By Dana Larson
When you choose to become a dog owner, you fall in love with your pet and agree to do everything you can to take care of them. And it’s no secret that the cost of caring for a beloved dog can be huge. An option that can potentially reduce the healthcare costs for your furry friend is purchasing a pet insurance.
Pet insurance works in very much the same way human insurance works. You choose a plan with a coverage limit and usually a deductible, and pay on it each month. You may think it’s a fantastic option to lessen your vet bills, and in case of an emergency, you know your dog will be well taken care of because of your coverage.
Before deciding on pet insurance, however, you may want to do a little math. Many pet insurance plans start around $10 a month but the coverage may be slim. One option from Kroger Personal Finance will provide up to $1,000 annually for their cheapest monthly plan ($9.95 a month). This means that, over five year’s time, you’ll have spent $600 on your pet insurance. And then, if your dog needs emergency surgery or other expensive healthcare, you’ll be spending an additional amount over that $1,000 that isn’t covered. However, you are allowed to put routine check-ups on your pet insurance, so the insurance could potentially save you money.
Some of their other policies may cost more but end up saving you more money in the long run so don’t just consider the cheapest route. About.com has some good information about the average cost of vet care for a dog…just do the math to pick the right policy.
Pet insurance for a senior dog is a bit more complicated. Because it usually costs more to take care of our older friends, finding coverage for your senior dog that works with your pocketbook becomes a bit more challenging. Now, if you choose just accident coverage, your monthly premium stays the same. However, if you want accident and illness coverage, your premium goes up to around $60 per month. With this plan, you are spending over $600 in only one year in case your senior dog becomes ill or needs an emergency vet visit.
When deciding which pet insurance plan works best for your dog, take into consideration the dog’s age, health history, activity and diet. If your dog is healthy,
active, on a strict diet and hasn’t been sick a day in his life, you are probably okay with choosing the cheaper accident coverage plan or foregoing pet insurance altogether.
When it comes to pet insurance, only you can decide which plan, if any, is right for your dog. There are many options to choose from when searching for the right coverage. Do your best to learn about your options and compare pet insurance plans, and you’re sure to make the right decision to keep your best bud happy and healthy.
For more on how pet insurance works visit ehow.com and if you’d like to compare policies we found a good comparison here.
Do you carry pet insurance? Let us know why!
Although Dana Larson is not a dog, she is the resident dog sitter and dog walker at her house. Her roommate has 3 dogs, but her favorite is Misfit, a huge,
goofy-looking mutt. Dana volunteers at animal shelters to take care of the dogs that are housed there and looks forward to getting a dog of her own after she gets married this fall. Look for more of Dana’s doggy news reports!
Bart
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I agree that if certain pet owner would plan to have some pet insurance they should consider their pet’s age, health history, activity and diet. Thanks for sharing pondered information on this one.
I heard about this option, but have never consider until now to be very important. Mostly I believe that health check ups and good supplements are more important.