The True Value of Pet Insurance for Dogs

Most people would say that dogs are like our family members and their significance in our lives cannot be described with words. They bring joy to our lives, cry with us when we are sad, appreciate our presence, show us ever-lasting loyalty, and they are just so adorable that it is impossible not to love them.

A recent study published by the Australian Companion Animal Council (ACAC) revealed that 63% of Aussie households own a pet. Out of this 63%, 40% of these pets are dogs and that means approximately 9 million households have at least one pooch under their roof. It is undeniable that Australia's reputation as a pet-loving country is almost unparalleled and a recent survey showed that a staggering 37% of women said that they would miss their dogs more than their husbands when they are on holiday. So, you can clearly see that dogs aren't just man's best friend...they are everyone's best mate.

In our never ending pursuit to give our pets the best that they deserve, Aussie pet owners spent over $2.2 billion on pet bills alone in 2009.Vet costs aren't going down anytime soon and a growing number of pet owners are finding it difficult to fork out the money needed for first-class treatment on injuries, emergencies or general check-ups. However, pet insurance reviews conducted by the ACAC revealed that less than 5% of owners in Australia have their cats or dogs insured...a shocking figure considering how much we spend on vet bills every year.
Well, almost all of us have insurance for ourselves just in case of an emergency or any other unforeseen circumstances arise. So, why aren't more owners getting dog health insurance to reduce the costs of expensive medical bills?

Financially, dog insurance is a great long term investment and perhaps most pet owners don't realise it. Individually, we would spend an average of $25,000 on pet care services and products including vet bills, throughout our dogs' life. Remember that this figure doesn't include money spent on unforeseen accidents or other surgeries that are needed when our dogs get older. Regular surgeries and medications itself could cost thousands of dollars and most owners who don't have insurance won't be able to foot the bill, and would be forced to say goodbye to their ailing pets.

In other words, pet health insurance isn't only about getting reimbursed for medical costs...it is more about protecting and prolonging the life and happiness of our pets. It gives us peace of mind knowing that our furry companions are covered and we can have the freedom to seek the best medical help available without holding back on expenses. Now, that's the true value of pet insurance.

With Australian insurance providers like Pet Secure giving up to 85% on covers, there is nothing for us to lose when we get dog insurance. In fact, this might prove to be a life-changing experience for both our dogs and us.