If you want to know if pet insurance for dogs is worth it …read on to learn the benefits and drawbacks… plus learn about pet emergency funds.
As a dog owner, I personally know I want to do everything I can for our dogs. And our family has two such furry loved ones in our home! Pablo (a mini dachshund) and Lili (a mutt with lots of Labrador qualities).
And when we imagine adopting a dog or cat, we think of endless games together, fun and cuddles. Pleasant emotions and fantasies make us forget that a pet is also a responsibility for the owner.
Unfortunately, no one is immune to emergencies and diseases. This is especially important when we talk about animals, because they cannot take care of themselves.
Pet parents should take care of their animal kids and create a plan for such situations ahead.
A reliable solution would be to get pet insurance. But many people think it’s not worth it or unnecessary. So let’s figure out what it is and how much it costs.
Last year, the number of insured pets in the U.S. increased by 28%, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Today, over four million dogs and cats have pet insurance in the U.S. Why do people do that more and more?
Every year the cost of living increases and people have to adapt. The average veterinary emergency check has reached $1,500 while one out of every three pets will require emergency treatment each year.
If your dog needs an emergency surgery, the amount can reach $5000. Now think about whether you can afford to pay this check at one time? In most cases, the answer is no. Even if you love your dog very much, it’s really a lot of money.
Therefore, in such situations, when money is needed urgently and the life of your furry friend depends on it, pet insurance can be a lifesaver. That’s why the total number of insured cats and dogs in the U.S. has more than doubled in the last five years.
If you still think that these are fictitious prices or that in your case the amount will be less, let’s take a look at the price of emergency services.
How much a visit to an emergency vet will cost depends on numerous details, including the time, day, location, size of your dog, the clinic itself, and what condition or injury your dog has.
Usually, a veterinarian starts with a thorough examination of your pet to identify the problem and other abnormalities. Sometimes a medication or an injection is enough, but more often than not, you’ll need additional treatments.
You can see the cost of the procedure in more detail in the table.
|
Procedure |
Small Dogs |
Large Dogs |
|
Exam\Consultation |
$100-150 |
$100-150 |
|
General Bloodwork |
$80–200 |
$80-200 |
|
X-rays |
$150-250 |
$150-250 |
|
Ultrasound |
$300-600 |
$300-600 |
|
1-2-Day Hospitalization |
$600-1.500 |
$800-1.700 |
|
3-5-Day Hospitalization |
$1.500-3000 |
$2.000-3.500 |
|
Wound Treatment & Repair |
$1.800-2.000 |
$1.000-2.500 |
|
Emergency Surgery. |
$1.800-3000 |
$2.000-5.000 |
|
Oxygen Therapy |
$800-2.500 |
$1.000-3.000 |
Source: https://emergencyvetsusa.com/average-cost-of-emergency-vet-visits/
This is an average price that may vary depending on the clinic. It is not a good idea to save money by refusing to take tests or extra treatment. Sometimes owners do this because they don’t want to lead to debt. Then their 4-legged friends get complications or wrong diagnoses.
For example, your pet dog has a urinary infection (UTI) and you decided not to pay to have a culture analyzed. You just gave your dog a course of antibiotics and created a UTI that became resistant to antibiotic treatment.
As a result, you will need even more expensive medications or even hospitalization due to the complications your dog will get.
Pet insurance pays you back for unexpected vet bills related to accidents, injuries, and illnesses. Extensive insurance tariffs can cover 80%, 90%, or even 100% of the vet bill.
Of course, you will still have to pay, but paying for a small monthly subscription is much easier. On average, such a subscription costs from $40. Let’s look at what this pet insurance can cover. Let’s see what you can get for this money.
When you choose pet insurance, you can learn more about it on their website or from a consultant. Often, insurance companies have additional services that will make your pet feel even more comfortable.
Pet insurance is designed to cover emergencies, it does not cover many regular procedures or pre-existing illnesses for your pet. It is quite logical that a chronic illness did not come on suddenly and the owner can cope with it without insurance. Also, the insurance does not cover animal pregnancy, childbirth and administrative costs.
You can always ask the insurance company to include more items for coverage, but then you will have to pay more. In any case, buying a pet insurance will take away a lot of stress and fears about emergencies.
Some pet owners use other, less popular pet insurance alternatives.
As you can see, each option has its own advantages or disadvantages. It is up to you to choose.
Is animal insurance worth the money? I think the answer to this question has already appeared in your mind after reading this article.
With insurance, you won’t have to panic to find money to pay for treatment. You will be able to devote your thoughts and time to your furry friend who needs your support.
At the same time, it’s a financially smart move. Paying for monthly subscriptions is much easier than paying several hundred or thousands of dollars at once.
As you might know, I wrote a bestselling resiliency psychology book called Bounce Back and founded the groundbreaking video course called The Anxiety Cure.
Meaning? I’m all about reducing the stress in your life however you can! Therefore, in 2023, insurance is a necessity that will save you money, save your animal in case of emergency, and keep peace in your mind. I think it’s worth every penny.
Join my groundbreaking video course: The Anxiety Cure.
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