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Pet medical insurance

Approx. 3 minutes read

For many years pets were only seen as four-legged beings that people had for protection, or to chase mice away, or to work for them. How times have changed! These days most families consider their furry friends as part of their families, even as their children, and boy oh boy, are the animals loving it!

Back in those days when pets were considered “just an animal”, people weren’t prepared to break the bank to pay for vet bills.  But nowadays pets are family, so when Baxter gets sick or Lily breaks her hip, we are no longer willing to go the cheaper way. We want to provide the best care for them.

One thing we can all agree on is that this type of care costs a lot. We know its necessary, but when we need to take our fur babies to the vet for a checkup or their annual vaccinations, we brace ourselves for the bill that will follow. Vaccinations alone are expensive, but if there is a limp or a runny tummy, or worse still, a sore back, we know that we will have to pay up to have our beloved baby treated.

Now the question: Is pet insurance the way to go or is it a waste of money?

Accidents do happen and they somehow always occur at the worst time possible. This is one reason why pet insurance is a great thing to have, especially if you cannot even afford the consultation fees for a checkup.  Having pet insurance gives you peace of mind, knowing that you will be able to take care of your furry friend, providing him with the best medical attention.

Pet insurance allows you and your pet to develop a bond with your vet, the person whom you’ll entrust your pet’s life too. It gives you the confidence knowing that if your pet should ever get injured, sick or needs a simple annual check-up, you can walk into your veterinary practice and not stress about the bill.

Before just grabbing the cheapest pet insurance you can find, make sure you know what you are getting. There are many different types of pet insurance policies that might not provide what you need. You will need to consider your needs,  your pet’s needs, and of course your budget.

Do your research and find the best pet insurance for you and your pet.

Here are some things to consider:

  1. Your pet’s age: As pets get older, they need a lot more attention, and their needs become greater. Make sure the pet insurance you pick will cover arthritis, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, dental procedures and other conditions that affect older animals.

  1. If you have a purebred dog or cat, you should do some research to find out which health issues the breed is prone to. Make sure all these potential health issues are covered. For example, if you have a dog with a long back, like a Dachshund or a Pekingese, you will want to make sure that your pet insurance covers these costly procedures.

  1. Do you travel a lot? Some pet insurances will include the cost of your pet’s boarding while you are away.

  1. Do you have the cash to pay the bill upfront and then claim it back? Some pet insurances provide you with a card that functions like a debit card. They deposit the expected amount into this card, and you can use the card to pay the vet bill before you leave.

If you do your research correctly and you know what you need and what you can expect from your pet insurance, you will not be disappointed. Take time to ask questions and make sure you get what you are paying for in your pet insurance policy.

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