Is Pet Insurance Worth it?

Pet insurance was rare just a decade ago. Even today it is not widespread but is becoming more popular. So is pet insurance worth it? That depends which side you're on in the following investigation.

Veterinary bills are the second largest expense of pet ownership. An emergency or life-threatening illness can cost you thousands. NBC2 investigators in Florida interviewed 2 pet owners who were grateful they had insurance for their dog.

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet owners now are demanding better services for their pets. Many veterinarian centers now have specialists in every area such as Neurology, Cardiology, Ophthalmology and Dermatology.

This is when pet insurance may be worth it. Typical pet insurance covers:

• Accident and Injuries
• Common, Chronic and Serious Illness such as Cancer
• Surgeries
• Dental illness
• Emergency care
• Prescription Medication (Allergies, Antibiotics etc)
• Hospitalization
• Breed-specific and Hereditary conditions
• Diagnostic testing

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Pet insurance almost never covers pre-existing conditions. If you are considering it, you would want to get it early in your pet's life or before a condition develops. Getting pet insurance for a pre-existing condition may not be worth it.

Most insurance plans work in reimbursement. This means you may have to come up with money up-front if your pet has an emergency. Others allow you to pay only the amount you’re responsible for to the vet and the insurance company will send the rest.

Is Dental Care covered by pet Insurance?

Good dental care is essential to the overall health of your pet. Accident and Illness plans normally cover periodontal disease and other dental issues provided they are not pre-existing conditions.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease by age 3. You would want to have your coverage in place before this occurs.

What is not covered by pet insurance?

No pet insurance plans as of this writing cover pre-existing conditions. Here are typical exclusions according to Embrace Pet Insurance:

• Routine veterinary care (Wellness plans are available)
• Pre-existing conditions
• Breeding, whelping, & pregnancy
• Injury caused deliberately by you or any other person residing in your home
• DNA testing or cloning
• Injury or illness resulting from fighting, racing, cruelty, or neglect
• Cosmetic procedures such as tail docking, ear cropping, & dew claw removal unless medically necessary
• Avian flu or nuclear war

Is pet insurance worth it? NBC2 Florida Investigates

The pet owners featured in the video below have a dog. Like most pet owners, they love and treat their dog like family.

Their dog needed eye surgery, had to have its stomach emptied 3 times, and event contracted botulism. Their dog was very weak, could not stand or walk.

But all of these major costs were covered with pet insurance. The dog owners claimed the money spent on pet insurance was well worth it and saved them thousands!

What is the average cost of pet insurance?

From our research, pet insurance costs vary widely. Typical premiums can range from $25 to $100 per month depending on the amount of coverage. According to consumer reports, insurance picks up about 80% of the cost while the consumer picks up the remaining 20%.

Veterinary Dr. Randy Eisel believes pet insurance is worth it as some pet surgeries can cause upwards of $10,000. If you are unable to afford an expensive surgery, having pet insurance would enable you to give your pet the best care it needs.

If you are the type of pet owner who would go into debt to pay these types of costs if your pet needed it, pet insurance could save you thousands.

Does pet insurance go up if you file a claim?

According to Embrace, they do not raise rates due to submission of claims. Policy premiums may increase over time due to:

• The pet getting older
• Increases in veterinary costs
• Changes in overall trends in the pet population

How many pet owners have pet insurance?

In the United States, about 24% of pet owners have pet insurance for their cats or dogs. This is based on a 2023 survey a Harris Poll.

• Insured pets: In 2023, there were nearly 5.7 million insured pets in the U.S., a 17% increase from 2022. 
• States with the most insured pets: California, New York, and Florida have the largest share of insured pets. 
• Generation Z: Generation Z pet owners are more likely to have insurance than other generations.