Khai McBride Certified Mortgage Planner Skyline Financial Corp. Phone: 800.399.6890 Fax: 800.399.6891 khai@mcbridegroup.com www.mcbridegroup.com |
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January 2008
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Pet Insurance: Health Plans for Fido and Fluffy Do you think of your pets as members of your family? Considering their propensity for affection and devotion, it's rather hard to feel otherwise. So, it's safe to say that you want the best for your animals, with the hope of ensuring their well-being for as long as you possibly can. Did you know that health insurance might be the key to making that happen? We're not talking about your personal health insurance. Rather, we're referring to the medical plans available to your pet. If you haven't heard of this concept, you'll definitely want to read on, as the options can vary. Also, there are several considerations to keep in mind when choosing the right policy for your pet. What is Pet Insurance? In terms of the United States, the first policy was written in 1982 for TV's Lassie. By the mid-90s, companies such as The Hartville Group, Inc. (partnered with the ASPCA) began writing policies for pets throughout the country. Currently, there are a host of companies offering several pet insurance options. According to American Demographics magazine, only 1% of this country's pets were covered by insurance plans in 2005. Today that number is at 5%. The growing popularity of pet insurance is due in large part to the incredible advancements in veterinary medicine. Nowadays, pets can receive many of the same treatments that humans do. From Cat scans to chemotherapy, the only obstacle is the owner's ability to pay the bill. Simply put, diseases and conditions that were once fatal to pets can now be treated with success. The catch is that the costs can potentially exceed several thousands of dollars. Most pet insurance policies work like regular ones in the sense that they have monthly premiums, deductibles, and co-payments. The costs vary depending on everything from your pet's breed and pre-existing conditions, to the level of coverage you desire. With most insurance companies, a healthy pet can be insured for anywhere from $5 to $30 a month. Is Pet Insurance Right for You? The first question you should ask yourself is, in the case of an unexpected accident or illness, how much money are you willing to spend in order to save your pet's life? Furthermore, can you actually afford to spend that amount of money? If the answer is that you'd spend whatever it cost no matter what, then obtaining pet insurance could be a very good idea. We've already talked about the rising costs of emergency pet care. What we haven't addressed is the fact that thousands of Americans go into debt every year because of an unexpected vet bill. For some people, the idea of starting a "rainy day" savings account is much more palpable than paying an additional insurance premium. The upside to this option is that it allows you to control how much money you put away, as well as how often you do it. It also allows you to spend the money on any household emergency. The downside to this option begins with the discipline it requires to sock away extra money on any sort of a regular basis. In addition, there is no guarantee that the money you have saved will even come close to the potential cost for treating your animal. Finding the Right Insurance Plan
Controlling Your Costs for Pet Health Care
Regardless of whether you decide to purchase insurance or not, one thing is for sure. Your pet depends on you for his or her health and happiness. See to it that your animal has regular check-ups and, above all, listen to your vet. Doing so will reap benefits for you and your beloved pet. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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