Pet insurance has allowed me to make emergency medical decisions
for my pets with little thought about the costs involved.
Veterinary costs are constantly rising like everything else.
Yet last year, when my cat Bonzo suddenly became dehydrated and
diagnosed with early onset kidney failure, he was treated
immediately. The last thing on my mind was the thousands of
dollars in vet charges about to be incurred.
Today Bonzo continues to be happy and healthy because of pet
insurance.
Pet emergencies can cost thousands of dollars.
Several years ago my sister's dog ran out into traffic,
fracturing several bones. It was a very traumatic experience for
everyone involved. The kids were crying, the dog was crying,
bystanders were crying.
Making sure the dog wasn't suffering was everyone's type
priority. Like me, my sister had pet insurance and so the issue
of the thousands of dollars likely needed for treatment wasn't
even discussed.
He was rushed to the vet hospital, where he was treated for
several days. When he came home, the smile on my nephew's face
as he ran up and welcomed his best friend home was truly
priceless.
What is pet insurance?
Pet Insurance is a policy that covers your household pets such
as cats and dogs as long as they're healthy. Whether your dog or
cat is mixed breed or pedigree most insurers will cover the
animal for the whole of its life.
That means if an emergency medical situation arises, I can make
the best choices for the comfort and health of my friend, rather
than what best suits my pocketbook of the day.
What does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance usually covers more than just the vet bills. It
can also cover emergency kenneling costs, theft and travel.
Vaccinations and routine treatments such as worming and flea
treatments are also excluded.
Millions of pet owners treat their animals like family.
I have four cats, who are members of my family. I have had pets
my entire life. I cannot imagine the distress of being in a
situation where my pet's problem is curable but the cost is too
high and I put my animal to sleep.
Or, I opt for less than ideal treatment again because of cost
constraints.
I would never do that to my own children so why would I do that
to my pets?
Pet insurance can give you the piece of mind that you are
covered against unexpected bills. Pet insurance can take away
the financial worries when a pet is seriously ill.
Knowing this, when I first discovered pet insurance in the late
1980's (while renewing my life insurance) I jumped all over it.
At that time, $25 per month to cover three cats seemed like
peanuts. Today, I pay $60 for 4 cats.
When should I get pet insurance?
I have insured all of my cats within the first six months of
life.
It is often difficult to get insurance for older pets. Usually
pre-existing illnesses will not be covered. That's why it is
important to think about insurance as soon as possible.
It is now possible to pay a monthly premium to insure your pet
against veterinary fees.
Are there different levels of pet insurance?
Just like the different coverages on your life insurance policy,
pet insurance plans are the same.
There are usually different levels of coverages available where
different values or events are covered. Usually the higher the
monthly payment, the greater the value of coverages.
Different aspects of coverages you need to review include: Vet's
Fees, Coverage for Life, Accidental Damage, Death from Illness,
Death from Accident, Advertising & Reward, Theft or Straying,
Third Party Liability & Legal Expenses, Boarding Kennel Fees,
Holiday Cancellation Costs and Overseas Travel.
About the author:
Bestpetresources.com is run by Drew Harris and is a
one-stop-shop web portal for those shopping for pet insurance
and pet meds. Multiple pages of resources, referrals and tools.
Expert advice articles.
http://www.bestpetresources.com
