Find out if pet insurance is right for you

Sick as a dog

Story by Bailey Gilliam

Every six seconds a pet owner grapples with the daunting prospect of a vet bill exceeding $1,000 or more. Our beloved pets, cherished members of our families, are vulnerable to illness and injury just like any human family member. However, unlike our human loved ones, they lack the means to cover their own medical expenses. Fortunately, a variety of pet insurance options are available to safeguard both you and your furry companions from the burdensome costs associated with unexpected emergencies.

Standard pet insurance plans not only address acute emergencies but also extend coverage to common issues such as allergies, digestive ailments and ear infections. Some insurance options go above and beyond by encompassing routine vet visits, prescribed medications and even boarding expenses. Despite its growing popularity, it’s essential to note that pet insurance is still relatively nascent in the market. In fact, the first pet to be insured in the United States was the iconic TV collie, Lassie, in 1982.

Fast forward to 2023, and we find that two-thirds of American households now include a beloved pet — a remarkable 56 percent increase since 1986. Today the United States boasts a staggering population of over five million insured pets. While the concept of pet insurance is gaining considerable traction, it’s not uncommon for pet parents to grapple with unanswered questions. To shed light on this topic, we had the opportunity to interview Carla Genther, the office manager and veterinary assistant at Coastal Veterinarian Critical Care, who shared invaluable insights about pet insurance and its true worth.

[LOCAL Life] How does pet insurance work? [Carla Genther]Pet insurance works just like regular insurance as far as monthly payments are concerned. The main difference is going to be when it comes time for you to use it. Veterinary medicine, unlike human medicine, collects payment up front to cover costs of products, doctor and technician time as well as hospital equipment expenses such as oxygen if your pet is in need of surgery. Once your pet is discharged from the hospital and a claim is made by the owner with the insurance company, the insurance company will then reach out to the clinic with a request for records, lab work and any other diagnostics performed. It is at this point they will then communicate directly with the owner about reimbursement for the procedure, hospitalization, wellness visit, etc. depending on the insurance and the plan.

[LL] Do pets really need insurance? [CG] Having pet insurance is never a bad idea and can be extremely helpful later in life if your pet has an emergency or is prone to certain breed-related diseases. Certain companies provide assistance/reimbursement for wellness visits and vaccines, while others can be comparable to catastrophic insurance for people and cover those unexpected emergency visits. Is it needed? Not necessarily, if you are prepared to financially cover expenses you could otherwise possibly be reimbursed for. Can it be helpful? Absolutely.

[LL] How do people know if their pet insurance will be accepted? [CG] One misconception we have seen in ER when people actually need their pet insurance to work is that there is no accepting or denying insurance. The insurance company, based on their inquiry after your pet’s visit, will review the records from the visit and decide on whether or not the visit will be covered. Owners are still responsible for payment up front but will potentially get reimbursed from their insurance company after filing a claim. No clinic or hospital will ever deny your pet treatment based on who your pet insurance is through.

[LL] Do you think this is a worthwhile investment? Has pet insurance been around long enough to get all the kinks out? [CG] Investing in your pet’s health is always a solid investment. Keep in mind, it is still an insurance company you are working with, and their main goal is to be sure there is no fraud in the claim being made. That is to say, no preexisting condition (before your pet had insurance) is potentially why they are in the hospital receiving treatment. If you have a certain breed of dog or an active dog, such as a lab, a boxer or even a Yorkie, it will more than likely end up being the best investment you made. 

[LL] What insurance companies would you recommend?
[CG] Some really great companies that we have seen at the ER have been Lemonade and Embrace Insurance.

[LL] Are there any local pet insurance companies? [CG] No local companies.

[LL] What is typically covered by most pet insurance? [CG] Some pet insurances, like Lemonade, cover diagnostics, hospitalization, surgery and emergency visits as well as routine care and prescription medications. Others, such as Embrace, can cover behavioral therapy as well as rehabilitation which is sometimes needed post orthopedic surgeries. Then there are companies like CarePlus by Chewy, which provides wellness coverage, as in preventative care including but not limited to routine vet visits, heart worm/flea/tick medications and yearly vaccinations.

[LL] How often do you see patients with pet insurance?
[CG] We see about 50/50 of patients with and without insurance. It’s really a toss-up.

[LL] Do you find that it often saves pet owners a significant amount of money? [CG] When it comes to saving owners money, at the end of the day it really depends on the plan, the timeline in which the plan was obtained and what is currently going on with the pet. There is a waiting period for all insurances, and if something occurs during this waiting period or is noted in a pet’s exam, it could be considered a preexisting condition and therefore negate any future coverage for that problem.

[LL] Is there anything you’d like to add? [CG] While it may seem like one more bill, insurance helps you invest in your pet’s well-being. From preventative care to emergencies, pet insurance can help you feel confident you are looking out for your pet. Owning a pet is a privilege, not a right, and things do happen. Whether they go for a walk on the beach and step on an oyster shell or eat something they shouldn’t have, insurance can help you get repaid for those unexpected expenses.