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Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank; Pet Insurance

Sad cat needs pet insurance

Thanks to Pet Insurance, Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

Unexpected veterinary bills can quickly drain your bank account or emergency fund. Since you never know when disaster will strike, pet insurance helps you ensure that your companion receives the care it needs without straining your finances.

Why Pet Insurance Is a Good Idea

Your pet may be healthy now, but what about next month or next year? Illnesses, infections, and injuries happen without warning and can be costly to treat. If you don't have pet insurance, you may need to use funds earmarked for household expenses or rely on credit cards to pay veterinary bills. When you have pet insurance, your budget won't take a hit due to an unexpected bill.

Pet insurance also offers peace of mind. When you know your pet's health care needs are covered by insurance, you won't have to make a difficult decision about whether you can afford a particular treatment or procedure.

Veterinary care can be expensive, particularly if your pet is injured or has a complicated condition or illness. Even a seemingly minor problem like a stomach issue can be more expensive than you expected. According to the Healthy Paws' Pet Insurance 2019 Cost of Pet Healthcare Report, treatment of a stomach problem could cost as much as $29,000, depending on the treatment. Stomach problems were the top reason both dogs and cats visited the veterinarian based on the report's findings.

During your pet's treatment, the veterinarian may need to analyze your furry friend's blood, take X-rays or ultrasounds, perform endoscopies or surgery, or prescribe medication. Your bill increases with each test, procedure, or medication your pet needs.

Although treatment of a stomach issue could cost tens of thousands of dollars in an extreme case, most pet owners will only pay a few thousand dollars. Of course, a $2,000 bill may easily derail your budget if you don't have pet insurance.

What to Look for When Buying Pet Insurance

When you're comparing pet insurance plans, take a look at:

  • Coverage. Does the plan cover well visits in addition to accidents and illnesses? If well visit coverage is available, will you need to pay more for it? Does the policy list specific conditions and injuries that will be covered, such as cancer, parasites, broken bones, ingestion of foreign objects, etc.? Does it cover routine vaccines?
  • Exclusions. Are certain conditions excluded from the coverage? What about chronic and long-term diseases and conditions? Will the policy cover care for your pet's diabetes or hip dysplasia? In some cases, insurers may cover new illnesses and injuries, but might exclude pre-existing illnesses or chronic conditions.
  • Reimbursements. Most pet insurance plans reimburse you after you pay veterinary bills. You'll need to pay the veterinarian with cash, check, or a credit card, then wait to be reimbursed. Ask the company how long it takes to provide reimbursements and what percentage of your costs will be covered by the plan.
  • Premiums and Other Charges. How much will you pay for the coverage? Are there co-pays and deductibles? Will the premiums go up every year? Will you pay more as your pet gets older? How often are premium payments due?
  • Breed Coverage. Does the insurer cover your pet's breed? If the breed is known to have many health risks, the insurer may choose to decline coverage or not offer coverage for specific conditions.
  • Veterinarians. Can you use the insurance at any veterinary office you want? What if your pet needs to see an emergency veterinarian? Will the policy cover emergency visits to other veterinarians or trips to veterinary specialists?

If you're having trouble deciding between two plans, check out Money's list of 10 best pet insurance companies or call the veterinary office. The staff may be able to offer information about companies that offer the best coverage or promptly reimburse their clients for expenses. Contact our office if you have any questions about pet insurance or your pet's health.

Sources:

AVMA: Do You Need Pet Insurance?

Money: 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies of July 2022, 7/7/2022

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance 2019 Cost of Pet Healthcare Report

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  • "I can not say enough about these wonderful people. Dr. Reda is the most compassionate veterinarian I have ever met. My beloved dog passed from cancer, but they were there every step of the way with any questions or concerns, even when they were oh vacation and I was totally distraught about it, they made sure to address my concerns and never made me feel like I was crazy. There should be more people like Dr. Reda and his staff in this business. I am forever grateful for all of you."
    Patricia Schwartz / East Islip, NY
  • "Dr. Reda and his staff are amazing!! Dr. Reda is the most compassionate vet I have ever met. He took wonderful care of a feral cat I brought in today. And Chauntelle was so brave handling this cat..I am so grateful for their expertise and professionalism."
    Jackie S.
  • "I am happy with the veterinarians response to most issues. The staff is kind and caring and they usually see you the day you called. They're always happy to do refills by phone."
    Stephen B.
  • "I had such a good experience when I brought in a feral cat family during a TNR mission that I returned a month later when I adopted two of the kittens. Dr. Reda is simply a wonderful veterinarian. I appreciate his well-informed, holistic approach to treatment. He & his staff take the time to give me plenty of information and answer all my questions, while doing everything they can to minimize any distress and discomfort my cats experienced during the visit. In short, if you are looking for a vet that is highly knowledgeable, accessible, and compassionate, I cannot recommend All Friends highly enough."
    Anna
  • "Dr. Reda and his staff are so thorough and caring with my dog. I've never had a vet that I really trusted before now that makes me feel like my dog and family's best interests are at heart. Thank you All Friends for making everything easier for my dog and family."
    Michelle T.
  • "Best veterinarian! Very pleasant and wouldn't go anywhere else. Staff is very pleasant too."
    Lynn M.
  • "Had a great experience at All Friends Veterinary today.
    Dr. Reda and his staff quickly diagnosed our Dog's issue. They were very accommodating and compassionate. I would highly recommend his services."
    Steven P.

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