Our pets are like our children and at times better. They miss us soon as we leave for work and they great us with love and open arms when we come back home. They know when we are down or if we are happy. So should we purchase them health insurance like we do with our own children?
The simple answer is yes. You definitely should purchase health insurance for your pet in case of an emergency. However, we are still going to go over what you should consider when purchasing it as it might still not be the best idea in some scenarios.
Can You Insurance Any Pet?
There are many insurance companies that you can choose from. Some might specialize in a particular group of pets while others can insurance any pet. An insurance company also has a right to deny coverage for certain reasons. The normally look at your pets age, current health and other items to determine coverage availability and premium.
Should You Insurance Any Pet?
We would recommend health insurance once you have determined the premium cost compared to treatment costs. For example, an exotic fish can be covered under pet insurance. With fish certain conditions can be brought on by diet, water conditions and habitat changes which can be addressed easily and might not need medical attention. And even when medical attention is needed, the overall cost might end up being much less compared to the premium.
However, it is always better to have coverage than be sorry, but we leave this up to each individual and their case.
How Much Will Pet Insurance Cost?
Monthly pet insurance premiums can varry based on pet type, age, gender, location, pre-exisitng health conditions and even breed. You can expect to pay anywhere from $10 and at times as high as $100 a month. Average premiums can be $35 to $55 a month for most.
How Much Will You Pay Without Insurance?
A study was done by Nationwide Insurance in 2019 showing the top reasons we take our pets to a vet. Skin Allergies was number one for dogs. It can cost $195 to $250 for skin testing and $200 to $300 for blood testing if you take your dog in for skin allergies. Veterinarypracticenews.com showed that Dental Disease in cats can cost $300 to at most $1,300 for treatment.
| Dogs | Cats |
| 1. Skin Allergies | 1. Bladder/Urinary Tract Disease |
| 2. Ear Infection | 2. Dental Disease |
| 3. Non-cancerous Skin Mass | 3. Chronic Kidney Disease |
| 4. Diarrhea/Intestinal Upset | 4. Vomiting/Upset Stomach |
| 5. Skin Infection | 5. Diarrhea/Intestinal Upset |
| 6. Vomiting/Upset Stomach | 6. Excessive Thyroid Hormone |
| 7. Arthritis | 7. Upper Respiratory Infection |
| 8. Dental Disease | 8. Skin Allergies |
| 9. Anal Gland Inflammation | 9. Diabetes |
| 10. Bladder Urinary Tract Disease | 10. Heart Valve Malfunction |
Should You Get Insurance for Your Pet?
Treatment for your pet can become expensive. From regular visits for ensuring your pet stays healthy to unplanned health issues, a visit can become expensive. A small percentage of us might be very capable of paying for the fees but for most of us out there, it can cost a lot of money. While the cost is not comparable to the health of our loved one, we still want to make sure it doesn’t hurt the piggy bank. For a small monthly fee you can ensure your pet stays healthy and you can easily pay for the level of care they need.
