Pet Owners' Best Advice For Choosing Insurance

Pet insurance has become a vital expense for many cat and dog owners, helping them manage health emergencies. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association's (NAPHIA) 2024 report, the demand for pet insurance continues to grow, with around 6.25 million pets insured in the U.S. — a 16.7% year-over-year increase. 

This growth highlights the need for pet owners to better understand how pet insurance works and what to look for. Terminology, coverage amounts, and how pet insurance functions can be confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with how it differs from other types. Fortunately, online resources offer valuable insights through others' experiences, helping pet owners make informed decisions before purchasing coverage for their beloved pets.

To provide the best advice, we drew on the author's expertise in the insurance industry to clarify the jargon, cross-referenced information with insurance and pet professional websites, and gathered real-life experiences from pet owners on social media.

Like any form of insurance, it's essential to understand what is and isn't covered when purchasing a policy. Notable exclusions for most pet insurance policies include routine or expected care, such as annual check-ups, vaccinations, and spaying/neutering. Pre-existing conditions can also limit coverage. These apply to any pet health issues before purchasing insurance. Some breeds may face specific restrictions or increased premiums. Elective surgeries, like removal of benign growth on the skin, are unlikely to be covered, and there is a maximum and annual payout amount that the insurer won't go over for a single claim.

On Reddit, one user shared insurance's handling their dog's symptoms of allergies, and the importance of their coverage, stating, "One of my girls gets allergy shots every three weeks that they cover, so it's definitely saved us money on her at least." They went on to share that it's helped in emergency situations as well, including when their dog ate a foreign body and when they got giardia.

Thoroughly review your policy and ask an insurance agent to clarify any concerns. While a more expensive package may be discouraging financially, it may be worth upgrading if it addresses one of your top concerns. It's better to understand what is fully and isn't covered, along with any restrictions, than to hesitate to ask questions you think might be common or evident to others. 

When first purchasing pet insurance, it's essential to shop around to find coverage that best suits your pet and your budget. While changing coverage year by year is possible, pet parents should be cautious. A lapse in coverage between switching policies can complicate a health claim and may even result in a denial.

In one Reddit thread, a user shared that their claim was denied for their pet after two separate incidents involving a seed getting lodged in two parts of the pet's body, requiring removal. Another user clarified in the post, "Basically, once you pick a lifetime provider, if your pet has any injury or illness, it's considered pre-existing, and only covered while you have the same policy." They posited that the original poster may have switched insurance between foreign body claims, so the injury could have been considered pre-existing.

Instead of switching insurers, consider adjusting your pet insurance deductible to save money. The deductible is the amount you pay before insurance coverage begins, ranging from 0 to $1000. A higher deductible typically lowers the premium. If you're confident you can handle the first $1000 in costs as a pet parent, this may be a better way to save money.

Veterinarians often recommend a specific service provider if asked. They may prefer one for two reasons: either the provider has a good history of offering excellent customer service, or they offer direct billing from their office. While it's ultimately up to the pet owner to decide what coverage best suits their needs, having coverage upfront — rather than paying out of pocket and filing a claim later — can provide peace of mind. This convenience can make the claims process much less stressful if you have a regular vet.

In a puppy 101 Reddit thread, some users shared how convenient direct pay was when dealing with pet insurance issues. One noted, "I use Trupanion and love it! Our vet is a provider for them, so they submit the claims at our visit and get pretty much immediate response of how much Trupanion will cover and they pay the vet directly for their portion."

In the same thread, another user emphasized the importance of checking with your vet about direct billing, saying "I use Healthy Paws...If the vet is willing to work with them, they are also willing to direct pay your vet, minus your deductible."

While many pet parents may worry about their pets as they age, it can be just as important to provide coverage from a young age. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, 12% of patients at veterinarians are puppies and kittens. Puppies can be prone to many serious issues, with GI issues like diarrhea, giardia, and ingestion of foreign bodies being common causes. Puppies and kittens can also be more susceptible to specific diseases like parvo and kennel cough during their developmental stages.

In a discussion on puppy 101 on Reddit, users highlighted the importance of getting pet insurance for their puppies. One user shared their regret about not securing insurance immediately, stating, "Our puppy had a surprise pneumonia 3 days after adopting her. We had to go to an after-hours vet, so we had a very sudden $2,000 bill. Unfortunately, the day before my husband was looking into insurance to get quotes, but we hadn't pulled the trigger yet."

While cats are insured at less than half the rate of dogs, one user on Reddit's r/kittens made a case for insuring kittens, stating, "Also consider that even indoor cats can have accidents. One of our cats somehow found and swallowed a piece of my used dental floss when she was a kitten...We didn't have insurance and ended up paying close to 2,000 euros for that incident."

Understandably, many people have grown jaded with the insurance industry, leading them to question whether they should get pet insurance. One Facebook user emphasized the importance of having coverage for their pet, stating, "I work with dogs professionally and many of my clients have used their pet insurance for big things ($5k+), even while their dogs were still quite young. I've had clients without pet insurance really struggle when something urgent comes up."

On the other hand, some users don't believe pet insurance is worthwhile. This sentiment is shared by many, with only a small percentage of the total population of pets in the U.S. being insured. In a Reddit thread about finances, many users shared their preference for saving and creating a personal fund instead of buying insurance. One user pointed out, "When it comes to a pet, you're better off keeping a traditional emergency fund and making regular payments to it equivalent to the cost of insurance. In most cases, you'll save a lot of money over your pet's life."

Ultimately, pet owners should weigh the pros and cons of insurance based on their pets' needs and personal finances, including how much pet insurance for dogs and cats costs. Consulting insurance and pet professionals can help make the process more transparent, but no one can decide if pet insurance is right for you except yourself.

The author drew on his 5+ years in the insurance industry, working with a company that sold a wide range of products to understand the terminology, general insurance practices, and concerns commonly raised by clients. We further relied on insurance sites, up-to-date statistics, and professionals in animal care to back up all claims. Finally, we checked various social media sites to see what people were saying and how their experiences reflected facts and information about the Insurance industry.