Dog Insurance: Yes, you need it

Title: Dog Insurance: Yes, you need it
Author: Paul Easton

Dog Insurance: Yes, you need it
Although pet insurance has been available for approximately
20 years, many pet owners have never used it and are
surprised that such a thing would even exist. After all,
insurance is for people, right?

Well, if you have ever had to use your savings account in
order to pay for a pet's surgery or if you have ever had to
put a beloved pet to sleep because you couldn't afford
medical care, then you know the usefulness of pet insurance.

As is the case with most other health-related expenses, the
costs associated with an average pet's medical care are
rising all the time. If you have multiple pets, the cost of
even the most basic care can be financially painful. When
deciding whether or not to buy a health insurance policy
for your pet, you have to ask yourself a few questions.

1. Do you consider your pet to be part of the family?
2. Would you be unable to pay for (possibly thousands of
dollars in medical bills if your pet develops cancer or
needs long-term medical care?
3. Would it absolutely break your family's heart to have to
euthanize your pet because you didn't plan ahead for
potential health crises?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then
you'll want to seriously consider purchasing an insurance
policy for your pet.

What Kind of Pet Insurance Is Available?

Pet insurance is now available through a multitude of
specific companies; and, just as with your average health
insurance plan, the higher the premium, the greater the
range of benefits you and your pet receive.

The average plan is from $20 per month and has either no
annual benefit limit at all or a limit of approximately
$15,000. Many plans offer discounts for multiple pets. Your
deductible will be determined by the plan you choose, but
the average is approximately $100 per year.

Since the majority of the medical expenses generated by a
pet are related to routine procedures, look for a plan that
covers vaccinations, neutering and spaying, annual
check-ups and dental care. You want your pet to be
protected in case he develops a serious illness or injury,
but these lower-budget procedures can also put a big dent
in your bank account. Make sure you're pet is covered!

What Sort of Restrictions Are There?

You may be willing to pay for your pet's health insurance,
but that doesn't mean an insurance company will
automatically cover him. If your pet is over a certain age,
he may be denied coverage. Even if you find insurance for
your pet, there are always certain coverage limits and
restrictions. Most policies won't cover the treatment of
pre-existing conditions or genetic defects. Sometimes
cancer is also excluded from coverage (although many
companies will add cancer care to the coverage for an
additional cost).

Be aware of any waiting periods that are written into your
pet's policy. The waiting period will determine when your
pet's coverage actually begins – waiting periods can last
anywhere from two weeks to six months. Once your plan takes
effect, you may have to choose a veterinarian from a list
of approved providers.

If your uninsured dog needs emergency medical care and you
have no funds available, ask your vet if their clinic
offers any sort of emergency funding. Sometimes
veterinarians will set aside funds for pets whose owners
cannot afford care, especially if the treatment does not
involve long-term care and multiple visits.

If there are no such funds set aside, you may be able to
finance the fees. A final option (and definitely a
long-shot) is the humane society or non-profit pet support
group that offers financial aid. You have to apply for
their limited funds and few applicants actually receive
enough money to pay all of their pet's medical bills.
Insurance is really the only way to make sure that your pet
can receive costly medical care if he needs it.

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