Being a pet parent means your everyday life consists of caring for the well-being of your furry family member. And you probably already know that pets often have just as many needs as children.
Although pets rarely grow to a point where they reach independence, pet parents are tasked with caring for their pets for the duration of their lives.
There’s no doubt you want the best for your four-legged family member. So, if you’re wondering if pet health insurance is worth it, we’ve listed some reasons why this insurance policy is essential.
Cover The High Costs 0f Vet Visits
First-time pet parents are typically shocked by the cost of a single vet visit; you can expect to pay just as much for your pet’s healthcare needs as you do for your own.
Your pet will also need routine checkups, essential vaccinations, and potential treatment for illnesses and ailments. With this, pet insurance can prevent the high costs of vet visits from throwing your budget off. The last thing you want is to be in a position where you can’t afford to pay for your pet’s health care.
Animals Can Get Sick
If you think dogs and cats only need vaccinations and a visit to the vet for neutering, you’re sorely mistaken. Your fur baby can get sick just like a human. You’ll need to be prepared for upset tummies, diarrhea, vomiting, and a few other cases of illness.
With pet insurance, you won’t need to worry about your pet falling ill because the insurance policy ensures you can always afford a trip to the vet. This is extremely important because, as a pet parent, you never want to have to choose between your pet’s health and your finances.
If you’re not prepared for the costs of an emergency vet visit, you might find yourself in a difficult situation.
Financial Protection for Injuries and Accidents
Upset tummies and other illnesses are not the only health concern for pet parents; your pet is also prone to accidental injuries.
Injuries and infections due to injuries can cost a fortune to treat. But with pet insurance, you won’t need to attempt DIY home remedies for a festering infection after your kitten decides to take on an alley cat or your puppy takes a tumble down the stairs. It also covers the costs of X-rays and other diagnostic tests that might be required to properly treat your pet.
In the event of an accident, you’ll be able to focus on your pet’s recovery without the added stress of financial burden.
It’s Affordable
Just like many other insurance policies, pet insurance is typically pretty affordable. You’ll only spend a couple of dollars on each pet per month to access policy benefits.
More often than not, policy benefits include unlimited vet visits, vaccinations, surgeries, hospitalization, allergies, and illnesses, and in some cases, pet insurance also provides cover for pet sitters.
You can also tailor your policy to fit your budget and your pet’s needs. For example, if you have an older pet, you might not need to insure them for accidents because they’re less likely to have them.
It’s the Responsible Thing to Do
As a pet parent, you need to be prepared for all the costs that come along with caring for a pet. With this, it’s not wise to own a pet if you do not have the means to afford potential vet bills.
Instead of hoping your pet won’t fall ill and being surprised by sudden healthcare needs, it’s wise to purchase pet health insurance and enjoy the absolute peace of mind this policy has to offer pet parents.
It’s Easy To Use
When your pet is sick or injured, the last thing you want to deal with is filling out complicated paperwork or waiting for days on end for a claim to be processed.
Luckily, pet insurance is pretty straightforward to use. In most cases, you can simply take your pet to any licensed vet and the insurance company will reimburse you for a percentage of the vet bill.
Some pet insurance companies will also have a network of vets that you can use to get the best possible rate. This can be extremely helpful, especially if you’re on a budget.
That said, when it comes to choosing the right policy, evaluate different insurers and opt for a policy that provides enough cover while also suiting your budget. All pet insurance policies are not the same, so it’s essential to compare available options.
But how do you find the right pet insurance?
Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for pet insurance:
1. Make sure the company you’re considering is reputable and has a good financial rating.
This is important because you want to make sure the company will be able to pay out claims in a timely manner. If you are not sure where to start, you can check out reviews online or ask your friends and family for recommendations.
2. Make sure the policy covers everything you need.
Some policies only cover accidents while others only cover illnesses. Some policies cover both. Make sure you understand what your policy covers so you can be prepared in the event your pet needs medical attention.
3. Make sure the policy has an affordable monthly premium.
You don’t want to overspend on your pet insurance, so make sure the policy you choose has a monthly premium that you’re comfortable with.
4. Make sure the policy has a good deductible.
A deductible is a money you have to pay before your insurance policy starts. You want to make sure the deductible is something you can afford in the event your pet needs medical attention.
5. Make sure the policy has a good maximum payout limit.
This is the maximum amount of money your pet insurance policy will pay out in the event your pet needs medical attention. You want to make sure the maximum payout limit is something you’re comfortable with.
6. Make sure the policy has a good waiting period.
A waiting period is the amount of time you have to wait before your pet insurance policy kicks in. You want to make sure the waiting period is something you’re comfortable with.
7. Make sure the policy has a good exclusion list.
An exclusion list is a list of things that are not covered by your pet insurance policy. You want to make sure the exclusion list is something you’re comfortable with.
8. Make sure the policy has a good claims process.
You want to make sure the claims process is something you’re comfortable with. You don’t want to have to jump through hoops just to get your pet the medical attention they need.
9. Make sure the policy has a good customer service team.
Having a good customer service team is important because you want to be able to get help when you need it. You don’t want to have to wait on hold for hours just to get a simple question answered.
10. Make sure the policy has a good refund policy.
You want to make sure the refund policy is something you’re comfortable with. You don’t want to be stuck with a policy you’re not happy with.
Pet insurance is an important investment for all pet parents. It’s a way to ensure you can always afford to give your pet the best possible care.
