What is Pet Insurance and Should I Buy It?

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General - Health

What is Pet Insurance and Should I Buy It?

We all love our pets, they're part of the family and life wouldn't be the same without them. Pets give us unconditional love, companionship and bring great joy into our lives. All they ask of us in return is that we love them, feed them and look after them in sickness and in health.

The everyday costs of being a pet owner can be readily budgeted for and will vary according to your personal choice of the excellent selection of toys, treats and foods that are available. Vaccinations and ongoing preventative health care requirements can also be budgeted for as recommended by your veterinarian.

There is however one aspect of pet guardianship that cannot be anticipated and is always unexpected - the accidents and illnesses that happen to your pet. While the tendency may be to delay thinking about this until it actually happens this can be a costly mistake for all - the time to think about it is now.

What is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance offers a way to plan and budget for you cat or dog's accidents and illnesses. Pet insurance has been available in North America for over 20 years and in Europe since the 1950's. It is offered through a number of providers, which offer a range of programs to suit the needs of domestic pets. Today the number of people enrolling their pets in to a pet insurance program is growing rapidly and with good reason.

Why do I need Pet Insurance?

Advances in the field of animal medicine have been exponential in past decades allowing veterinarians to successfully treat conditions that were previously considered untreatable. However with these advances comes an escalating cost of veterinary care. It is estimated that North American pet guardians now spend over $10 billion a year on healthcare for their pets.

Consider these facts:

One in three pets will need emergency veterinary treatment every year.

Two out of every three pets experience a significant health problem during their lifetime.

Recent claims from one major pet insurer indicate that the cost of the unexpected is high:

Cancer Treatments - Dog	$3,500 - 5,000
Fractured Leg - Cat	$2,300 - 2,500
Hip Dysplasia - Dog	$2,400 - 6,000
Ingestion of a Foreign Body - Cat	$1,200 - 2,500
Motor Vehicle Accident - Dog	$3,100 - 5,000
Infection - Cat	$1,000 - 2,500

The purchase of pet insurance for your pet now will ensure that you can offer them the best possible medical care later.

How Do I Choose My Pet Insurance?

When choosing your pet insurance ask these questions:

Will my pet be covered?
Are there age restrictions at enrollment?
Do the premiums rise as my pet ages or when I use the coverage?
What is the deductible?
Will the insurer pay 100% of the claim less the deductible?
Can I use the veterinarian of my choice?
Is the coverage limited by a restrictive schedule of benefits?
What is the term of the policy?
Does the insurer cover chronic (ongoing) and hereditary conditions?
What is the cost

Given the options available it is always worth doing some research before you purchase. To start you on your way we would recommend that you visit www.petcarepals.com hosted by our partner, the fastest growing pet insurer in North America and view the flexible range of affordable PetCare Pet Insurance Programs.