pets.
Save Your Money
If you’re still questioning whether or not pet insurance is worth it, think about how much money you’ll save overall. Here are some costs of procedures your pets may need throughout their lives:
- Spay or neuter: $100 – $300
- Dental extractions: $285
- Tumor removal: $500 – $1,000
- Cataracts removal: $1,500 – $3,000
- Glaucoma surgery and medication: $6,000
- Hernia repair: $250 – $1,000
- Foreign object ingestion: $900 – $3,000
Your pet may require multiple procedures throughout its lifetime, all ranging in costs. Over the lifetime of your pet, you could pay thousands of dollars without having pet insurance.
If you choose to purchase pet insurance, you can save yourself the headache of having to pay for these high-cost procedures out of pocket. For example, if your plan repays you 80% of costs, you could save $2,400 on a $3,000 surgical procedure and much more on smaller, more frequent costs.