Dog Vet Insurance Pros and Cons
Determining whether you want dog vet insurance can be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make as a pet owner.
These policies vary in terms and rates, so you can purchase a plan that covers only catastrophic or emergency circumstances or a plan that covers all veterinarian appointments, illnesses, medications and routine care procedures. Some plans require you to cover copays and other charges while others will cover 100% of your expenses in certain circumstances.
The problem is that you can’t see into the future. You don’t know if your dog is going to come down with a serious illness, get hit by a car or need hip replacement surgery when they get older. The worst case scenario is that your dog gets sick or injured and you cannot afford to pay for the medical bills because you didn’t invest in pet insurance. That thought alone is enough to make you want to make the investment right away, but consider the pros and cons of dog vet insurance before you take out a policy.
Pet Insurance Pros
Vet insurance for your dog gives you the happiness of knowing that you have a financial safety net if your dog suffers a serious illness or injury. While this is comforting, you have to consider the more important pros to purchasing insurance for your dog:
- The cost of routine dog care can be reduced
- The cost of surgeries and emergency care become more affordable
- You can see the licensed vet of your choice
- Copays and deductibles are sometimes cheaper than paying full vet bills
Pet Insurance Cons
Before you decide that your peace of mind is worth the price of a dog vet insurance policy, you have to consider the potential downsides to making this investment:
- Monthly payments are sometimes difficult for those on a tight budget
- Medical needs specific to some breeds are not always covered
- Copays and deductibles make it difficult to pay for treatment even with the insurance
- Some policies may not cover pre-existing conditions
- You often have to pay for services upfront and wait for reimbursement
- If your dog never uses the insurance, you don’t get the money back
Your Final Decision about Dog Vet Insurance
If you do decide to purchase vet insurance for your dog, make sure to compare policies and read the fine print carefully. Make sure conditions that commonly affect your dog’s breed are covered and that pre-existing conditions your dog currently has will not be rejected. Make sure that you understand all of the expenses involved, including your share of the bill when you take your dog in for routine visits or emergency care.
The biggest disadvantage of pet insurance is that most policies force you to pay for all services upfront. You will get reimbursed for the insurance company’s share of the bill, but you need the money to pay for the services while you wait for the reimbursement. If you are living on a tight budget, you may be unable to cover substantial charges if your dog falls ill. In that case, the policy may not do you much good since you pay for the services initially.
Whether you decide to purchase pet insurance or not, you can minimize visits to the vet and chances of a serious illness by feeding your dog nutritious foods and ensuring that they get adequate exercise. Healthy pets see the vet less and live longer with little to no medical intervention.
Related Articles:
- Dog Emergency Care: Reasons To See a Vet Immediately
- Essential Dog Care Information for Your Dog’s Health
