Health Insurance For Your Pets - Solid Financial Planning Or Just Silly?
The need for a health insurance plan for ourselves and our families is routinely telegraphed in commercials, articles, and newspapers.
Health insurance protects us from having to pay thousands of dollars for emergency medical care.
It is a prudent part of your overall financial plan.
If you have pets in your family, you know that the possibility exists that they will also have to undergo emergency medical treatment at some point in their lives.
Pets who have chronic conditions as they age may also chew up $500 to $1,000 in vet bills a month for check ups, blood work, x-rays and other tests and procedures as well as medication.
These bills can add up just as quickly as doctor bills.
There are now several dozen companies that offer health insurance plans for pets.
While some people laugh at the concept, others incorporate it into their budgeting to make sure they don't get stuck having to decide whether to have a life-saving procedure done on their family pet.
Health care plans for pets come in as many different combinations as plans for humans.
There are varying deductibles and included services.
Some plans include routine check ups and treatments like wormings or vaccinations.
Unlike human health care plans, most pet insurance plans do not have a co-pay.
Instead, you pay the vet bill in full and then submit the bill to the insurance company for reimbursement.
In order to judge which pet health insurance plan is right for you, compare several plans for premiums and covered services.
In many cases, you will likely find that the increase in premiums for plans that include routine care is more than the actual cost of that care.
If that is the case, budget for the routine care and choose an insurance plan that only covers emergency care.
Ensure that the plan covers any veterinary clinic, especially if you have a long-standing relationship with your vet.
Planning for your pet's health care expenses makes just as much sense as planning for your own.
Taking the time upfront to find the most coverage for the least cost will help your financial planning goals.
Health insurance protects us from having to pay thousands of dollars for emergency medical care.
It is a prudent part of your overall financial plan.
If you have pets in your family, you know that the possibility exists that they will also have to undergo emergency medical treatment at some point in their lives.
Pets who have chronic conditions as they age may also chew up $500 to $1,000 in vet bills a month for check ups, blood work, x-rays and other tests and procedures as well as medication.
These bills can add up just as quickly as doctor bills.
There are now several dozen companies that offer health insurance plans for pets.
While some people laugh at the concept, others incorporate it into their budgeting to make sure they don't get stuck having to decide whether to have a life-saving procedure done on their family pet.
Health care plans for pets come in as many different combinations as plans for humans.
There are varying deductibles and included services.
Some plans include routine check ups and treatments like wormings or vaccinations.
Unlike human health care plans, most pet insurance plans do not have a co-pay.
Instead, you pay the vet bill in full and then submit the bill to the insurance company for reimbursement.
In order to judge which pet health insurance plan is right for you, compare several plans for premiums and covered services.
In many cases, you will likely find that the increase in premiums for plans that include routine care is more than the actual cost of that care.
If that is the case, budget for the routine care and choose an insurance plan that only covers emergency care.
Ensure that the plan covers any veterinary clinic, especially if you have a long-standing relationship with your vet.
Planning for your pet's health care expenses makes just as much sense as planning for your own.
Taking the time upfront to find the most coverage for the least cost will help your financial planning goals.