We have seen big changes in veterinary medicine in the last 50 years. As vet medicine has paralleled human medicine, we now see the same type of set-up with general practices and specialties in surgery, internal medicine, radiology, and many more. While these experienced doctors have saved countless more of our fur babies’ lives, the cost for these services has unfortunately skyrocketed.
Recently while visiting Seattle, I accompanied my daughter to her new puppy’s first exam. Sipping my latte, I tried to look nonchalant as we went through the estimated cost of her first year of care. I was barely able to contain the bit of coffee in my mouth with the shock of the $1,800 cost of spaying her! While I enjoy a lower income lifestyle (partly by choice but mostly not), I wonder how people less fortunate are able to afford pet care. I am so grateful for the lower cost of living here in Alabama, but even here, complete pet care can be expensive!
So what about pet insurance? It depends on your situation. If you are like most of the unintentional pet owners with 8 to 15 pets, even with the multi-pet discounts the cost of pet insurance may still run more than that of your car insurance! Yes, I’m probably exaggerating just a little. (Your best bet in this situation is to find a vet who sympathizes with your situation.)
There are so many things to consider when choosing pet insurance. Different insurance plans offer varying levels of coverage:
Basic plans typically cover accidents and illnesses, which can save you from mortgaging your house to save your pet. (I really wish that was a joke, but I’ve heard about it happening more than once.) Often, people without pet insurance will have to put their friend to sleep because they could not afford the care that could have saved them. This is where pet insurance really pays off. Like car insurance, you may grudgingly pay it every month but sure are grateful you had it when your car is totaled!
Comprehensive plans may include wellness care, prescription medications, and alternative therapies. (Of course, we recommend a plan that covers alternative therapies because we understand how effective and money saving they can be!)
Comprehensive care especially pays off when you purchase it while your pup or kitty is young, and you have chosen a breed that tends to come with its own specific tendencies toward certain illnesses. Pit bulls and bulldogs tend to have chronic skin and allergy issues; boxers and Bengal cats can have heart complications; schnauzers are prone to recurrent pancreatitis; Australian shepherds have a low seizure threshold; dachshunds and Maine coon cats can have back issues; and small-breed dogs and many cats are prone to severe dental diseases. The list goes on!
Also be aware if your insurance covers genetic birth defects like those cute little squishy face breeds like Frenchies and pugs that may need a surgery that widens their nostrils to help them breathe better. Gotta love those uncomplicated mixed breeds!
Now that you know the different types of coverage, you need to choose a provider. I could literally feel my eyes spinning after a mind-numbing afternoon of researching various pet insurance providers. I compared their coverage options, premiums, deductibles, reimbursement rates, and policy limitations. I searched reviews looking for comments about policy transparencies, the flexibility to change plans, the claims process, customer service and then asked for recommendations from friends, family and other pet owners.
I chose ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) because their website (aspcapetinsurance.com) was the easiest to understand without having a degree in business finances. It had a side-by-side comparison which helped put this ordeal in perspective and prevented me from running screaming from the room. Soon I was able to wrap my head around the process and understand the fine print; when I was feeling more comfortable with the lingo, I called a couple of the different companies with a few unanswered questions.
I hope this sheds some light on the topic, and I am confident that with a bit of your own due diligence and a couple strong cups of coffee, you will decide if pet insurance will work for you and which company will serve you best!
Julie Bjorland is a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) and has been working alongside Goutam Mukherjee, DVM, MS, Ph.D. (known as Dr. G) for the past 20 years. To suggest a topic for discussion, email [email protected]
