Is pet insurance right for you? It’s a personal choice for pet owners everywhere. Knowing what pet insurance is all about, though, makes the decision easier.
Dr. Albert Ahn, Veterinary Advisor for MYOS Pet, has provided the top five things people should know about pet insurance:
- It can cover unexpected accidents and illness in a budget-friendly way.
- It can be customized to meet your pet’s needs, with a wide variety of policy benefits to choose from.
- Pet insurance is best obtained at a young age to avoid the generally higher costs and exclusions that can accompany senior dog plans. When it’s bought early, the insurance coverage will usually remain unchanged during the life of your pet.
- You can visit any veterinary office you choose with pet insurance.
- While it doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, it will likely cover undiagnosed future illnesses and injuries.
The best time to get pet insurance is when you get your pet—the sooner (and younger), the better. When purchased early, it’s more likely that the conditions your pet may face as he/she ages will be covered, whereas an insurance plan obtained in the pet’s senior years may have many coverage exclusions.
Pet insurance’s purpose is to cover the financial burden of unexpected major health issues and the procedures, medications, and supplements associated with treatment. And different breeds have different needs. Large breed dog owners have found that different breeds usually have variable insurance policy costs associated with them. Smaller breeds, like Chihuahuas, tend to have less expensive insurance policies compared to large breeds, like Great Danes. This is because larger dogs are at higher risk of certain illnesses and injuries.
If you’re able to find a policy that’s financially affordable and provides benefits that are worth the investment, it’s definitely a great decision to opt to insure your pet. Insurance gives you the opportunity to potentially have access to more advanced and expensive treatment options, and it allows you to make the best healthcare choices for your pet in the face of injury or disease without the added stress of significant out-of-pocket costs.