5 benefits of pet insurance that will make you want to get one

Even if you’re an animal lover, pet insurance might not have crossed your mind. After all, your pets are part of your family and you’ll do everything in your power to protect them from any negative situation. Whether it’s gasping for air after contracting a feline flu, breaking a leg in a tragic backyard accident or being hospitalized for eating cat food tainted with lead, the last thing on most pet owners’ minds is whether their animal has insurance for such unfortunate events.

However, as the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. While you can’t predict when misfortune will strike and how much it will cost to treat your beloved pet (or even which company will cover their treatment), having insurance beforehand can save you from going broke.

What is a pet insurance?

Pet insurance is coverage that covers the medical treatment of your pet. If your dog or cat becomes ill or gets injured, pet insurance will help you cover the associated costs. You can break down pet insurance into two categories: health insurance and coverage for accidents and diseases. Health insurance covers the cost of preventive care and annual checkups for things like vaccinations, spaying and neutering, and teeth cleaning. Health insurance also covers the cost of things like broken bones or teeth that fall out because of an illness or injury. Accident and disease coverage helps cover the cost of treating injuries or illnesses that aren’t preventable. This includes things like food poisoning, bladder stones, and cancers.

Why do you need pet insurance?

There are many reasons why pet owners should consider getting pet insurance. If your pet gets hurt or sick, it could cost you thousands of pounds to treat them. If you have health insurance, you’ll get most of that money back. But if you have pet insurance, you’ll get all of that money back while paying a much lower monthly premium. Pet insurance can also give you peace of mind by covering sudden accidents, like your dog getting hit by a car while chasing a squirrel or your cat getting injured by a window screen. These types of accidents aren’t preventable, but they can still cause a lot of expensive medical bills.

Another very important reason why you need pet insurance is the fact that most vets don’t accept payment plans. This means you’d have to come up with the entire amount all at once, which can be very difficult if your pet is seriously ill or injured.

brown french bulldog puppy lying on yellow textile

The benefits of pet insurance?

As we’ve seen, proper pet insurance will cover all treatment (including surgeries) if your pet gets sick or injured, saving you thousands of pounds. The best pet insurance companies will also cover routine care, like annual checkups, vaccinations, spaying and neutering, and teeth cleaning. These will help keep your pet healthy and extend their lifespan, saving you even more in the long run. Unlike human health insurance, pet insurance often covers all types of animals, including exotic ones like snakes, lizards, and birds. Some pet insurers even allow you to add your goldfish to your policy! The following are some of the most important benefits of pet insurance:

  • Your pet’s medical bills will be covered if they get sick or injured
  • You can get preventative care, like vaccinations, spaying and neutering, and teeth cleaning, at a reduced rate or for free
  • You’ll never have to worry about paying for expensive surgeries or treatments.

What to look for in a pet insurance company?

If you decide you want to get pet insurance, the first thing you should do is shop around for different pet insurance companies. The two most important factors you should consider are price and coverage. You can get a rough idea of how much pet insurance will cost you per month by looking at the average pet insurance prices for your area. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of pet insurance companies based on price, you’ll want to make sure they have good coverage. You should find out exactly what each policy covers, what it doesn’t cover, and how much you have to pay out of your own pocket. You should also make sure the company offers a good customer experience. What kind of people work there? What are their policies? How easy is it to file a claim?

Mistakes you shouldn’t make when getting pet insurance

Even if you’ve researched the best pet insurance companies, chosen the best policy, and found a low premium, if you make these common mistakes it can all go to waste.

  1. You don’t get pet insurance covering your pet’s medical bills; is of course the most important reason to get pet insurance, yet many people forget to actually get coverage. If you don’t get pet insurance, you’ll be responsible for 100% of your pet’s medical costs out of your own pocket. This can be very difficult if your pet gets seriously ill or injured.
  2. You don’t buy pet insurance soon enough; you should buy pet insurance as soon as possible. The younger your pet is when you buy pet insurance, the cheaper it will be. Some pet insurers will even give you a lower rate if you sign up for a long-term contract.
  3. You forget to update your policy; make sure you update your policy every year. This means you should update your pet’s age, weight, and any health conditions they might have. You should also update your policy whenever you add or remove an animal from your home.
  4. You don’t read the fine print; the fine print can’t be read in 5 seconds while you’re waiting in line at the grocery store. You have to actually sit down and read the entire policy so you know exactly what you’re getting.
  5. You don’t have a pet health history; many pet insurance companies will ask you to fill out a pet health history when you apply for coverage. This might seem like a waste of time, but it’s actually very important. Your pet’s health history can affect their rates, so it’s important to be honest and accurate.

Final Words

While pet insurance is a great way to protect your furry friends, it’s important to note that it won’t cover things like regular veterinary visits, vaccinations, regular grooming, or basic pet supplies. It will only cover things like emergencies or illnesses, dental work, and surgery. If you want to protect your pets from the financial burden that comes with unexpected vet bills, pet insurance is the way to go. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that pet insurance has become so popular.