Pet Insurance: Do You Need it?

Your pet has cancer and is going to require extensive treatments if he is going to survive. You love your pet and you want to be able to care for it regardless of the cost. You don't want to have to choose between your pet's well-being and what you can afford. What should you do? One option that many people choose today is pet insurance. Just like medical insurance for humans, pet insurance can be a blessing during a medical crisis.

Pet insurance differs just like human medical insurance. You can purchase different plans for varying amounts depending on what type of coverage you would like to have for your pet or what you think your pet might need according to your pet's needs. Most basic pet insurance plans tend to include:

Accidents & illnesses
MRI, CAT scans & x-rays
Surgeries
Cancer treatments
Prescription medication
Hospitalization

Basic plans such as the one above generally start around $23 per year for cats and $30 per year for dogs with a maximum benefit of up to $11,000 per year and a $3,500 cap per incident limit.

The premium plans usually include everything that was mentioned above for the basic plan plus:

Vaccinations
Heartworm protection
Annual exam
Prescription flea control
Spay & neuter

The premium plans start at around $67 per year for cats and $77 per year for dogs with a maximum benefit of $11,000 per year and a $2,500 cap per incident limit.

Some pet insurance companies also have coverage for accidents only so you may want to take this option into consideration. Accidents include such things as poison ingestion, lacerations, bone fractures, burns, insect bites & bee stings, falls and motor vehicle accidents. These plans generally cost around $7 per year for cats and $9 per year for dogs.

Of course, no insurance would be complete without a list of what they won't cover. The general list of what isn't covered by pet insurance is:

Congenital or hereditary defects
Elective procedures
Conditions related to breeding
Diseases preventable by vaccines
Orthodontics
Special diets, foods,
Boarding or transporting expenses
Grooming costs

The value of pet insurance is only as valuable as it is to you and your pet. There are many reputable pet insurance companies to choose from and many of them will give you a "quick quote" from the company via e-mail. Check out each company and compare the benefits that each offer. Then, make a well-informed decision as to what is best for you and the care of your pet.