Is Pet Health Insurance A Viable Option For You?

Many people love their pets as if they were their own children, and will go to any length to protect the animal's health and well-being.

So for many pet owners, the comfort, health and overall longevity of their pet's life is extremely important. Pets may not be human but they're a big part of the family, just as our other relatives are.

So for animal lovers, it's only natural that when their furry friends fall ill, they rush to get them medical treatment just as they would do with a child, or any other beloved family member.

But sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances, our pets require extra medical attention and we could use some help in footing the bill would be extremely helpful.

As technology in the veterinary field has become more advanced and developed, the cost of treating animals has increased drastically. Injured or ill pets can require costly procedures that can cost thousands of dollars, something many people have a hard time finding room in their budgets for.

If you find yourself in this boat, you may want to consider pet healthcare. A pet health insurance plan is an economical solution for those with several pets, a chronically sick animal, or someone who just wants to ensure they're getting the most for their money when it comes to maintaining the health of their pets.

If you aren't familiar with the benefits of pet health insurance, here are a few reasons why it's a viable option for animal owners.

- Affordability.

Pet health insurance can be very affordable, which may come as a surprise to many people. Depending on what kind of coverage you're looking for, you can get insurance for around $10 per month. However, if you're looking for a policy that covers routine veterinary care, it could cost you more. For owners looking to cover more than one pet, many insurance companies offer a multi-pet policy discount.

- Versatility.

Unlike a human health plan, a pet health plan can be used at any vet. Instead of the insurance company billing the vet's office, you pay the bill upfront and send in a claim to the insurance company for a reimbursement for the portion that's covered by your insurance company. This can beneficial to people who want insurance, but are concerned about losing their trusted veterinarian. A bug downside to the insurance is that pets with pre-existing conditions may be disqualified from coverage and a pet savings program may be a better option.

Pet health insurance may not be a viable option for everyone. It's best to consider how much you spend on veterinary costs per year and decide if signing up for pet healthcare is worth the money. If pet health insurance isn't right for you, but you still would like to reduce your veterinary costs, there are a few pet savings programs available that offer discounts with a monthly membership fee. These are great because they include all services used in the vet's office, including routine check ups, shots, surgeries, x-rays and other procedures, and pre-existing conditions don't exclude your pet from qualifying.