Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost? And How Much Are they?
Written by Alyssa Orcuilo and Jacqueline Slobin
If you have a pet, you probably know how costly it can be to bring them to the vet. The average pet visit can cost anywhere from $50- $400. Similar to human health insurance, a deductible, reimbursement, and out of pocket maximum may be applicable, depending on the insurance option you choose.
Pet insurance is an option you can choose to save money on veterinarian expenses such as illnesses and injuries. Many pet insurances have a yearly expense and are paid monthly. You may have to pay a premium and you would get the cost reimbursed.
Similar to regular insurance, the policyholder would pay a small portion of the bill and the insurance company pays the remainder. After your visit and payment, you can file a claim with your insurer to be reimbursed, but keep in mind that insurance does not cover all ailments and procedures your pet may need treatment for. These are the most common exclusions:
- Dental disease
- Preexisting or hereditary conditions
- Behavior issues
- Routine check-ups, preventative care
- Hip dysplasia
- Grooming
Comparison of using pet insurance and not using it.
What Pets Qualify for Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is for all different types of pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, exotic birds, reptiles, potbelly pigs, and various rodents. Read below to find the best option for you and your pet. Coverage costs will largely depend on the age, health profile of the animal, and the level of care you choose.
There is a variety of insurance available for different types of pet
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What Options Are Available?
Here are some options for pet insurance plans:
Pet Assure offers four options to cover a single cat, a single dog, a family, or an unlimited plan. Pricing differs based on zip code and can be paid at either a monthly or annual rate. To find pricing for your zip code, visit https://www.petassure.com. Pet Assure covers all in-house medical expenses and reduces their cost by 25%. This plan is accepted by veterinarians in all 50 states and a comprehensive list can be found on their website.
- Pet Assure does not cover non-medical services, such as grooming, and blood work that needs to be sent out to a lab.
Figo offers three plans for dogs, three plans for cats, and allows for customization of reimbursement percentages and annual deductibles. Figo can cover accidents or illnesses related to veterinary exams. To find pricing based on your zip code and the breed of your pet, visit https://figopetinsurance.com/get-started.
- Figo does not cover pre-existing conditions, spaying or neutering, experimental procedures, cosmetic surgery, or preventative care
Petplan offers holistic plans for both dogs and cats, including dental care and emergency fees. Petplan determines your individual cost by factoring in age, breed, zip code, reimbursement level, annual deductible, and annual coverage. To calculate the cost of your plan visit: https://www.gopetplan.com/dog-insurance.
- Petplan does not cover pre-existing conditions, routine or preventative visits, or elective procedures
Trupanion offers one simple plan to cover 90% of eligible veterinary costs for dogs and cats. Trupanion covers hereditary and congenital conditions, as well as unidentified issues such as vomiting or a cough. Use this link to calculate the cost of your plan based on age, breed, and zip code: https://trupanion.com/enrollments/get-a-quote.
- Trupanion does not cover pre-existing conditions, vaccines, spaying, and neutering.
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Is Pet Insurance Worth The Cost?
Unfortunately, many companies do not cover pre-existing conditions, so you need to decide whether or not to pay for pet insurance before your animal potentially gets sick. There are several factors to consider when making this decision:
- Price and age: figure out how much the price will increase as your pet ages. This is specific to each plan and you can use their websites to calculate how much you will be paying per month at various points of your pet‚s life.
- Likelihood of developing conditions: talk to your vet and do research on typical medical issues your breed of dog or cat is prone to. If your breed is prone to certain conditions that can be costly, it may make sense to pay for insurance.
- Chronic conditions: see how long your plan will cover a chronic condition - some plans may only cover chronic conditions for one year.
- Consider how much you can pay out of pocket: it is important to think about the cost of services if your pet were to get into an accident. Financially, can you afford to pay several thousand dollars out of pocket if your pet needs emergency intervention? If you cannot, it may be a safer decision to pay for insurance that covers accidents.
Overall, paying for pet insurance will give you peace of mind in the case of an emergency. You will also be less likely to feel the need to pick between your wallet and your pet‚s health in these situations. It is important to understand exactly what your plan covers and how much you will be paying before signing up for a plan.
Pets are truly family to us- we understand. But how about your health insurance? Do you need an affordable option? With Mira, you can now afford your copays for preventative, urgent care, lab tests- all without insurance.
Resources (links)
https://www.valuepenguin.com/pet-insurance/what-is-pet-insurance
https://figopetinsurance.com/get-started
https://www.gopetplan.com/dog-insurance
https://trupanion.com/enrollments/get-a-quote
https://www.consumerreports.org/pet-products/is-pet-insurance-worth-cost/
https://www.caninejournal.com/is-pet-insurance-worth-it/
Alyssa is a Senior Marketing Associate & Content Writer at Mira. She is passionate about educating others on how to affordably access healthcare.
