Today, more and more people are getting insurance for their cats and dogs. In 2020, we saw a huge increase in the number of pet owners here in the United States. On top of that, more and more of them consider their furry friends more than just pets – they’re also family members!
As more pet parents learn about getting coverage, one of their first questions is always: How much does pet insurance cost?
That’s what we’ll cover in this article.
Caring for a family member also means you’re prepared if that family member gets sick or has an accident. The costs of vet bills can stack up very quickly if something goes wrong. And, as a pet parent, you’ll never want to feel as if you’ve let your dog or cat down by not being able to help them.
That’s where insurance comes in! For just a little bit of money each month, you can ensure your dog or cat will always get the care they need – sometimes even when they’re doing perfectly fine!
But, you still need to know how those premiums will affect your budget. We’ll walk you through those financial considerations, what you can get with your coverage, and why it’s worth the cost.
Average Premiums For Dog Insurance
The average premiums for dog insurance range from $30 to $50 a month. You might find some as inexpensive as $10, or even ones that reach up to $100! But, the best companies and coverage plans fall into the $30-$50 range.
There are a few factors that affect how much you pay. Those include your dog’s age and breed and where you live. You can’t do much to change those considerations.
But, most companies offer some opportunities to adjust the cost.
Many pet insurance providers offer slightly different packages. You may also be free to choose what gets covered and what doesn’t. That way, you can stay within your budget. Or, you can avoid paying for coverage you know you won’t need.
What You Get
Basic pet insurance should cover vet, hospital, or specialist bills due to accidents, sickness, or diseases. That includes vet visits, emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and prescription medications.
Depending on your plan and how much you pay, you can also get some routine dental work or tooth problems covered. The same goes for diagnostic tests, behavioral therapy, and more.
Some premium insurance companies even offer coverage, reimbursement, or rewards programs for wellness visits, check-ups, and other proactive measures you can take to keep your dog healthy and happy.
What Doesn’t Get Covered
No pet insurance company covers pre-existing conditions. And yes, they’ll check records and medical history when you sign up.
Most providers also don’t cover DNA testing, pregnancy, or cosmetic procedures. But, you’ll still get just about everything you need covered to keep your dog safe and healthy.
Average Premiums For Cat Insurance
The average monthly cost for cat insurance is right around $28, with a usual range of $15 to $30. But, as with dogs, you can find a wide range if you do a lot of research. Some are as low as $10 or up to $100 a month.
Most pet parents don’t need to spend anywhere near $100 a month. At the same time, they won’t get much at all for a bargain-basement price.
As with dogs, it’s essential to understand what coverage you can choose with a policy.
What You Get
Cat insurance typically covers vet visits, hospitalization, surgery, prosthetics, rehabilitation, and prescription medication your pet will need due to sickness, disease, or injury.
From there, premium insurers add more options. You can get wellness rewards for routine visits, for instance. Or have more items covered like cancer treatments, consultant or exam fees, and diagnostic testing.
What Doesn’t Get Covered
Once again, pre-existing conditions are never covered by pet insurance. Nor do most companies cover pregnancy, breeding, DNA testing, or cosmetic surgeries.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It? (Pros & Cons)
Most pet parents today find pet insurance to be worth the cost. But, some don’t see the value – in general, or for their specific situation. Here are the pros and cons of coverage:
Pros
Peace Of Mind
Knowing that your pet is covered financially in the case of an emergency just makes a pet parent feel at ease. They enjoy their time more with their cat or dog, knowing that they won’t end up making difficult financial decisions if something happens.
In fact, most pets with insurance enjoy a healthier life! That’s because a parent with cat or dog insurance is more likely to seek routine care and aggressively address any health issues or other problems.
Lower Vet Bills
The big financial consideration here is how much you spend in the long run. Yes, you’re suddenly paying a little bit each month – even when nothing’s wrong with your cat or dog!
But, that gets weighed against lower vet bills – especially if your cat or dog gets sick or has an accident. In those cases, those monthly payments come out to much less than you would have paid without insurance.
More Treatment Options
With insurance, you have access to treatment options that may have been too expensive without coverage. That means better medication, surgeries, and more. If something happens to your beloved furry family member, you’ll want to do everything you can for them!
Cons
Monthly Cost
Sometimes, making a monthly payment just isn’t in your budget. Or, you know from experience how much you’ll spend on vet bills. In these cases, some pet parents opt to open a separate savings account and add money to it over time.
That way, they’re covered. But, they’re not required to pay a certain amount each month. For people without steady incomes, this is sometimes more desirable.
No Pre-Existing Conditions
If your pet was already in an accident or has cancer or another disease, then your new insurance policy won’t cover that. In those cases, it’s often not worth the monthly cost.
The same can apply to senior pets. Most companies raise the policy prices as cats and dogs get older.
Waiting For Reimbursement
While most pet insurance companies pay around 90 percent of all veterinary costs, they do so by reimbursement. So, on top of your monthly premium, you still have to pay for services, medications, and more upfront. Then, you get your money back.
You’ll still get those savings. But, you need to be prepared to pay for everything first. Most companies send the money in less than a month. And, it helps to have a rainy day fund.
Even in this case, however, you’ll get that money back soon enough. And, you’ll have a healthy, happy cat or dog afterward!
