Pet owners know how costly veterinary care can be, even routine procedures and visits are expensive. If your pet becomes ill suddenly, or is injured in an accident the resulting bills can make a big dent in your Pet insurance savings.

Although the US lags behind most of Europe in terms of how many domestic pets are covered by pet health insurance, it is beginning to catch up. More and more pet owners are realizing just how important good pet insurance can dog insurance be!

Think about it for a minute – if Fido were to be seriously injured or fall ill tomorrow, would you be able to afford a veterinary bill for $1500, $2000 or $3000 plus? If not, you could find yourself faced with a heartbreaking, life-or-death decision. No pet lover ever want to find themselves in that situation.

If you have pet health insurance you (and your pet) can be spared the agony and heartbreak of being unable to afford critically important veterinary care in a time of crisis. Just as your own medical cover/health plan is there for you when you fall ill, Fido’s health insurance will be there for him.

There are many different pet health insurance companies, all offering plans that are similar in the respect that they all require annual premiums, have deductibles and offer a range of different coverage options to suit individual needs.

However, you’ll also find may differences between pet insurance companies and their individual policies. Before you make a decision, read the small print carefully and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The following list is an example of the kind of things to look for (it’s not a comprehensive list though, it’s up to you to do your homework!)

Some pet insurance policies have age limits, both minimum and maximum, and they can vary considerably between providers.

There can be different ‘waiting periods’ (the time it takes for your coverage to come into effect) from one provider to the next

There are different attitudes and regulations concerning the cover (or lack of) for pre-existing conditions

Some pet health insurance providers may exclude certain breeds (often larger breeds) who are prone to particular hereditary or congenital illnesses or problems