Pet Health Insurance
No doubt, you're looking at the cost of veterinary care and wondering why it is so expensive. However, when compared to medical care, veterinary care is actually very inexpensive. Vets must pay for the same things that human doctors do: equipment, supplies, medication, bandages, staff, and payment on the practice. And they also have to pay the mortgage and feed their families occasionally. But that knowledge still doesn't help you if you're faced with a large vet bill.
Pet health insurance is an alternative to paying for your rottie's health bills. Different plans are available, but most cover major catastrophies such as injuries and illnesses. Some offer preventive care for a higher fee.
Before you rush out and purchase pet health insurance, be aware that insurance companies come and go. Some pet owners have been left with big bills and no coverage. If you do purchase pet health insurance, buy from a company that has a high rating from A.M. Best. Also, many insurance companies don't cover hereditary or other pre-existing conditions. Many require copayments or may have deductibles. Most have caps for the amount they're willing to pay out for certain illnesses, such as cancer.
A.M. Best rating is the rating for insurance companies and those who underwrite them. They're given letter grades such as A, A+, B, B-, A++, etc. The higher the rating, the more financially stable the insurance company is.
Still, having insurance might be the difference between curing your rottie or having him put to sleep, especially if you're ever faced with a serious illness. Having peace of mind might be enough to consider a pet health insurance plan.
The AKC offers health insurance to new purebred pet owners for six months. Adoption agencies such as Petfinder.com offers free health insurance for two months. There are a variety of health insurance plans listed in Appendix A. (Please note that this is not an endorsement of any plan, and that this information is included for educational purposes only.)
