Far Hills Animal Clinic Logo

Call Us Today

(937) 434-8224

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Staff
    • The Katie Fund
  • Services
    • Appointments & Services
    • Surgery
    • Outside Services
      • Referral Veterinary Hospital & Services
      • Boarding Facilities & Pet Sitters
      • Dog Behavior & Training Facilities
      • Pet Loss & Grieving
  • Patient Center
    • What to Expect
    • Payment Options
    • Articles
    • Veterinary Resources
  • Online Store
  • Contact Us
  • Emergency
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank; Pet Insurance

Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank; Pet Insurance

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Sad cat needs pet insurance

Thanks to Pet Insurance, Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

Unexpected veterinary bills can quickly drain your bank account or emergency fund. Since you never know when disaster will strike, pet insurance helps you ensure that your companion receives the care it needs without straining your finances.

Why Pet Insurance Is a Good Idea

Your pet may be healthy now, but what about next month or next year? Illnesses, infections, and injuries happen without warning and can be costly to treat. If you don't have pet insurance, you may need to use funds earmarked for household expenses or rely on credit cards to pay veterinary bills. When you have pet insurance, your budget won't take a hit due to an unexpected bill.

Pet insurance also offers peace of mind. When you know your pet's health care needs are covered by insurance, you won't have to make a difficult decision about whether you can afford a particular treatment or procedure.

Veterinary care can be expensive, particularly if your pet is injured or has a complicated condition or illness. Even a seemingly minor problem like a stomach issue can be more expensive than you expected. According to the Healthy Paws' Pet Insurance 2019 Cost of Pet Healthcare Report, treatment of a stomach problem could cost as much as $29,000, depending on the treatment. Stomach problems were the top reason both dogs and cats visited the veterinarian based on the report's findings.

During your pet's treatment, the veterinarian may need to analyze your furry friend's blood, take X-rays or ultrasounds, perform endoscopies or surgery, or prescribe medication. Your bill increases with each test, procedure, or medication your pet needs.

Although treatment of a stomach issue could cost tens of thousands of dollars in an extreme case, most pet owners will only pay a few thousand dollars. Of course, a $2,000 bill may easily derail your budget if you don't have pet insurance.

What to Look for When Buying Pet Insurance

When you're comparing pet insurance plans, take a look at:

  • Coverage. Does the plan cover well visits in addition to accidents and illnesses? If well visit coverage is available, will you need to pay more for it? Does the policy list specific conditions and injuries that will be covered, such as cancer, parasites, broken bones, ingestion of foreign objects, etc.? Does it cover routine vaccines?
  • Exclusions. Are certain conditions excluded from the coverage? What about chronic and long-term diseases and conditions? Will the policy cover care for your pet's diabetes or hip dysplasia? In some cases, insurers may cover new illnesses and injuries, but might exclude pre-existing illnesses or chronic conditions.
  • Reimbursements. Most pet insurance plans reimburse you after you pay veterinary bills. You'll need to pay the veterinarian with cash, check, or a credit card, then wait to be reimbursed. Ask the company how long it takes to provide reimbursements and what percentage of your costs will be covered by the plan.
  • Premiums and Other Charges. How much will you pay for the coverage? Are there co-pays and deductibles? Will the premiums go up every year? Will you pay more as your pet gets older? How often are premium payments due?
  • Breed Coverage. Does the insurer cover your pet's breed? If the breed is known to have many health risks, the insurer may choose to decline coverage or not offer coverage for specific conditions.
  • Veterinarians. Can you use the insurance at any veterinary office you want? What if your pet needs to see an emergency veterinarian? Will the policy cover emergency visits to other veterinarians or trips to veterinary specialists?

If you're having trouble deciding between two plans, check out Money's list of 10 best pet insurance companies or call the veterinary office. The staff may be able to offer information about companies that offer the best coverage or promptly reimburse their clients for expenses. Contact our office if you have any questions about pet insurance or your pet's health.

Sources:

AVMA: Do You Need Pet Insurance?

Money: 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies of July 2022, 7/7/2022

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance 2019 Cost of Pet Healthcare Report

  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Exotics
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Ferrets
      • Rabbits
      • Domesticated Animals
        • Prairie Dogs
      • Pocket Pets
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Hamsters
        • Hedgehogs
        • Rats
    • Livestock
      • Cows
      • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
      • Goats
      • Pigs
      • Poultry
      • Sheep
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Children and Pets
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Behavior & Training
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Cats
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Pet Dangers
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids
  • New Clinic Location

    We have fully moved into our new location at 5583 Far Hills Ave.

  • New App

    We will be launching a new app on Friday October 28th. Stay tuned for more information.

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Centerville Office

Monday:

8 AM - 6 PM

Tuesday:

8 AM - 6 PM

Wednesday:

8 AM - 6 PM

Thursday:

8 AM - 6 PM

Friday:

8 AM - 6 PM

Saturday:

8 AM - noon

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

    No testimonials found. Please add
  • September Newsletter: The Importance of Core Vaccines for Dogs

    Could core vaccines help your dog avoid serious illness or death? ...

    Read More
  • September Newsletter: Dry Food vs. Wet Food: Which is Better for Your Cat?

    Should you buy dry food for your cat or is wet food better? ...

    Read More
  • Does Your Cat Have a Grooming Problem?

    Noticed a sudden change in your cat's grooming habits? Over- or under-grooming can be a sign of trouble. ...

    Read More
  • August Newsletter: How Spaying or Neutering Your Pet Can Prevent Health Problems

    Do you know how spaying and neutering can protect your pet's health? ...

    Read More
  • August Newsletter: How Your Veterinarian Can Help with Pet Separation Anxiety

    Does your pet hate being alone? A visit to the veterinarian could help. ...

    Read More
  • July Newsletter: The Benefits of Daycare Services for Your Pet

    Is daycare right for your pet? ...

    Read More
  • July Newsletter: Do Pocket Pets Need Regular Exams?

    How often should you take your pocket pet to the veterinarian? ...

    Read More
  • June Newsletter: How X-Rays Can Help Detect Early Stages of Dental Diseases

    Could X-rays protect your pet oral health? ...

    Read More
  • June Newsletter: How Often Should Cats Be Vaccinated?

    Do you know how often your cat needs to visit the veterinarian for vaccinations? ...

    Read More
  • May Newsletter: How to Keep Your Cat at a Healthy Weight

    Do you know how to help you cat maintain the ideal weight? ...

    Read More
  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In