Why You Need Dog Insurance

In today's tight economy, many dog owners are trying to be frugal on their dog's medical care. However, they often find themselves faced with difficult decisions should their beloved pet become seriously ill or get injured. Dog owners sometimes find themselves with an agonizing decision to make. Do they spend the money to treat their pet with state of the art care or try to find an option that's less expensive? Some pet owners are even faced with having to euthanize their dog, rather than treating them, for financial reasons.

This is where having dog insurance can helpful. However, deciding if pet insurance is right for you and your dog can be difficult. Dog owners must ask themselves whether they can afford a large, unexpected vet bill. If the answer is no, dog insurance might be worth considering.

Today, veterinary medical care, including diagnostic tests and treatment options, is becoming more sophisticated and, therefore, more expensive. Treatments and procedures that were unheard of just a few years ago are now available and employed regularly. With this advance in technology comes a higher price many dog owners cannot afford.

Statistics show that veterinary costs can rival human medical costs. Illnesses and injuries that are common in many breeds can end up costing dog owners the thousands of dollars if they decide to treat their pet. This has left dog owners who cannot afford the high prices with few options. Dog insurance gives dog owners the peace of mind and security of knowing that they can treat their dog's problems, should costly medical issues arise.

Having dog insurance means not pet owners won't be forced to choose between costly veterinary medical treatments and the budget. Dog owners won't have to decline treatments, or consider euthanasia, due to a limited budget. If an unexpected expense would break the budget, pet insurance is worth considering.

Dog owners should also know that there are a variety pet insurance coverage options available. For example, wellness coverage is a basic pet insurance plan that covers annual vaccines and other routine wellness care that is critical to the long-term health of your dog.

Once you've decided to purchase dog insurance, ask friends and family who have pets whether they have it and, if so, where they got it. Other dog owners, your vet and your local animal shelter are also excellent resources. A quick search online can check out companies that offer dog insurance as well.

Once you have determined which companies you are interested in purchasing from, explore the policies they offer and read the fine print before signing on the dotted line.

Some of the questions you want to ask are:

• How will my claims be processed and paid?
• What is included in my coverage? Will my policy have drug and dental coverage?
• How do I get reimbursed? Will my vet be able to handle the billing for my claims or is that my responsibility?
• What will cause my premiums to go up? Will I have to pay more as my dog gets older?
• Will my plan cover pre-existing and hereditary conditions?
• Will my plan cover conditions that are chronic or reoccurring?
• Are there any financial limits to my coverage?

While experts agree that having dog insurance can make sense financially, they also recommend checking with your vet about your dog's health status. If your dog is older, already in poor health or has a condition that will not be covered then choosing dog insurance may not be cost-effective, appropriate or necessary. However, if your dog is younger, healthy and you plan to share many years together, then having dog insurance can give you peace of mind and years of companionship.

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