Pet Health Insurance: Insuring the Family Dog

For every dog owner, protecting our dog from illness, injury and disease is of primary concern from the day the dog enters the home. Every effort is made to ensure the best nutrition, living environment and fitness is provided. Unfortunately, for some dogs, illness and injury are inevitable. For these dog owners, the cost associated with caring for the family pet, can be quite burdensome. For this reason, pet insurance has become a financial investment which can protect not only your savings but also ensure your dog receives the optimal veterinary care available.

Offering many options to the dog owner, pet insurance programs are quite affordable. With basic, catastrophic plans beginning as low as $10 per month, your dog can be insured for significant accidental injuries. For a slightly higher premium, usually at less than $1 per day, coverage can include preventative care, vaccinations and coverage for a variety of illnesses, diseases and injury. As a general rule, most pet insurance plans provide preventative care with no deductible and injury and illness protection with a deductible as low as $50.00 and a 20 percent co-insurance, or co-pay.

Disadvantages to pet insurance involve the exclusions for conditions such as cancer and exclusions for pre-existing conditions. However, for an additional premium, non pre-existing conditions, such as cancer, may be insured through the addition of a policy rider. Pet insurance policies, unfortunately, may also impose an additional premium for owners of dogs considered of “special” breed. These dogs will be specifically defined as canines with a historical greater incidence of illness and disease. Rather than not insuring these breeds of dog, the pet insurance carrier will impose an additional premium and provide the same basic coverage afforded to all dog breeds.