Pet Medical Insurance
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Pet health insurance offers family pets coverage for veterinary care when injuries or illnesses occur. With many animals being a part of their human families, companions, guardians and best friends, some people want to insure their well being with coverage. These policies offer coverage for office visits, routine care, illnesses and emergency care. Terminal illnesses are usually not covered, though. With medical costs for pets rising and the average vet visit costing $100 to $150, opting for pet medical insurance is an option some may choose.
Due to the high cost of animal care, many decisions regarding their care are based on economics rather than what is best for the animal. Coverage may sound like a really good deal, but it does come at a cost. The average monthly cost of a policy ranges between $9 and $25, thus yearly costs can be hundreds. Although similar to human health care, pet medical insurance varies in coverage and price. Premiums for policies will depend on the type of animal, the age and the health.
The premiums can increase as much as 50% as the animal ages and there are annual limits. Some insurers offer discounts for multiple pets, although there is usually a deductible and co-payments. The annual cost may not seem very much for those who have a vet bill in the thousands of dollars, though. The decision to get pet medical insurance will have to be a personal one. Deciding may not be an easy decision, as aside from the monetary cost of pet health insurance, many companies that sell the policies have gone out of business leaving the policyholders hanging.
Less than 1% of pets in the United States are covered, whereas approximately 25% of pets in other countries have coverage. The costs of pet care in the United States is said to be more expensive. Those who feel the need to cover their animal with pet health insurance should compare the different policies offered. Look for discounts, compare the policies and read the fine print to know what's excluded. If a dog is 9 years old or older or a cat 11 years old, the premiums will be more expensive. Whatever one's choice in deciding to get pet health insurance or not, the decision does not in any way reflect how much a pet owner loves their animal. God cares for pets just as much as owners do. "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10).
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