ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Two out of three American households own pets. While these furry family members are great companions, their medical care can be pricey. Just one unexpected surgery can run thousands of dollars. Many pet owners are turning to pet insurance to offset the costs. But is it worth it?
They’re cute … cuddly … and expensive! In fact, last year, Americans spent 17 billion dollars in veterinary care alone. So should you get pet insurance? The plans can help if your pet needs an unexpected surgery or treatment. Cancer, which attacks 12 million pets a year, can typically set you back about two-thousand bucks in therapies. Most plans cover 70 to 90 percent of the bill. And the monthly payments are affordable; anywhere from 25 to 150 dollars. Also unlike doctors, most vets will accept any pet insurance plan.
But keep in mind: like health insurance, you’ll have a deductible to meet, which can run about 250 dollars for a dog under five years of age. There may be breed restrictions, and if you have older pets, your options might be limited. And many policies don’t cover routine or preventive care.
Right now, about a dozen companies in the u-s sell pet insurance. Some of the largest: Nationwide, Trupanion and Healthy Paws.
Contributor(s) to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Angela Clooney, Videographer and Editor.
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