Did you know that the average cost of an emergency vet visit without pet insurance can run anywhere between $800 to $1500? It’s a financial burden any pet parent would find overwhelming, and rightfully so. Pets make their way into our homes and hearts, quickly becoming a part of our family.
We budget for routine vet visits, vaccines, tests, and living experiences. We pamper them with treats, toys, love, and attention. It’s estimated that pet parents spend roughly $355 to $650 each year on food, toys, treats, and other miscellaneous expenses. Their well-being is our well-being.
Then suddenly they develop a bump in an unlikely place or display odd behavior that’s out of character. In some cases, having long-term effects on your pet.
This is where having pet insurance becomes essential.
It saves you from unexpected medical expenses due to your pet’s emergency vet visit and/or treatment plan. The average cost of an emergency exam can run anywhere from $75 to $170.
The best-fit pet insurance policy for your pet
Whichever level or combination of pet insurance coverage you decide to obtain for your pet will depend on your financial health, their pre-existing conditions, and/or breed. There’s a variety of protection options for all kinds of pets, but the most commonly offered are pertaining to cats or dogs.
Types of pet insurance policies:
- Wellness policies cover your pet’s most basic needs (i.e. annual check-ups and vaccines).
- Accident-only policies will reimburse you for emergency-related care.
- Accident-illness policies also provide coverage for your pet against accidents and unexpected illnesses. This is the most common type of pet insurance purchased.
You also have the option to add additional coverage for your pet’s pre-existing conditions. This includes health and physical issues. Opting for a wellness add-on may be pricey, but it provides the most comprehensive coverage.
The key factors that affect what you pay are:
- Size — this includes the height and weight of your pet.
- Breed — the genetic makeup of your cat or dog.
- Age — to clarify your pet’s current life expectancy.
- Deductible — which is the amount pet parents are financially responsible for.
- Policy provider — who provides financial support through a pet insurance plan.
The level of pet insurance you land on aside, there are 3 reasons why it’s for every pet parent.
1. Vet recommended
The beautiful thing about pet insurance is the state of well-being they aim to help your pet maintain. When your pet is covered by an insurer, it means that your pet will always receive the right care regardless of your financial health. This, in turn, translates to fewer pets being euthanized or abandoned due to economic-related reasons. All veterinarians are “in-network” for pet parents. Your insurance provider simply reimburses you rather than you having to pay the doctor yourself.
2. Cost-saving
Pet insurance saves you from outrageous out-of-pocket expenses. Once you meet your deductible, your insurer will commonly cover additional costs up to a certain number of accidents or amounts per year. 69% of Americans even say that they have less than $1000 saved up for emergencies.
3. Supports well-being
Pet insurance encourages the kind of “best life” every pet parent would want their pet to lead. It’s preventative care that highlights your pet’s future health. Healthier pets don’t just equal a healthier pet population. It also reduces the stress pet parents often feel over the cost of medical bills. Active coverage benefits everyone.
If you’re a pet parent, chances are you could benefit from having pet insurance in place for your furry friend. It’s more affordable than it has been in previous years as well with most insurers offering wellness policies starting as low as $9.95 a month. With most pet parents considering their pets to be family, that’s a small price to pay to ensure that they’re protected in case of an emergency.
Contact us today to set up your pet’s safety net. Downey Insurance Group finds the coverage your pet needs at a price point your pockets would love, giving you the peace of mind you deserve.