| Although pet insurance has been available for | | | | multitude of specific companies; and, just as |
| approximately 20 years, many pet owners have | | | | with your average health insurance plan, the |
| never used it and are surprised that such a | | | | higher the premium, the greater the range of |
| thing would even exist. After all, insurance | | | | benefits you and your pet receive. |
| is for people, right? | | | | |
| | | | The average plan is from $20 per month and |
| Well, if you have ever had to use your | | | | has either no annual benefit limit at all or |
| savings account in order to pay for a pet's | | | | a limit of approximately $15,000. Many plans |
| surgery or if you have ever had to put a | | | | offer discounts for multiple pets. Your |
| beloved pet to sleep because you couldn't | | | | deductible will be determined by the plan you |
| afford medical care, then you know the | | | | choose, but the average is approximately $100 |
| usefulness of pet insurance. | | | | per year. |
| | | | |
| As is the case with most other health-related | | | | Since the majority of the medical expenses |
| expenses, the costs associated with an | | | | generated by a pet are related to routine |
| average pet's medical care are rising all the | | | | procedures, look for a plan that covers |
| time. If you have multiple pets, the cost of | | | | vaccinations, neutering and spaying, annual |
| even the most basic care can be financially | | | | check-ups and dental care. You want your pet |
| painful. When deciding whether or not to buy | | | | to be protected in case he develops a serious |
| a health insurance policy for your pet, you | | | | illness or injury, but these lower-budget |
| have to ask yourself a few questions. | | | | procedures can also put a big dent in your |
| | | | bank account. Make sure you're pet is |
| 1. Do you consider your pet to be part of the | | | | covered! |
| family? | | | | |
| | | | What Sort of Restrictions Are There? |
| 2. Would you be unable to pay for (possibly | | | | |
| thousands of dollars in medical bills if your | | | | You may be willing to pay for your pet's |
| pet develops cancer or needs long-term | | | | health insurance, but that doesn't mean an |
| medical care? | | | | insurance company will automatically cover |
| | | | him. If your pet is over a certain age, he |
| 3. Would it absolutely break your family's | | | | may be denied coverage. Even if you find |
| heart to have to euthanize your pet because | | | | insurance for your pet, there are always |
| you didn't plan ahead for potential health | | | | certain coverage limits and restrictions. |
| crises? | | | | Most policies won't cover the treatment of |
| | | | pre-existing conditions or genetic defects. |
| If you answered "yes" to any of these | | | | Sometimes cancer is also excluded from |
| questions, then you'll want to seriously | | | | coverage (although many companies will add |
| consider purchasing an insurance policy for | | | | cancer care to the coverage for an additional |
| your pet. | | | | cost). |
| | | | |
| What Kind of Pet Insurance Is Available? | | | | Be aware of any waiting periods that are |
| | | | written into your pet's policy. |
| Pet insurance is now available through a | | | | |