Just as in the people world, dogs’ medical needs will vary throughout their lives. There will be times when your dog becomes injured or sick, and you’ll have to weigh which course of action to take. It’s a lot easier to make the decision that’s best for your dog without having to worry about the cost. That’s where health insurance comes into play.
Health insurance plans can help protect you in case, for example, your dog swallows a small toy or is hit by a car and needs immediate medical care. Such situations might require X-rays, ultrasound, surgery, and/or medication, which can rack up a bill that’s $1,000 or higher. However, just like human health insurance, pet health insurance companies vary greatly in what they cover, how much they’ll cover, deductibles, and various other restrictions. The key is to do your homework and, with the help of your vet, weigh the pros and cons of various plans. (TruPanion, ASPCA, and Healthy Paws are popular ones. The website www.petinsurancereview.com offers good comparisons of most companies.) Just remember that if you’re going to get pet health insurance, the sooner the better—the older your dog is, the more likely preexisting conditions won’t be covered.
If you don’t want to get pet insurance but are worried about affording unexpected medical issues, at least start a savings account for your pet. Add a certain amount to it every month (say, $25), and don’t use it for anything but major bills (regular checkups and vaccinations should be calculated in your overall budget). That way, in case the unthinkable happens to your dog, you can focus on helping her get the medical care she needs without the stress of figuring out how you’re going to pay for it.
