In this day and age nothing is certain; therefore we plan ahead for unexpected occurrences through the use of insurance policies. There are many types of insurance policies available: life, home, vehicle, health, burial, flood, earthquake and also pet insurance. Some people believe that pet insurance is not a necessity; others would never be without it. Let's explore the facts about pet insurance to see if insuring your dog would be worthwhile.
What Does It Cover?
There are many companies available that insure animals and all would love to have you for a customer. Finding out the specifics on what the different polices cover is very important. You need to consider if any of the procedures or treatments are something you would use on a regular basis and also look closely at the cancer coverage. Some companies do not allow pre-existing conditions.
Most plans cover the following: accidental injuries, emergencies and illnesses. Some pay for: surgeries, lab tests, prescriptions, hospitalization, vaccinations, dental, spay/neuter and heart-worm. Depending on the company you choose, deductibles typically start at one-hundred dollars and go up to one thousand dollars and benefits renew annually. With some companies you can pay more each month and not have a deductible.
What Does It Cost?
The cost of insuring your dog is dependent on the age of your dog, the breed of your dog and where you live. A policy for an older pet will cost more as the odds of the dog having health issues increases with age. Your dogs breed plays a role as certain types of dogs experience certain health issues more often than others. German Shepherds, Rottweiler's and Golden Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia while Boxers, Doberman's and Irish Setters frequently experience stomach bloat. These breeds may cost more to insure. Where you live is an important factor as the cost of living varies from state to state. In New York City for example, your vet bill will be more expensive than it would be if you lived in Dubuque Iowa.
Is It Worth It?
Some people argue that for the cost of insuring their dog they could take one dollar per day and put it into a savings account and that over time they would be money ahead. Others claim that one medical emergency could cost seven-thousand dollars or more and if a person hadn't been saving for years than they wouldn't be able to pay the bill. Some people who don't plan ahead and don't insure their dog are often faced with having to make a life or death decision for their dog based on finances when unexpected accidents, injuries or illnesses occur.
