Millions and millions of people in the US have some kind of pet. The majority over pet owners though, do not have pet insurance. We become very attached to our animals and they become like part of the family. We don't hesitate to purchase insurance for our own health, our cars and homes, so it makes sense that we should consider insurance to protect our pets.



Pet insurance is an industry that has been overlooked and thought to be silly by some people, but if you've had to take your pet to the veterinarian lately, you realize that those trips can be very expensive! Vet costs have risen tremendously over the last decade and the need for pet insurance has grown to offset those high costs. About a year ago, one of my dogs was hit by a passing vehicle. $1200 later, I decided I should take a closer look at insurance for my dogs.

So other than rising costs, what are the main reasons you should consider pet insurance?

1) Accidents or serious illnesses can and do happen to your pets and always seemingly at the worst time. As the owner of several dogs and a cat, I can assure you that when you least expect it something can happen to one of your animals.

2) When an accident or illness does happen and you're given an estimate of the cost to make your pet well again, the last thing you should have to deal with is the stress over the expense of saving your pet. I remember well, the vet telling me that it would cost "at least" $1000 to save my dog! This dog is a part of my family but in the back of my mind, (and I'm ashamed to say this), I still wondered if the cost was worth it? Especially when you know that even with the surgery and treatments, my dog could still die from complications. Fortunately it all turned out well and my dog is happy and healthy today.

3) The financial strain of making or keeping your pet well can be overwhelming. When my dog was injured, it came at a time when that was the last thing in the world I needed to happen! I had recently been laid off from my job and quite frankly we were "over-extended" on bills. I ended up borrowing part of the money from a friend to satisfy the vet bill.

4) When money is an issue, you're more likely to give your pet the "bare minimum" with regards to health care. When you have pet insurance, you can give your pet the care it deserves because cost is no longer a major concern.

Insurance can usually be purchased for anywhere from $20 to $40 per month so it's very affordable, especially if you get hit with a huge vet bill. Various different coverage options are available so you can tailor the insurance to meet your specific needs. Some insurance providers even offer "multi-pet" discounts. Hopefully this article will make pet owners think twice about the usefulness of pet insurance.