Top 10 Reasons to Buy Pet Insurance

Guest Writer: Lindsay Stordahl

It’s hard to know whether or not pet insurance is right. It’s not an easy decision. We want our dogs and cats to be covered in an emergency, yet we don’t want to be paying extra premiums if we don’t have to. To help you with your decision, I put together this list of the top 10 reasons to buy pet insurance.

1. It gives you peace of mind
You just never know when an accident will occur with pets. Puppies and dogs will eat anything, cats get into everything and you never know when someone’s unfriendly dog will approach your dog and bite. If you have insurance, you will be backed in these types of situations. Vet bills often rack up into the thousands, and you want to have coverage for your pets.

2. It can save you money
Paying $25 or so per month adds up, but it is less than the thousands of dollars you might end up paying out of pocket if an emergency does occur. Going without insurance is risky if you don’t have money set aside for emergencies.

3. There are a variety of plans
Dozens of pet insurance companies provide hundreds of different plans. There is a plan out there for everyone, you just have to do your research to figure out what is best for you and your dog or cat.

4. You can pay what you want
Each company offers a variety of options. If you want coverage for routine care and not for long-term illnesses or accidents, then you can get by with that and pay a cheaper rate. Or maybe you only want coverage for long-term illnesses such as cancer. You can save money there by opting out of coverage for routine care like vaccinations. The insurance will be for things you can’t plan for.

5. Some breeds have a lot of health issues
If your dog is diagnosed with epilepsy or hip dysplasia or some other issue at a young age, purchasing insurance is probably a good idea. These problems will only increase as the dog gets older.

6. Some companies cover senior dogs
Most of us would be more likely to buy insurance for a senior dog than a young dog. However not all companies will cover a dog once it is 8 years old. You’ll have to look around for the best company and plan, but know that there are companies out there who will help you take care of your aging dog.

7. It’s a good option if you are not financially stable
If covering a $200 to $500 bill would be difficult for you, then consider insurance. If credit cards are your emergency fund, then insurance is probably a good option. If you don’t have it, then what will happen to your pet if he gets really sick?

8. Are there discounts for homes with more than one dog?
With most companies, you will get a discount for all your other pets once you insure one pet.

9. It’s our responsibility to be there for our pets
Pets are a commitment. When we adopt a dog, we agree to care for that animal throughout its life. Buying pet insurance is a way to make sure that pet will be OK.

10. Pets are family
You would probably worry if your children or spouse went without health insurance. Well, pets are family too. It is more and more common to see pets taking vacations with us, dogs getting fancy toys, the best food and expensive grooming. Think about what’s more important, your pet’s health or fancy toys? Remember to put the most important things first.

What do you think about pet insurance?

About the writer:
Lindsay Stordahl maintains the popular blog That Mutt: A Dog Blog which covers all topics related to dogs from training, behavior, and adoption to personal stories about her mutt Ace.