People all over the world regard their animals as family members. They could keep small creatures, or 100 pound Labs. These pets can expect the same treatment as their human companions; even down to their pet health care plan.
According to recent polls, pet health care spending has risen over 40% in the last two years to roughly $10 billion dollars. According to the founder of Pet's Best Insurance, Jack Stephens, over $2 million of that was spent on pet insurance. By all accounts, that number is expected to top $1 billion by 2011 which makes pet health insurance one of the fastest growing insurance products on the market today.
A pet insurance plan is very similar to one you might have. They can cover any sort of animal, but are generally taken out for dogs and cats. The policies vary in their costs and coverages, and can be as simple or as inclusive as you need.
Like all insurance plans, you always hope you don't need the coverage. But often when dealing with animals, the need is sudden. And, if surgery or emergency treatment is needed, the cost can often soar into the thousands of dollars. Even purebred or pedigreed animals aren't safe from this fact, and they often have more genetic troubles.
In recent months, the ASPCA has noticed a significant increase in the number of people calling it who simply cannot afford the routine vet care that their animal requires.
In general, pet care plans covers veterinary bills arising from injuries and illnesses up to certain limits, as well as third-party liability cover in case an owner becomes liable for damage caused by his or her pet.
In addition, pet insurance policies often cover the cost of advertisements and rewards if a dog or cat goes missing, kennel costs if the owner is hospitalized and the cost of holiday cancellation if a pet requires life-saving surgery.
When selecting a policy, it is vital that pet owners check the terms and conditions that apply, rather than being swayed simply by price.
These pet insurance policies are becoming much more common. This helps all owners feel comfortable knowing that their pets will be taken care of without causing undue financial stress on the family.
Making a choice between expensive health care for a pet or ending the life of that animal companion is never easy. Wallace Sife, who as founder of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement has counseled hundreds of guilt-racked pet owners, said, "There is no right answer."
There is no hard and fast advice on what to do when a pet needs sudden care. It does appear, however, that pet insurance is the financial cure, though it may end up making the emotional decision a little easier.
These are some of the basics of pet insurance plans. There will still be some more research to do when choosing the right plan for your needs. This is often as simple as a web search for companies websites to compare the different plans and coverages. It's important not to get hung up on price as your sole shopping criteria. The cheapest plan may not necessarily be the best deal. Ultimately, you want to be sure that your pet will be provided with the best care should there ever be a need. This will keep you both happy for many years to come.
According to recent polls, pet health care spending has risen over 40% in the last two years to roughly $10 billion dollars. According to the founder of Pet's Best Insurance, Jack Stephens, over $2 million of that was spent on pet insurance. By all accounts, that number is expected to top $1 billion by 2011 which makes pet health insurance one of the fastest growing insurance products on the market today.
A pet insurance plan is very similar to one you might have. They can cover any sort of animal, but are generally taken out for dogs and cats. The policies vary in their costs and coverages, and can be as simple or as inclusive as you need.
Like all insurance plans, you always hope you don't need the coverage. But often when dealing with animals, the need is sudden. And, if surgery or emergency treatment is needed, the cost can often soar into the thousands of dollars. Even purebred or pedigreed animals aren't safe from this fact, and they often have more genetic troubles.
In recent months, the ASPCA has noticed a significant increase in the number of people calling it who simply cannot afford the routine vet care that their animal requires.
In general, pet care plans covers veterinary bills arising from injuries and illnesses up to certain limits, as well as third-party liability cover in case an owner becomes liable for damage caused by his or her pet.
In addition, pet insurance policies often cover the cost of advertisements and rewards if a dog or cat goes missing, kennel costs if the owner is hospitalized and the cost of holiday cancellation if a pet requires life-saving surgery.
When selecting a policy, it is vital that pet owners check the terms and conditions that apply, rather than being swayed simply by price.
These pet insurance policies are becoming much more common. This helps all owners feel comfortable knowing that their pets will be taken care of without causing undue financial stress on the family.
Making a choice between expensive health care for a pet or ending the life of that animal companion is never easy. Wallace Sife, who as founder of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement has counseled hundreds of guilt-racked pet owners, said, "There is no right answer."
There is no hard and fast advice on what to do when a pet needs sudden care. It does appear, however, that pet insurance is the financial cure, though it may end up making the emotional decision a little easier.
These are some of the basics of pet insurance plans. There will still be some more research to do when choosing the right plan for your needs. This is often as simple as a web search for companies websites to compare the different plans and coverages. It's important not to get hung up on price as your sole shopping criteria. The cheapest plan may not necessarily be the best deal. Ultimately, you want to be sure that your pet will be provided with the best care should there ever be a need. This will keep you both happy for many years to come.
About the Author:
Dr. Shirley Timmerson DVM, who has been a vet for over 20 years, offers more in depth information on AKC health insurance pet on her website. This information is all available free at her petcare blog.
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