The importance of pet insurance | #1 Don't let this happen to you!

Pets are important members of the family, but they also come with a hefty price tag. From food to vet bills, it's easy for pet owners to spend thousands each year. But there is something you can do about it: get your pet insured!

If your dog becomes sick or injured and needs treatment at the veterinarian, you could be looking at a bill in the thousands without insurance. This expense not only affects you financially but emotionally as well. Who wants to see their beloved animal suffer? By getting your pet insured, you'll have peace of mind knowing that just because an accident happens doesn't mean it will break your bank account too. In addition, not having to worry so much about what might happen allows for more happiness now while you're with your pet.

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance is financial protection that pays for veterinary costs when your dog unexpectedly becomes ill or injured. You must get your dogs insured for the future and peace of mind!

Being a responsible pet owner means taking care of your dog at all costs. Unfortunately, many preventable conditions can lead to huge vet bills if you aren't prepared.

Even though it may have been easy in the past to take your dog or cat for annual check-ups and vaccinations, nowadays, they're a little more complicated. Many vets recommend costly tests that could catch severe conditions like heart disease or diabetes in their early stages.

Your pet's physical health is closely linked to its mental state and happiness too.

Minor issues can quickly spiral into much bigger problems if they're not dealt with quickly.

How does pet insurance work?

If you think pet insurance is only needed for certain breeds or animals, then think again! Any animal could become sick or injured. Unfortunately, the price of getting your pets well after an accident can be out of reach for many people. Too often, it leads them to give up their beloved family member. It doesn't have to be that way, though, and insurance can remove a lot of stress from the situation.

Pet insurance works by reimbursing you for your pet's medical costs, such as treatments and hospital expenses set by the policy. If there is a claim to be made, or your dog has an accident, gets sick, the company will pay based on what is stated in the policy.

Make sure you get your dog covered for accidents too! Unfortunately, accidents are the most common reason pet owners have to make a claim.

There are many options available when it comes to choosing your pet insurance plan. You can read more about that here. Choose an option that best suits your needs, but always keep in mind what's suitable for your pup!

Not only does pet insurance protect your dog from illness and injury, but it can also offer financial support in times of serious veterinary emergencies.

Deciding not to get treatment due to treatment costs and instead of putting down a beloved animal is never an easy decision, especially when treatment may still be possible.

Pet insurance can mean the difference between whether your dog lives or dies in certain instances, so it's essential to do your research before deciding.

Cost of pet insurance

How much does it cost?

This is always a good question to have answered, so here it goes! Many companies offer several options for pet insurance, and the price varies per company. For example, you might pay a monthly fee for your dog's coverage, or you could choose to pay a yearly fee. This is all up to you and what works for your lifestyle. You also have the option of determining how much coverage you want. The minimum usually covers accidents, but if you prefer comprehensive coverage, where any sickness or injury is covered, that's an option too! So shop around and see what fits best with your budget.

There are many reasons you should get your dog covered by pet insurance.

Not only does it protect them against illness and injury, but financial support in times of serious emergencies is also possible. But, of course, the best part about having your dog insured is that you don't need to worry when it comes time for treatment - let the insurance company take care of that for you!

Compare the market is always a good place to start when looking for pet insurance.

Is there a catch to getting pet insurance?

There are benefits to getting your dog insured, but don't get too excited. Some people believe pet insurance is terrible because it's another thing they have to pay for on their bills every month, which means more money out of their pockets.

That's not too far from the truth. Unfortunately, you will have to pay a monthly fee in order to get your dog covered, but it's worth it if your pup ever gets sick or injured.

Is pet insurance right for you and your dog? Only you can decide that! Talk to friends and family about their experiences with different policies and try to find one that suits your needs.

If you want to know more about the cost of pet insurance, speak to your vet.

Why should I get my dog insured

Having to deal with significant veterinary bills is stressful enough without worrying about how you'll pay for them.

Not only does it affect your finances, but it can also put a strain on already tense relationships among family members too.

A pet is a member of the family, which means you should not have to make financial decisions based on money. You want your dog to be happy and healthy without limits, so why should you have to suffer too?

With pet insurance, you can rest easy knowing that your dog is covered. With peace of mind comes happiness. Getting your dog insured means you don't have to worry about what might happen if there was an accident or illness!

Don't let this happen to you!

A couple of years ago, we had just moved house, switched bank accounts, and had forgotten to sort out pet insurance payments on a new bank account somewhere in all of the chaos of moving. 

I could kick myself for that!

That same year, I also forgot the timing for her annual vaccinations, and we had to start over again! That couldn't have come at a worse time. We were going away for a family wedding, and she couldn't go to kennels! Luckily we managed to sort an alternative arrangement with a close friend. 

Lex got sick with pancreatitis, a recurring illness. Anyone with a dog knows that nobody will give you insurance once your dog has a pre-existing condition like this without the premiums being high!

We have had quite a few vet bills for Lex over the years, and one was when we had to go to the vet because she wouldn't stop vomiting and almost collapsed. She was so weak and shaky. 

They kept her in while they gave her fluids, medication etc., to get her stable again. So we have been back and forth a few times with this awful illness. 

We had some awful news this week!

We took our little old dog Lexi to the vet because she had blood in her urine. Due to covid restrictions, I still couldn't go into the examination room with her off she went with the lovely veterinary nurse. After a few moments, she returned and asked if I could come through.

I was expecting the vet to tell me that she had a bladder infection again, the same thing which she had been treated for a few weeks ago.

When I heard the words "your dog has bladder cancer", I felt like I had been hit by a bus.

Bladder cancer is incredibly common in older dogs. But it's still devastating to hear those words about your dog, isn't it?

At that moment, I was too upset to decide what the treatment options were he was telling me, and we could get a specialist scan to find out if it had spread. But, unfortunately, the worst thing I took in was that it is inoperable due to the tumour's location.

I didn't want to hear that my dog had "cancer", but it was what it was.

We decided to go with the palliative care option treating the secondary bladder infections and giving her pain medication to keep her comfortable.

I'm sure that most pet owners with dogs diagnosed with bladder cancer know that this is a terminal disease, and just like humans, it's about quality of life.

She is happy in herself for now, and we will give her all the love and cuddles she needs. We will enjoy every moment with her and leave our options open if her condition changes.

If you're thinking about getting a dog, please make getting your furbaby insured your priority. 

Thank you for reading this blog post! 

Originally posted on my personal blog at https://katie-louise.com/the-importance-of-pet-insurance