Pet insurance is still a relatively new concept for many pet owners. There are various plans and policies available through multiple companies, so it can be overwhelming when deciding what the right company and policy is for you and your pet. Despite the initial work of choosing the ideal plan for your situation, the vast majority of our clients who carry pet insurance report that they’re very glad they have it.
It’s impossible to predict when, how, or to what severity your pet will get sick or how much it will cost. Pet insurance prevents you from having to take on lasting debt or forgo veterinary care. We want your pet to be as happy and healthy as possible and believe that removing financial barriers from important pet care decisions is a key step toward this goal.
Pet insurance ensures your pet will always receive the care they need and difficult decisions won’t have to be made for economic reasons. The only way your vet benefits from pet insurance is that they get to practice the highest quality medicine and focus on patient care rather than finances.
Pet Insurance FAQ
Why should I have pet insurance?
Aside from the financial benefits, pet insurance can also protect your dog or cat from missing out on the care they need. Insurance allows for more opportunities to diagnose illnesses and obtain treatment – even expensive treatments like surgeries and cancer care. Like most insurance, pet insurance gives you peace of mind as a pet owner.
Who should consider pet insurance?
Everyone should consider pet insurance. Even if you believe you have enough money to cover veterinary costs, pet insurance could still save you thousands of dollars if your pet gets sick or injured. Especially if you have multiple pets, your out-of-pocket costs could add up considerably without insurance.
When is the best time to get pet insurance?
Your pet’s age, location, and breed will all influence the cost of your pet’s insurance. For example, dogs tend to cost a little more than cats and elderly pets are more likely to require care that will cost more than a young, healthy pet. We highly recommend pet insurance to all pet owners with puppies, kittens, and young, healthy pets.
What does pet insurance cost?
Pet insurance premiums are generally low. Some companies offer plans as low as $20 a month or less. Premiums vary widely based on what coverage you select and the animal being insured. Plans with low monthly premiums may not offer as much coverage but are affordable in the short term. Plans with a higher monthly premium usually offer more coverage and reimburse you for more expenses, meaning you’ll pay significantly less when emergency treatments are necessary. As of 2019, across 14 of the top pet insurance companies, the average monthly premium for dog insurance is $47.19. The average monthly premium for cat insurance is $29.54. If you’re buying an insurance plan with decent coverage for a young and healthy pet, you’ll likely pay less than $100 per month in premiums.
Does every vet take pet insurance?
Yes. Pet insurance works a lot like auto insurance in that you pay your vet for services as normal and then your pet insurance will reimburse you for covered costs after you submit a claim. The good news is companies like Trupanion are revolutionizing the pet insurance industry by offering Vet Direct Pay. With the Vet Direct Pay program, insurance can pay the hospital directly in minutes, leaving a pet owner with just their portion of the bill at checkout. There are no upfront payments for the full bill, no claim forms to fill out, and no waiting for reimbursement checks.
What pet insurance do you recommend?
As we said before, the only way your vet benefits from pet insurance is that they get to practice the highest quality medicine and focus on patient care rather than finances. There are many pet insurance plans and policies out there and you should research what is best for you and your pet. Most pet insurance companies work on a reimbursement model, and we know that this may not be feasible for some of our clients. For this reason, we recommend looking into Trupanion and their Vet Direct Pay program. With Vet Direct Pay, pet owners don’t have to assume the responsibility for the full medical bill and wait weeks for reimbursement. Only you can know what pet insurance is best for your pet and your situation, so we recommend looking into all different plans and policies from a variety of companies.
We want your pet to be as happy and healthy as possible, and we believe that removing financial barriers from important pet care decisions is a key step toward this goal. Pet insurance ensures your pet will always receive the care they need and difficult decisions won’t have to be made for economic reasons. We’ve provided additional links at the bottom of this page where you can find out more about Trupanion’s Vet Direct Pay program. If you have any additional questions about pet insurance that we can help with, feel free to call us at 540-776-0700 or send us an e-mail to [email protected].