Whether furry, feathered or flippers a-flapping, Americans continue to display close relationships with their pets .So, it’s not surprising that an increasing number of ‘pet parents’ are seeking sophisticated medical treatments for their animals through pet health insurance . It is therefore important that you insure your pet .
In the last few years, new advances in veterinary technology have improved the way vets diagnose, treat and manage pet injuries and illnesses, which has also led to spiralling costs. The cost of treating an ill or injured pet can soon add up, the average cost of surgery for a pet is $1,700.00 while a blood test will set you back $120.00 to $150.00 and an X-ray up to $350.00.
Step forward pet health insurance marketed to help defray rising veterinary expenses and avoid the dreaded ‘economic euthanasia’ – the necessity of putting a pet down because the owner can’t afford the costs.
Today in America sixty seven percent of households own a pet and more than 2.5 million pets are insured and rising.
We can’t foresee or prevent everything that might occur in our pet’s life. That’s why, when considering how does pet insurance work and what would you be getting from it, you should ask yourself the following three questions:
How much you’d be willing to pay if your pet has a serious emergency? How much could you realistically pay? And how much tolerance you have for risk?
If you wouldn’t be able to afford the costs of health treatment for your pet and you don’t want financial constraints to decide your pet’s fate, you seriously should consider insuring your pet.
The good news is as pet owners there is a lot of choice when it comes to insuring our animal companions, with so many companies in the market choosing the best pet insurance can be hard at times.
It is always worthwhile shopping around and pet insurance can cover all types of animals from your standard dog and cat policies to exotic pets such as iguanas and snakes; so whether it’s a great Dane or a guinea pig there’s a policy for all.
Pet insurance includes great packages with reimbursements of more than 80% of vet bills in helping to make sure your pets live a long, happy and prosperous life.
In view of this, here are 5 reasons why insuring your pet is a must:
Pet insurance protects pets
Pet insurance can help pet parents get the best care available for their injured or sick pets. When pets get injured or develop an illness pet insurance covers veterinary visits and treatments and includes reimbursement rates towards costs. Some providers can offer plans that cover routine and comprehensive care for your pets.
One out of three pets will require unexpected veterinary care each year, even if they have regular check-ups and wellness treatments. In fact, owners’ of pets that are less than one year old are 2.5 times more likely to submit a claim for an unexpected injury or illness.
Regular trips to the vet for your pet can also be covered through pet insurance, the more frequently your pet is under the care of a veterinarian, the healthier they’ll be, leading to longer, happier lives, especially as your pet ages.
You can customise your plan
Plans should always be tailored to fit your needs and budget, pet insurers can offer a wide variety of coverage options that range from accident coverage, cancer treatments, and even emergency care to better protect your pet.
Most providers will also allow you to set your annual limit, this is the total amount which can be reimbursed over a 12-month period, limits range from $5,000.00 to unlimited. By choosing a lower limit you will reduce the cost of your premium, whereas a higher limit allows you more financial budget throughout the year.
You can also choose your annual deductible amount which ranges from $100 to $500 and a reimbursement percentage which determines the amount you get back after meeting your deductible; reimbursement rates range from 70% up to 90%. With a lower percentage you pay a lower monthly premium, while a higher percentage means you get more cash back on all claims.
By customizing your plan to your pets required needs and your budget you know that your pet’s insurance is worth the cost.
A safety net for travel
If travelling abroad with your pet, pet insurance is a must for all eventualities. Unexpected expenses can be catered for which travelling with your pet brings, such as medical treatments, shots and lodgings for pets which are entering new environments.
If your pet becomes unwell while away pet insurance can cover trips to see a vet abroad and any required treatments, including emergency repatriation if you must return home early due to their illness or injury.
So, wherever your destination in the World pet insurance assures you that your pet is cared for.
Peace of mind
Pet insurance will cover all medical problems or injuries faced by your pet and eases all worries specifically in the case of an emergency.
This means no more sleepless nights for owners giving peace of mind in the knowledge that you have the best medical professionals on board providing the best treatments for all eventualities and you are no longer restricted by family finances.
Covers a lost or stolen pet
Several providers have plans which help cover the costs if your pet gets lost or is stolen, including advertising for a missing pet and can also cover placing a reward for their safe return. In such a situation some may also cover the use of pet trackers in trying to find the whereabouts of your pet if they go missing or are stolen.
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