Tom's Blog
Your pet is your family so making sure your family pet is cared for medically in the case of an emergency makes sense, right? There are different beliefs on whether pet insurance is a good idea, so you must ask yourself “Is pet insurance a wise decision?” Only you can answer that question to determine whether it’s worth the peace of mind should something serious happen to your pet.
Pets Are Unpredictable
Dogs are notorious for swallowing objects, such as a tennis ball, socks, rocks, or the squeaker in their toys. If a large object like that is swallowed, the only way to remove it is through surgery, which can run thousands of dollars. Imagine being handed the veterinarian bill for $5000 and wondering whether your finances can survive that type of hit.
Having a customized pet insurance policy in place for your dog can help financially so that your pocketbook won’t have to absorb the entire bill. Nobody anticipates this sort of emergency happening, but you can’t predict what type of emergency medical crisis may happen to your beloved pets.
Surgery to remove foreign objects or to repair knees are two of the more common types of surgeries that can and do happen that may end up costing thousands in vet bills. In fact, Sadie, one of our own (pictured above) required knee surgery that ran over $4000.
Are You Ready to Run the Risk?
It may be a gamble, but you may have a pet that lives a fairly vet free life, only needing routine care visits and basic upkeep, but what if your pet gets sick requiring a specialist, or tears a ligament in his/her knee requiring surgery?
Some Things to Consider When Contemplating Pet Insurance:
Pet insurance, like pets, comes in all shapes and sizes so it makes sense to find one that is right for you, your pet, and your budget. Choosing to invest in pet insurance gives peace of mind knowing if something serious happens to your pet there is coverage available to assist with the funding.
Below are some considerations to factor when deciding on what kind of pet insurance is right for you:
Choose Higher Deductibles- Always factor the highest amount you can pay out of pocket for deductibles. If you choose a $500 deductible, your pet insurance rate will be lower. Typically deductibles may range from $100-$500.
Choose Coverage Specifically for Serious Injuries and Accidents (excluding routine visits/check-ups and maintenance)– Coverage limits can vary between $2500 and $15,000, which depending on which is right for you can alter your insurance rate. You can save money by focusing on a pet insurance policy that only covers big-ticket vet bills, and not the routine check-ups. Paying for those out of your own pocket is recommended to reduce your annual pet insurance rate. Keep in mind, however, that you can add preventable care coverage to your policy, if money is not a factor.
Consider Discounts for Multiple Pets- Ask your local N.C. independent insurance agent what type of discount you are qualified for when considering coverage for multiple pets in your household.
Inquire About Reimbursement Percentage Amounts- Typically, reimbursement percentage amounts range from 70%, 80%, or 90% of eligible charges on pet insurance. Your local independent insurance agent can assist you in deciding which one may fit your budget the best.
You Decide…Is it Right for You and Your Pet?
You may discover that pet insurance is the right decision for you and your beloved pet(s) and find that it’s not as expensive as you may have once thought. We, at Paramount Insurance Agency, are pet lovers too and understand how much your pet means to you. We can assist you in a custom designed pet insurance policy that will provide the peace of mind that knowing your pet will be in good hands should an emergency happen. Call us TODAY!
