As beloved members of the family, your pets and their well-being are always on your mind. You ensure they get enough exercise, eat a healthy diet, and keep a close eye on them to prevent illness and injury. But sometimes, things just happen. Perhaps your dog becomes lethargic when they were playful before, or your cat eats something they shouldn’t have. In many cases like this, it becomes essential to provide your furry friend with veterinary care.
While veterinarians are your number one ally in making sure your pets are safe and healthy, it’s no secret that the services can sometimes get pricey. Animal care can be an expensive process, especially when it comes to more serious, complex health issues.
While all pet owners need to have some dedicated savings in case of an emergency with their animal, even this might not be sufficient for certain problems, placing you in a difficult financial situation.
So what’s the answer to this dilemma? One of the best ways to guarantee your pet will get the help they need is with vet insurance (also called pet insurance). Much like health insurance for humans, this service gives you peace of mind in exchange for monthly premiums.
So one question is, why don’t more people take advantage of this opportunity? Why don’t more pets have vet insurance?
Common Misconceptions About Pet Insurance vs the Reality
There’s a lot of discourse out there on whether or not pet insurance is worth it for the average person. We’re here to address some of the most common concerns and misconceptions about this vital practice, and add some facts to the discussion.
“Pet insurance doesn’t cover much”
Most veterinary insurance plans cover more than you might expect. From urgent care to surgery, vaccinations to regular check-ups, most plans will pay at least a portion of most veterinary procedures. Assuming you’re taking your pet to the vet semi-regularly, insurance will quickly pay for itself.
“Pet insurance won’t be worth it”
Perhaps you’re financially comfortable with paying for vaccines and check-ups but don’t have enough money stored away for an emergency visit or surgery. Pet insurance can take the burden of that stress away, providing peace of mind that any unexpected costs will be much lower.
Even if your cat, dog, or rabbit doesn’t experience any major emergencies, insurance will still cover some of the costs of regular examinations and other appointments. And if your vet is seeing your pet as often as they should, the expense is quickly made up for, sometimes within just a handful of vet visits.
One other thing to add to this discussion is the idea of insurance being ‘worth it’. When it comes to material goods, it’s easy to make a cost analysis when weighing the pros and cons of insuring it. You might find that you’re okay with taking a risk on a valuable, but inanimate object. There’s a unique aspect to insurance decisions with pets, however: compassion. Your beloved pet deserves all the care they need—at any time. That’s what makes pet insurance worth it.
“My pet is too old for vet insurance”
Another common misconception about pet insurance is that it’s not a good idea (or even possible) to get insurance for an older pet. While it’s true that older pets are more likely to have pre-existing conditions than younger pets, and will thus have higher premiums, this shouldn’t discourage you.
Older pets tend to face many more physical health concerns, with some compounding as time goes on. Your pet deserves to age with grace and dignity, free from discomfort. Since veterinary care for older pets can become expensive, both due to the frequency and complexity of appointments, insurance is typically a wise investment, despite higher premiums.
Related to concerns of pet age are worries that a pet is the ‘wrong’ breed. Certain breeds have higher predispositions to certain issues, but there is a suitable insurance plan for all types and breeds.
“My pet doesn’t need vet insurance”
No one wants to imagine a serious health concern with their pet. And while it’s by no means a guarantee, it’s also not uncommon for pets to experience a major injury or illness at some point in their life. Even the healthiest pets will need to be examined by your veterinarian from time to time, and no pet is immune from unexpected emergencies.
Vet insurance provides peace of mind and confidence for pet owners, ensuring they never have to make difficult choices regarding the health of their pet for financial reasons.
Getting Your Pet the Care They Need
As you can see, there are many misconceptions about pet insurance. These myths are largely to blame for the surprisingly high amount of uninsured pets. And while those owners may not have to endure the monthly expense of pet insurance premiums, these savings are almost always temporary, as it only takes one unexpected problem to create a large financial liability.
Pet insurance is a great way to protect your pet and your finances, ensuring a healthy, happy life for your furry friend no matter the cost. Your veterinarian is a great resource to have in the event you’re currently seeking more information about the topic, and will help you make the best decision out of the many available options.
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