5 Really Good Reasons to Buy Pet Insurance

Pet owners already know how much they cherish their furry friends. But few pet owners know about one of the most important things we can do for the little tail wagers: pet insurance.

We humans embrace dogs, cats and other companion animals as full-fledged family members. We read the fine print on pet food labels to pick healthy choices, scour the pet supply store for just the right bed and delight in treating them to oodles of toys.

I recently found an article in NEA Member Benefits that provides 5 solid reasons to be true health allies for our pets.

Yet, according to the latest American Pet Products Association’s Pet Owners Survey, only 4% of dog owners and 1% of cat owners carry pet insurance policies.

We deeply love our pets and spend billions on their care, yet we have been slow to embrace the concept of pet insurance.

What do you do when a pet medical emergency strikes? Are you financially prepared for a $7,000 pet emergency bill?

Here are the 5 reasons why buying pet insurance is a smart move:

• Allows you to pick your veterinarian. Unlike human health insurance policies that may require you to use a specific health care provider, pet insurance policies allow you to obtain care from the veterinarian of your choosing. You simply provide the veterinary bill to the insurance company for reimbursement of qualified expenses.
• Does not discriminate against any breed or age of pet. While it is advisable to obtain pet insurance as soon as you adopt your pet to obtain lower premiums, you can also insure your pet years later.
• Delivers peace of mind. Having pet insurance allows you to choose treatments for your ailing or injured pet based on the best medical option available and not restricted based on family finances. Most pet insurance policies reimburse up to 80% of costs after deductibles.
• Provides an easy way to budget pet care costs. Pet insurance policies can be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. You decide which payment plan works best for you. Most plans offer discounts for additional pets in the household.
• Prevents dipping into the family’s emergency fund. True, you can set up a pet savings account, but it can be tough to discipline one’s self from dipping into this designated account when you face pricey car repairs, household renovations or other major unexpected expenses.

And, most important, pet insurance coverage could save – and extend – the life of your pet by enabling you to authorize the medical treatment your pet needs should he develop cancer or require surgery, as was the case with Cooper.

Our pets deserve to be happy, healthy and home! If you have questions, or would like to discuss pet insurance options, as well as your personal insurance needs, feel free to email me at aromo@vanbeurden.com.