Pet Insurance Houston

What is Pet Insurance

There are few tragedies in life as great of that of a pet owner who is unable to afford lifesaving medical treatment for their furry friend. Sadly, this is a heart-wrenching occurrence in many pet owners’ lives. It is usually seen with chronic conditions or emergencies that require extensive treatment. Often, the owner will be forced to forego treatment or have their companion euthanized. Pet health insurance helps mitigate the rising cost of veterinary care, and makes quality pet care attainable. It is affordable and ensures that someone will never have to choose money over his or her pet’s life.

Pet health insurance is readily available. Accident and illness plans are inexpensive and can cover life-saving procedures that help pay for almost anything that can go wrong. There are some exclusion, such as pre-existing medical conditions and elective procedures to be aware of, but if your beloved pet experienced an unexpected accident or illness, you would be able to save their life.

Many people are surprised at how little pet health insurance costs. For example, having a deductible of $100 with no payout limit for a six year old cat can be as low as $28.00 per month. As with any type of insurance, the monthly plan fluctuates depending on the level of deductible you choose.

In deciding on what type of coverage is needed, owners should consider their personal budget and the type of care their pet is likely to need. The activity level of the pet, housing conditions, diet, age, and general health status are important considerations. The species and breed also matter. For example, Boxers are prone to heart problems, dental problems, and cancer. Different types of coverage are needed for cats.

Unlike human insurance policies, pet health insurance allows the veterinarian and owner to decide on appropriate treatment. The owner pays the veterinarian directly, sends in a claim form, and is reimbursed up to the allowable amount. There are no restrictions on which pet hospital an owner may choose or the level of care available. Most policies will remain in force, with little increase in premium, so long as the coverage never lapses. While the pet does need to be less than 14 years old at the time of enrollment, the coverage will not be cancelled due to advanced age.

There is a significant need for dedicated pet owners to consider obtaining coverage. According to the American Animal Hospital, the number of annual veterinary visits has declined steadily, while the cost of care has escalated. At the same time, the number of pets in the United States continues to increase. In a 2010 survey, many pet owners cited lower incomes as a major reason that they did not take their pet in for care. In fact, it concluded that 23% of dog owners and 43% of cat owners polled were unemployed at the time of the study. The American Veterinary Medical Association endorses pet health insurance as a great means of helping people afford care.

While there are several good carriers in the market, the best ones will be specific about what protection is offered. The terms, limitations, and costs should be explained upfront. The most valuable aspect is that pet insurance offers an owner peace of mind. It eliminates the financial worry that so often accompanies a trip to the veterinarian.

Pet Health Issues in Houston

Houston, Texas is a booming metropolis in the southern quarter of the Lone Star State. Over the last ten years, the population has broadened with people moving there from all over the world to enjoy the easier economy and many desirable features that the city has to offer. The majority of them are pet owners. Not just anyone chooses to live in Houston, as it has its own unique list of challenges. However, those who do are passionate about it, and one of the things Houstonians are passionate about is their pets. Visit Houston’s Memorial Park early in the morning and one will see dozens of dogs running alongside their owners, enjoying their morning exercise. There are outdoors dogs, indoor dogs and dogs that enjoy both environments.

Unfortunately, human beings are not the only ones who face special challenges while living in Houston. The same problems that face their owners also face pets. For example, Houston is prone to drought, and when prolonged droughts occur, so do flea infestations. Fleas can cause all kinds of allergies for one’s pet. They can also cause internal parasites, dermatitis, and other flea borne diseases. Any of these diseases can cause one’s pet to suffer needlessly. If left untreated, some can eventually lead to the pet’s death. However, they can all be quite costly to treat, so what is the best solution for a pet owner who lives in Houston?

Pet health insurance exists to help pet owners get the medical care that their pets need, and to do so at reasonable cost. The premiums are generally low, and, depending upon the policy pet insurance can cover up to 90% of the bill with no payout limit. Having pet insurance while living in a city such as Houston, Texas, is an excellent idea.

Many years ago, American soldiers who were based near Houston would receive hazardous duty pay simply for being stationed there. This was because of the searing tropical climates. Heat can cause the same types of problems for dogs as it does for human beings. They can experience potentially fatal heat exhaustion and they can also suffer from sunburn. Sunburn can lead to skin cancer in dogs, just as it can in humans. Older dogs and overweight dogs are particularly vulnerable to these conditions and can require repeated visits to the veterinarian. This is another example where pet health insurance could help relieve the financial burden that these repeated vet visits could incur.

Another of the challenges of living in Houston is that the city lies directly inside a hurricane zone. Often, when pet owners are forced to evacuate their homes quickly, they are prevented from taking their pets with them. This can lead to all kinds of problems for the pets that remain behind, if they even survive. ALWAYS evacuate with your pet; see FEMA.gov for more information on emergency pet preparedness. In addition to injuries, hurricanes can also lead to pets becoming separated from their owners and ending up in shelters with hundreds of other pets of unknown origin. By the time they are reunited with their owners, they might have picked up any number of diseases that require veterinary care that their owners may have trouble paying for. Insurance can help mitigate these expenses.

The subsequent flooding that often occurs during hurricane season can lead to an increase in the number of disease carrying mosquitoes. Again, during and after hurricane season, pet illnesses can soar. Then, more than ever, is when insurance for one’s pet can help save its life.

One never knows when disaster will strike and pet owners will not have the funding necessary to restore their injured or ill pet’s health. Pet insurance is the solution.

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Pet Health Insurance Case Study

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Pet Insurance Claims

Actual pet insurance claims

Compare Actual Pet Insurance Claims! The cost of an unlucky pet can add up. Here are some examples of actual pet insurance claims and associated veterinary costs for incidents that can happen to a pet of any age.

Tommy:
member since 2008

Breed: Dog, Boston Terrier
Sport: Begging for table scraps
Treated for: Knee surgery
Claim paid: $2,934.26
Time to process claim: 6 days
Monthly premium: $31.45

Shadow:
member since 2010

Breed: Cat, Domestic Longhair
Hobby: Snubbing dinner
Treated for: Urinary tract infection
Claim paid: $175.06
Time to process claim: 3 days
Monthly premium: $19.50

Anabelle: member since 2009

Breed: Cat, Maine Coon
Hobby: Chasing birds
Treated for: High fever, not eating
Claim paid: $302.25
Time to process claim: 6 days
Monthly premium: $16.75