JuicyTalk
Is pet insurance worth it? How much is pet insurance? Here’s everything to consider.
Choosing to obtain pet insurance is much like choosing the right home or school for your family. There are several factors to consider, and it’s a decision that only you, a loyal pet mom or dad, can make. ❤️
When pets need surgery, it can cost thousands of dollars out of pocket. With insurance, it’s about $35/month, and most of the time, that includes surgeries. No family should have to choose between saving a furry family member and paying their expenses.
How does pet insurance work?
Just like human medical insurance, you pay a small amount every month to get coverage for those big, unplanned vet bills. Whether you want an emergencies-only plan or one that covers routine care, there are plenty of options at various price points on the market.
What is pet insurance going to do for you and your pet? Let’s consider the benefits of pet health insurance…
Pet insurance will give you more peace of mind if your pet were to become ill or injured. With a plan in place, you’ll:
- Be able to select care from any licensed veterinarian in your area
- Get coverage for dogs, cats, birds, and even exotic pets
- Drastically minimize the budget hit from hefty vet bills
- Focus more on your pet’s health than the cost of their care
Did you know? Tractor Supply Company offers a PetVet Clinic with no office visit fees. Their clinics offer affordable and convenient preventative services from state-licensed veterinarians. No appointment is necessary.
What’s the typical pet insurance cost? Pet insurance plans are flexible to meet your individual needs.
For those who can’t afford expensive surgeries or treatments, sometimes putting your pet to sleep is the only option. That’s a painful decision. 💔 And it’s also pricey, with euthanization costing around $300. And since not all cities allow backyard burials, you might have to pay even more to cremate your pet.
Additionally, you’ll need to take your pet’s breed, especially dogs, into consideration. If you have a show dog, you’ll want to think about theft or life insurance coverage for your furry friend, whereas if you have a breed deemed “dangerous”, canine liability protection is another facet you’ll want to consider.
Get the most out of your pet insurance plan with these helpful tips:
- Pet insurance pre-existing conditions. If your pet already has a serious health problem, you might not be eligible for coverage with many plans. Some insurance providers also have age and breed limitations.
- Read the fine print. Many plans require you to pay the vet first and then be reimbursed; however, some may pay their portion of the cost directly to your vet on the same day of service.
- Do the math. Monthly premiums tend to average about $25 per month for cats and about $45 per month for dogs. If your pet is relatively healthy, an expensive plan might not save you money in the long run.
- Shop around. Save money on prescription medications by asking your vet to write you a prescription and then check your local pharmacies, most also carry pet medications. For example, Walmart’s online pet pharmacy is very affordable. Vets are often willing to price match, too!
- Check for discounts. Some employers offer pet insurance discounts that could help keep more money in your pocket. Many insurance providers also offer discounts for multiple pets, so you’ll likely save more when you insure your second furry friend. In fact, Embrace offers a 10% discount in most states when you insure more than one pet through their insurance policies.
- Open a pet savings account. Just like a health savings account, you’ll be able to conveniently manage your pet’s expenses in one place.
While we can’t always learn from other’s mistakes, it’s important to weigh your options and give pet insurance some solid consideration.
Our vet was our dog’s lifesaver, but Trupanion was our money saver! Sometimes we wondered if it was worth the money since we never had any issues. But recently, our 5th child (aka our dog) developed a major skin issue / autoimmune disease, and wow, the bills! Trupanion covered SO MUCH of the months’ worth of bills totaling around $15,000. 😬 We now have our dog back to himself, and we didn’t break the bank! – Hip2Save reader
If you ever listen to one piece of advice, please, please let it be to look into pet insurance for your pets. I’ve seen firsthand how quickly unexpected vet bills can add up, and having insurance has helped cover a large portion of the costs after the deductible. Every plan is different, and pricing depends on your pet and coverage choices, but it’s something I’m truly grateful to have had in place. – Hip2Save Sidekick, Angela
Ready to choose a top-rated pet insurance company?
If you do decide pet insurance is for you, here are some top-rated providers that we recommend:
- ASPCA: ASPCA pet insurance will cover behavioral problems in addition to health problems.
- Embrace: Embrace pet insurance offers the best value for the price and a 24/7 pet health line.
- Fetch by The Dodo: Fetch pet insurance will cover online visits at no additional charge, and get 10% off every month for life!
- Figo: Figo pet insurance has some of the best emergency coverage and offers a 100% reimbursement option.
- Healthy Paws: Healthy Paws pet insurance processes claims quickly and also covers alternative care.
- Lemonade: Lemonade pet insurance offers up to 90% coverage with a $500 deductible while donating unused premiums!
- Nationwide: Nationwide pet insurance provides the best coverage for exotic pets and birds.
- Trupanion: Trupanion pet insurance pays hospitals directly and doesn’t have long waiting periods for coverage.
So… is pet insurance worth it? We think it’s better to be safe than sorry!
We’re so glad to hear that some people have been saved from financial ruin and are able to take care of their pets thanks to pet insurance. As always, consider what is best for you and your furry friend. No matter what you decide, I think we can all agree that pets make the world go around. ❤️
Is all this pet talk making you want to spoil your furry friend? Check out the best pet deals here!
