Pet Insurance

Do you need insurance for your doodle?

It’s a relatively simple, frequently asked, and complicated question.

With the numerous advancements in medical technology made in the past several years, there are more options for pet owners to consider. New technology means new equipment for your vet and more advanced testing, resulting in a more accurate diagnosis. Just as with humans, this also means more significant expense to the vet purchasing the equipment and you in paying for the service. Fido had a limp in the past, so you gave him a buffered aspirin, and he didn’t throw his ball as much. Now, Fido can have an MRI and microsurgery to repair the tiny tear in his knee. These advancements are better for Fido but costly for you.

We haven’t even touched on the increasing expense of cancer detection and treatment. Some consideration must be given to the success rate of more expensive treatments. If faced with a decision about your 12-year-old Fido, would you pay anything for the possibility of a few more months, or feel it was time to let him go?

Remember that most significant illnesses occur in old age; a savings account for possible medical expenses is probably a better investment for most pet owners.  You will save substantially if you deposit the premium amounts during Fido’s life. A pet care savings account also allows you the freedom to use the funds for annual treatments. If the money isn’t needed for pet care, it’s an excellent savings account.  On the other hand, if you decide to shop for pet insurance, be an informed consumer. Some pet insurance policies cover treatment of hereditary conditions and chronic illness, but most do not. As with human insurance, there are varying amounts of deductibles and percent of co-pay. Policy comparisons are available on the Internet to make shopping easier.