No matter how old your dog is, it’s not too late to secure him. Getty Images
Owning a dog can be expensive. Food, treats, grooming, and other expenses add up quickly, leaving many owners looking for ways to save. While there are many ways to cut your budget, one thing you shouldn’t skimp on is pet insurance.
Vet bills are one of the biggest expenses dog owners face in their lifetime. And when your dog is sick or injured, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you can afford the care he needs. Pet insurance relieves you emotionally and financially by reimbursing you for up to 90% of the cost of the insured care.
If you’ve been procrastinating on applying for pet insurance, now is the time to do so. Start your search for pet insurance by checking prices online now.
Why you should get pet insurance for your dog now
The best time to get pet insurance for your dog is now. Here’s why.
It will only get more expensive
The cost of your pet insurance will depend on several factors, including your dog’s age, breed, and medical history. However, one thing is generally true: the longer you wait for insurance cover, the more expensive it becomes.
Older dogs are more likely to get sick or injured than young ones. This makes insurance more risky, which translates into higher premium costs.
“It’s not difficult to get pet insurance [for] older animals. However, the annual or monthly rate can be many times higher than for a young, healthy pet,” Ashley Rossman, DVM, co-owner of Glen Oak Dog and Cat Hospital, recently told CBS News.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should forgo pet insurance for your senior dog. It still offers them many benefits. However, act sooner rather than later to get the best possible insurance coverage at the best price available.
Coverage options will be limited
Most policies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions or health conditions prior to applying for insurance. The longer you wait to get pet insurance, the more likely it is that your dog will contract one of these diseases, which you will then have to pay for out of pocket, even if you buy insurance later.
“Don’t wait until you have a problem to get insurance—get your pets checked when they’re healthy,” says Sarah Gorman, DVM, CCRP, chief veterinarian at Small Door Veterinary. “Once something is in a medical record, it usually results in exclusion from coverage of an entire body system!”
Get a free quote in 30 seconds to see how much pet insurance you can cover.
When they get sick or injured, it’s too late
It’s easy to cancel pet insurance while your pet is still reasonably healthy. But waiting until you face a hefty vet bill won’t do you any good. By the time you realize that you actually need coverage, it’s too late to reap all the benefits.
Yes, you can still apply for insurance if your pet is ill or injured, but it will not cover pre-existing conditions. You also have to complete a mandatory waiting period before the insurance cover takes effect. Therefore, it is best to get insurance coverage before your pet requires care.
“One of the hardest parts of my job is the financial discussions surrounding medical treatments,” says Georgina Ushi Phillips, DVM and veterinary writer for NotABully.org. “Of course, it’s even more difficult for customers who are faced with major decisions about their pet and their financial situation.
“With pet insurance, more people can avoid these difficult situations and afford the treatments and procedures they need without the stress. This is especially true in the case of medical emergencies, which can be quite expensive and are obviously unplanned.”
The final result
If you don’t have pet insurance for your dog, now is the time to get one. In fact, the present is the perfect time to buy it.
“The costs are increasing for everyone, including pet owners,” says Rossman. “Veterinary medicine costs continue to rise at an unprecedented rate…While most Americans can budget for routine veterinary care, it’s often difficult to budget for emergency and specialty medications, which can cost thousands of dollars. Therefore, it is in the best interests of pet owners to obtain health insurance when their pet is young.”
No matter how old your pet is, it’s not too late to secure them. You never know what the future holds and any help you can get with paying your medical bills is worth it.
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