Pet Health Insurance Offsets Veterinary Costs

If you have a pet, you know how expensive it can be to provide quality veterinary care. In fact, it's sad but true: Many people have opted to euthanize their animals because they just couldn't afford the steep costs of veterinary care. However, take comfort in this: you can give your beloved dogs and cats the care they deserve at a cost that's under control. How? Pet health insurance.

 

Pet health insurance is still relatively uncommon in the U.S., but it's widely used in Europe (where some 40 percent of all house pets are covered). You can pick a plan that's based on the kind of coverage you want provided. Some policies, for instance, cover virtually any possible illness, even cancer. Other policies cover general wellness, including vaccines, neutering, dental care, and regular check-ups.

Just like human insurance, you'll be responsible for a deductible. Once that's done, a percentage of the veterinarian's fees are refunded to you.

 

Depending upon the features, benefits and extent of coverage that you want, your pet health insurance policy can cost anywhere from $90 a year to $500 or more. And if you have more than one pet in your household, relax, many plans offer multiple pet discounts.

Your own veterinarian is a great starting point in your investigation of possibilities in pet health insurance. Ask for a list of insurance carriers who offer pet insurance. And ask your vet for details on the kind of pet insurance plan that's right for your pet. Then, when you start contacting insurance companies directly, be sure to find out whether they're allowed, by law, to conduct business in your state. Also, ask them if they compensate for services provided by the veterinarian of your choice or if you must use one that they (the insurance company) recommend.

Today, veterinary medicine, like its counterpart for humans, is making vast strides. Routine services can include cancer treatment, pacemakers, organ transplants, MRI, CAT scans (for dogs as well as cats!) and even joint replacements! Now, thanks to pet health insurance, all kinds of quality treatments can be more affordable than you'd expect.