| With over 74.8 million dogs and 88.3 million cats | | | | not cover pre-existing conditions, hereditary/breed |
| living in households in the United States, it's clear | | | | defects, elective procedures, dog food, and |
| that our furry friends are much more than just | | | | grooming costs. |
| "friends" - they are beloved members of our | | | | How Do I Choose the Right Policy? |
| families. Routine examinations, shots, tick & | | | | There are many considerations to make when |
| flea prevention, and heart worm protection are | | | | choosing an insurance company that is right for |
| the typical standard responsibilities of pet owners, | | | | your pet. First and foremost, read the fine print |
| but are you prepared if your dog or cat gets sick | | | | of each and every policy that you research very |
| or hurt in an accident? | | | | carefully. If your pet has a pre-existing condition |
| Today's veterinary medicine is extremely | | | | or a hereditary issue, you need to make sure this |
| sophisticated; many procedures and treatments | | | | isn't excluded in the policy (there are some |
| are readily available to help your pet live a long | | | | companies out there that will cover these |
| and healthy life. Unfortunately, this advanced | | | | situations). Different types of breeds may be |
| technology comes with a price that you may not | | | | charged higher premiums with certain insurance |
| be able to afford in the event of an emergency. | | | | companies, and there may be age limits on |
| Pet insurance can help alleviate any economic | | | | coverage. It's also very important to understand |
| considerations that you would face when | | | | exactly what types of events and illnesses the |
| determining the best course of treatment for | | | | policy will cover. You don't want to find yourself in |
| your loyal companion. | | | | a situation where your pet gets sick only to find |
| How Long Has Pet Insurance Been Around? | | | | out that your insurance company won't pay for it. |
| Pet insurance actually began in Sweden in 1924 | | | | Last, but certainly not least, take a look at your |
| when the first policy was written for a dog. It | | | | budget. Along with the monthly or annual |
| wasn't until 1982, however, that a pet insurance | | | | premium, you'll need to know what the |
| policy was written in the US for a very famous | | | | deductibles and co-pays cost in order to select a |
| TV dog (pat yourself on the back if you guessed | | | | policy that you can afford. |
| it was for Lassie). Since then, the number of pet | | | | Where Can I Find Pet Insurance? |
| policies in the US has grown at a rate of 18% | | | | There are many companies in the US that offer |
| between 2003 and 2008. Although pet insurance | | | | pet insurance, so here are some of the major |
| policies continue to gain popularity in the US, it is | | | | providers to get you started: |
| far more prevalent in Europe. Almost 20% of pet | | | | - Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI): This is the |
| owners in the UK and 49% of pet owners in | | | | nation's oldest pet insurance company and largest, |
| Sweden have some type of pet insurance. | | | | with 71% of the market share. VPI provides a |
| How Much Does It Cost? | | | | wide range of policies. |
| Just as there are different types of medical | | | | - Embrace Pet Insurance: This is one of the few |
| insurance for us, the same goes for our pets, so | | | | companies that offers coverage for pre-existing |
| it's important to shop around when looking for | | | | conditions and breed-specific genetic conditions. |
| policies. For cats, the average monthly cost of | | | | - PetCare Pet Insurance: Since 1998, PetCare has |
| insurance ranges from $15-$18 per month | | | | been offering policies in both the US and Canada |
| depending on age, while dog insurance typically | | | | and offers a variety of pet insurance products |
| ranges from $22-$28 per month depending on | | | | such as QuickCare and ShelterCare. |
| age and breed. Most policies have deductibles | | | | - Pet Assure: This company is not insurance, but |
| starting at $50, and co-pays are also required for | | | | rather a program that offers medical discounts |
| routine care. In most cases, pet insurance | | | | within a network of veterinarians and pet health |
| reimburses the owner after the pet has received | | | | providers. It is open to all pets of all ages with |
| care and the owner submits a claim to the | | | | any medical condition. |
| insurance company. | | | | Pet owners often don't anticipate the high costs |
| What Does Pet Insurance Cover? | | | | associated with an unexpected illness or injury. |
| Although each pet insurance provider and policy is | | | | Whether or not you're thinking about getting a |
| different, pets are generally covered for routine | | | | pet, or you already have one, set aside some |
| care (annual examinations, vaccinations, spay | | | | time to look at your budget and compare |
| neuter procedure, etc.), major medical expenses | | | | insurance plans. Planning for the future by insuring |
| (serious injuries and illnesses, surgeries, hospital | | | | your cat or dog can save you the |
| stays, etc), as well as cancer (chemotherapy, | | | | heart-wrenching pain of not being able to pay for |
| radiation, and post-treatment medications). It's | | | | treatment down the road. |
| important to know that insurance typically does | | | | |