Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank; Pet Insurance

Sad cat needs pet insurance

Thanks to Pet Insurance, Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

Unexpected veterinary bills can quickly drain your bank account or emergency fund. Since you never know when disaster will strike, pet insurance helps you ensure that your companion receives the care it needs without straining your finances.

Why Pet Insurance Is a Good Idea

Your pet may be healthy now, but what about next month or next year? Illnesses, infections, and injuries happen without warning and can be costly to treat. If you don't have pet insurance, you may need to use funds earmarked for household expenses or rely on credit cards to pay veterinary bills. When you have pet insurance, your budget won't take a hit due to an unexpected bill.

Pet insurance also offers peace of mind. When you know your pet's health care needs are covered by insurance, you won't have to make a difficult decision about whether you can afford a particular treatment or procedure.

Veterinary care can be expensive, particularly if your pet is injured or has a complicated condition or illness. Even a seemingly minor problem like a stomach issue can be more expensive than you expected. According to the Healthy Paws' Pet Insurance 2019 Cost of Pet Healthcare Report, treatment of a stomach problem could cost as much as $29,000, depending on the treatment. Stomach problems were the top reason both dogs and cats visited the veterinarian based on the report's findings.

During your pet's treatment, the veterinarian may need to analyze your furry friend's blood, take X-rays or ultrasounds, perform endoscopies or surgery, or prescribe medication. Your bill increases with each test, procedure, or medication your pet needs.

Although treatment of a stomach issue could cost tens of thousands of dollars in an extreme case, most pet owners will only pay a few thousand dollars. Of course, a $2,000 bill may easily derail your budget if you don't have pet insurance.

What to Look for When Buying Pet Insurance

When you're comparing pet insurance plans, take a look at:

  • Coverage. Does the plan cover well visits in addition to accidents and illnesses? If well visit coverage is available, will you need to pay more for it? Does the policy list specific conditions and injuries that will be covered, such as cancer, parasites, broken bones, ingestion of foreign objects, etc.? Does it cover routine vaccines?
  • Exclusions. Are certain conditions excluded from the coverage? What about chronic and long-term diseases and conditions? Will the policy cover care for your pet's diabetes or hip dysplasia? In some cases, insurers may cover new illnesses and injuries, but might exclude pre-existing illnesses or chronic conditions.
  • Reimbursements. Most pet insurance plans reimburse you after you pay veterinary bills. You'll need to pay the veterinarian with cash, check, or a credit card, then wait to be reimbursed. Ask the company how long it takes to provide reimbursements and what percentage of your costs will be covered by the plan.
  • Premiums and Other Charges. How much will you pay for the coverage? Are there co-pays and deductibles? Will the premiums go up every year? Will you pay more as your pet gets older? How often are premium payments due?
  • Breed Coverage. Does the insurer cover your pet's breed? If the breed is known to have many health risks, the insurer may choose to decline coverage or not offer coverage for specific conditions.
  • Veterinarians. Can you use the insurance at any veterinary office you want? What if your pet needs to see an emergency veterinarian? Will the policy cover emergency visits to other veterinarians or trips to veterinary specialists?

If you're having trouble deciding between two plans, check out Money's list of 10 best pet insurance companies or call the veterinary office. The staff may be able to offer information about companies that offer the best coverage or promptly reimburse their clients for expenses. Contact our office if you have any questions about pet insurance or your pet's health.

Sources:

AVMA: Do You Need Pet Insurance?

Money: 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies of July 2022, 7/7/2022

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance 2019 Cost of Pet Healthcare Report

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Testimonial

  • "We bring both our girls Ava and Nellie. Our latest visit was due to a limping issue after a visit to a dog park with Nellie (Greyhound and Healer mix). Staff was very kind and gentle with Nellie who is timid with strangers. In the end Nellie thanked both the vet and tech by licking their hands. Great team go see this vet office."
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  • "Dr. Sutton and the loving staff at Union Animal Hospital are amazing! They've taken wonderful care of my dog's since they were puppies. We've added 2 more dog's to our pack, a rescue and a re-home, after my Springer passed this spring. Dr. Sutton and here staff are so good with dog's they don't even mind going for their visits. Thanks Doc!"
    Mike P.
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    Lisa S.
  • "Union Animal Hospital is the best place! The first time visit was great even during the Pandemic, the techs are wonderful and friendly. Best of all is that they are definitely affordable compared to the rest of the clinics in Spokane."
    Lori J.
  • "The most caring and compassionate animal hospital and veterinary clinic I've found in Spokane. Everyone is so nice and they are outstanding with my 11 year old Pomeranian. I've been searching for a while to find a new Veterinary clinic to take my Pomeranian. I'm so happy to have finally found a place with such caring people whom I can trust to care for my dog and give me all the information I need. They even gave me a print out estimate for everything. They are a bit more expensive than some other places I've researched but with the quality of care they give in my opinion it's well worth the few extra dollars. Thank you guys for treating us so well."
    Amber M.
  • "Our fist time having a pet emergency and Union Animal Hospital took us in right away and helped our Fur baby get better again. We won't go anywhere else, good prices and amazing staff, this is the spot if you care and love your animals take them here to be treated with the utmost respect and quality. LOTS IF LOVE TO YOU GUYS FOR BEING THERE FOR OUR FAMILY"
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