COVID brought an increased demand for pet ownership, because these adorable furry friends offered us companionship while we were social distancing. More than 23 million American households adopted a pet during the pandemic, and today, 85 million people in this country own at least one pet. Although pets provide us with many benefits, pet ownership is not without its challenges, including the financial burden.
Pet owners consider their four-legged friends as “family” and accordingly invest careful consideration in choosing quality food, toys, and comforts for them. But, what about the cost of ensuring their continued wellness, protection against accidents, and illness? With enhanced technology and medical advancements in treating animals, veterinarians can provide many of the same prescriptions and treatment for pets, as for humans. The price tag is also a hefty one, just as it is for our two-legged loved ones. A veterinary emergency trip can cost as little at $65 but could be as much as $7,000. Are you prepared for that?
The Case for Pet Insurance
Would you think twice about providing health insurance for yourself or your child? Of course not. Pet insurance is something that was not available 30 years ago but is now an accessible product. Only four percent of American dog owners and one percent of cat owners obtain pet insurance.
Pet insurance premiums can be as little as one dollar a day, which could help you avoid dipping into your family emergency fund or could quickly eat up your vacation or home renovation budget.
Pet insurance provides several benefits, including:
- Peace of mind that you will not face an exorbitant veterinary bill. Once you meet your deductible, your insurance provider will pay the eligible expenses up to the amount purchased.
- It not only covers life-saving emergencies, but treatments too.
- It enables you to afford treatments for your pet that could extend their life.
Pet health insurance can help offset some or most of the costs in diagnosing, treating, and managing your pet’s illness or injury. Pet health insurance can also provide for breed-specific health risks, such as pugs’ high likelihood of developing hip dysplasia, or heart disease which most often affects purebred Main Coon, Persian, and Rag Doll cats.
As with any health insurance policy, there are plans that cover the most basic, such as surgery, tests (x-rays, MRIs), and broken bones. There are also specifics that are not covered in pet insurance, including pre-existing conditions, spay/neutering, and vaccinations. With pet insurance, there is no such thing as an out-of-network doctor – you have the freedom to choose your own veterinarian.
To obtain the best protection for your fur baby, contact the team at Charles Leach at 1-888-275-3224.