When asked if he was a dog or cat person, an investigative reporter for Consumer Reports answered, “Both.” He is the proud father of a dog named Logo and a cat named Phoebe. He was recently injured.
The reporter said this: “We opened the door and Phoebe came in, and she was very timid and kept low to the ground and she had little spots on her back legs. So we thought, ‘What’s going on? I was like, ‘What?’
He didn’t have pet insurance, so Phoebe’s treatment was out of pocket. But pet insurance was one thing that was always on his mind.
So is that something to consider? For the first time, CR has evaluated and rated eight pet insurance companies based on a survey of pet insurance members. The survey looked at insurance premiums, coverage, claims procedures, and whether people can choose which veterinarian they see.
CR found that most people are not very satisfied with their pet insurance. Six of his insurance companies had medium overall satisfaction scores, and two had the lowest ratings.
What you need to know about pet insurance
If you’re considering pet insurance, keep the following in mind:
- Pre-existing conditions are usually not covered.
- There is usually an annual limit. If you reach that limit, you will have to pay out of pocket.
- You may be responsible for paying the provider directly and filing for reimbursement with your insurance company.
So, is pet insurance worth it? If you’re looking for a return on investment, maybe not so much. But if you value peace of mind, it may be something you want to pursue.
Other pet health insurance options
Another option is telemedicine, or virtual care, which the reporter used. He received instructions on how to clean the wound and a prescription for antibiotics, which were delivered to his home.
After that, Phoebe made a good recovery.
Another option is to take your pet to an accredited veterinary school. There, you may receive discounts on everything from daily care to spaying/neutering.
