{"id":48046,"date":"2022-01-17T09:30:36","date_gmt":"2022-01-17T14:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=48046"},"modified":"2026-03-25T15:25:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T19:25:01","slug":"how-to-get-pet-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-get-pet-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"Should you get pet insurance?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bringing home a new pet is fun and exciting, but it can sometimes be costly. Owning a four-legged friend also means caring for their health. Like humans, pets sometimes need prescriptions, surgical procedures, and other medical interventions. So, what about pet insurance? Is it worth it to buy an insurance plan to help protect your new furry family member?<\/span><\/p>\n

How does pet insurance work?<\/h2>\n

Pet insurance works by protecting pet owners against unexpected veterinary costs. According to the National Pet Owners Survey, around 94 million American families own at least one pet. In 2025, those families will spend a projected $41.4 billion on veterinary care and products. Pet insurance can provide peace of mind when deciding whether to go through with a major procedure. Illness and injury treatments can cost pet owners hundreds\u2014or even thousands\u2014of dollars.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Pet insurance is becoming increasingly popular due to the cost of veterinary care,\u201d says <\/span>Chyrle Bonk, DVM<\/span>, a veterinarian working with <\/span>hepper.com<\/span>. \u201c<\/span>Most pet insurance policies cover emergency visits which can be very expensive as well as unexpected and difficult for a pet owner to cover.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pet insurance policies come with a monthly premium. If the covered pet gets sick or injured, after paying the full bill to the veterinarian, a pet owner can then submit a claim to the insurance company for reimbursement. Just like with any health insurance, policies vary and a pet owner may also need to pay a deductible and a percentage of the bill. Pet insurance plans may also exclude preexisting conditions and\/or certain illnesses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>You don’t have to have a puppy to enroll in pet insurance,\u201d says <\/span>Jamie Freyer, DVM<\/span><\/a>, an expert at <\/span>veterinarians.org<\/span><\/a> \u201cGenerally, you can enroll in an insurance plan at any time during your pet’s life.\u201d Dr. Fryer advises that pet owners spend some time picking out a plan that best suits their needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are a number of plans out there that cover veterinary care, with a wide range of covered services,\u201d she explains. \u201cSome owners may wish to have preventive care and services such as flea and heartworm prevention added to their plan, while others may only be interested in coverage for emergencies.\u201d It really comes down to picking a plan that best works for your pet\u2019s needs and your budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is typically covered with pet insurance?<\/h2>\n

Pet insurance coverage varies based on the provider and the plan that is chosen. The most basic plans may only cover accidents, or accidents and illness. Most of the more comprehensive pet insurance plans will cover:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n