Pet Insurance Review – Buy Side by Side from WSJ

As soon as I (stupidly) got my first dog out of school, I was drowning though. Student loan debt And Rental payments For a small apartment outside of Philadelphia. As my dog ​​quickly became a part of my family, I worried about how I would handle the emergency vet bill. I didn’t have much extra money.

Then I saw an advertisement Pet insurance At my vet’s office, so I researched some options online and finally chose a basic emergency plan with a reputable company. At the time, it seemed that everyone, including the debt counselor, told me that I was wasting my money paying off my loan. They warned me that the insurer won’t refund any claims, so I’m throwing money down the drain.

But after a few months of signing up, he showed me how valuable accident coverage is. And over the past decade, as the pack of animals has expanded, my pet insurance policy has saved me thousands of dollars.

In the years since I started working as an insurance writer, it covers everything Life insurance to the Car cover. The industry’s sales forward reputation is often well-deserved.

There are many unnecessary insurance products out there, but for most pet owners, pet insurance is totally worth it. (One of the main exceptions is those with large pets with pre-existing conditions. In this case, insurance is cost-effective and does not cover treatments for these conditions.)

So how exactly do I get paid for my pet insurance? Here’s how Freak’s accent plays out. My older dog, the Samoyed, is a very high-energy breed, so I gave her a lot Chew and bone To keep her busy while I’m at work. She accidentally bit down on her bone, breaking her teeth and damaging her jaw. I rushed her to the emergency vet which cost $300 to get in the door – the vet said she needed surgery right away – up to $2,000.

Luckily I had one credit card To cover the cost upfront, and when she was home and safe, I filed a claim with my insurer. Two weeks later I was pleasantly surprised to receive a check for $1,750, minus the $250 cost of the procedure.

Without pet insurance, I would not have been able to pay that bill on my own. I had to make regular payments on my credit card balance, and it would take months (if not years) to pay off the full amount with interest. Plus, since I paid my card for the vet, I couldn’t use credit to cover other expenses.

That experience was enough to convince me of the value of pet insurance. I now have three dogs ranging in age from two to 11. And even though I’m better off financially now, I still have coverage.

Pet insurance is cheaper for young pets; Coverage for the two smaller dogs is about $35 a month each. But premium pets grow older. For my old dog, coverage now costs around $140 a month.

I’ve paid $10,491 in pet insurance premiums over the past 10 years, according to my records. That’s a lot of money. But all three dogs love to fight, play and get into mischief. As a result, injuries occur.

Since becoming a pet owner, I have filed a total of $15,550 in claims for emergency medical expenses. Insurance paid $14,300 of those costs, so pet insurance saved me after paying $3,809 in premiums.

My tips for buying pet insurance

Pet insurance companies vary in terms of coverage options, exclusions, and cost. I recommend that you review the sample policies before choosing a company. There are three main points to look for:

• Exclusions: Pay special attention to what insurance does not cover. For example, some companies do not cover knee or hip issues in pets registered after six years of age. If you own a breed prone to those issues, that’s a big problem.
• Stay Times: All pet insurers exclude pre-existing conditions and usually have a waiting period before they will cover claims. of Best pet insurance companies Have two-week waiting periods for both accidents and illnesses.
• Care Requirements: The policy document outlines your responsibilities as an owner to ensure your pet is covered. Depending on the company, you may need to take your pet for annual wellness and dental exams; If you do not follow these requirements or do not keep your pet’s medical records, the company will reject your claim.

As I found out the hard way, a single emergency vet visit can cost thousands of dollars. Pet insurance reduces the stress I feel at the vet because I don’t have to worry about cost when making medical decisions. The peace of mind it gives me is priceless.

GIsn’t it a question of money? Buy it and get the answer. email [email protected].

Include your full name and location and we may publish your response.