Should I Get Insurance For My Pet in Cincinnati, OH?

If you have a pet, you have probably heard of pet insurance. Have you ever wondered if you needed it? Just like humans, pets get sick, and vet visits can be expensive. Maybe you can afford those vet bills, or perhaps you cannot. Reach our Cincinnati, OH, animal hospital‘s article to find out more about pet insurance.

pet insurance cincinnati, ohWhat is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance is just like insurance for humans. Each month or year, you pay a certain amount and they help with vet bills. Pet insurance is available for dogs, cats, and other pets.

Most Pet Insurance Plans Cover the Following:

  • Chronic diseases
  • Accidental injuries
  • Dental illnesses
  • Unexpected illnesses
  • Hereditary conditions
  • Prescription medications
  • Diagnostic testing
  • Surgery
  • Cancer diagnosis and treatments
  • Emergency exam fees

Additional Coverage May Be Available for an Additional Fee:

  • Alternative treatments
  • End of life care
  • Euthanasia
  • Cremation or burial
  • Breeding and pregnancy expenses
  • Behavioral modification therapy
  • Lost pet advertising and rewards
  • Vacation cancellation fees

Most Plans Do Not Cover:

  • Pet supplies
  • General routine vet visits
  • Cosmetic procedures
  • Elective surgeries
  • Preventive care
  • Spaying or neutering
  • Vaccinations
  • Boarding or daycare
  • Pet property damage
  • Personal liability claims

Cost of Pet Insurance

The cost of pet insurance is different in different areas. Some things that affect the cost of pet insurance are where you live, the age of your pet, the breed of your pet, any additional customizations to your insurance plan, and whether you qualify for any discounts.

  • The average monthly cost of pet insurance for dogs ranges from $10 to $100.
  • The average monthly cost of pet insurance for cats ranges from $10 to $50.
  • The average monthly cost for insurance for other pets is from $10 to $50.

Pros of Pet Insurance

The biggest pro for pet insurance is that for a couple hundred dollars a year, you can be covered in case of major vet bills. This not only saves you money, but it also ensures you don’t need to have the money on hand in case of an emergency.

For instance, if your cat needs surgery, it might cost $1600. You would pay your deductible and that is it. You would not have to have $1600 available to take care of your cat. You could end up saving $1000.

In addition, after your yearly deductible is met, you do not have to pay for any other procedures.

Cons of Pet Insurance

Each year as your pet ages the cost of your pet insurance will go up. This means you pay more each year.

If your pet never gets sick, you paid money for peace of mind, but never saved any money since major medical bills never came.

If you let your pet insurance lapse, or if your pet has a pre-existing condition, pet insurance will either by very expensive or unavailable.

What Do I Really Need?

When considering pet insurance, it is important to consider probabilities. For instance, how likely is it for your pet to get cancer? Or kidney disease? If the chances are high, then pet insurance is important before your pet gets sick.

What if you do not know the probabilities? Then consider whether you can afford big vet bills. If you can afford $50 a month but can’t afford a big one-time payment of $1000 or more, then pet insurance is a good idea.

If your pet is young and healthy, get insurance now if there is any chance that they may be predisposed to get sick later. For instance, feline kidney disease is quite common. For this reason, it is important to have pet insurance for your cat if you cannot pay the vet bills associated with this.

When deciding on pet insurance plans, do your research. What breed is your cat or dog? Some breeds are more prone to certain conditions. This will affect not only your potential vet bills in the future but also the cost of your pet insurance.

Average Cost of Common Procedures

  • Cancer treatment for dogs and cats costs about $4000.
  • Diabetes treatment costs about $2000 to $3000.
  • Treatment of broken bones costs about $2000 to $3000.
  • Treatment to remove a foreign object that your pet ingested costs about $3,500.
  • Treatment for a heart murmur costs about $1000 to $1,500.
  • Treatment for arthritis costs about $500 to $1000.
  • Treatment for bladder infections or UTIs is about $400 for dogs.
  • Treatment for bladder infections or UTIs is about $1000 for cats.
  • Treatment for feline kidney disease costs about $1000 to $1,500 a year.
  • Treatment for dental disease in cats and dogs costs about $500 to $1000.
  • Treatment for eye problems in cats and dogs is usually a couple hundred dollars.

Best Pet Insurance Plans Available

ASPCA Pet Insurance

ASPCA Pet Insurance was rated the best for pets with special conditions. They are devoted to preventing animal cruelty and pride themselves on have little to no wait before treatment.

Embrace Pet Insurance

Embrace is rated as the best for benefits coverage and flexibility. They have a variety of different plans to fit everyone’s needs.

Figo Pet Insurance

Figo Pet Insurance was rated best for quick responses to accidents. They have competitive pricing and a shorter waiting period for accident claims.

Lemonade Pet Insurance

Lemonade received a rating as the best pet insurance for kittens and puppies. The cost of this insurance is competitive. They offer a variety of plans.

ManyPets Pet Insurance

ManyPets received a rating of best for lowest out-of-pocket expenses. ManyPets has a variety of customization options and competitive pricing.

Nationwide Pet Insurance

Nationwide Pet Insurance does not offer as many options and customizations as the other plans on this list. However, it was rated the best unlimited plan. It has competitive pricing and a fairly low deductible.

Pets Best Pet Insurance

Pets Best Pet Insurance offers a $5000 plan and an unlimited plan. They offer a large range of deductible options. They are rated best for deductibles.

Prudent Pet

Prudent Pet’s insurance plans were rated best for extras. Their unlimited plan covers more than most and offers a variety of customizations.

Spot Pet Insurance

Spot Pet Insurance has been rated as the best pet insurance for annual coverage choices. This pet insurance offers a variety of options for every budget. They have plenty of ways to customize your plan to fit your needs.

TrustedPals Pet Insurance

TrustedPals Pet Insurance plans are rated best for Service Dogs. The available plans offer a variety of options and customizations.

Let Our Cincinnati, OH, Veterinarians Know If You Have More Questions About Pet Insurance

With all that in mind, take a moment and consider your options. You can search any of the plans listed above and see if they meet your needs. With this information you have what you need to make an informed decision about your pet and whether you need insurance.

If you have additional questions about pet insurance, our Cincinnati, OH, veterinarian can help! Make sure to let us know during your pet’s next vet visit. To schedule an appointment, give our animal hospital a call at (513) 531-7117.