Why Pet Insurance is Worth It: A Vet's Perspective
2. Even Healthy Puppies & Kittens Can Get Sick.
Life-altering care stories like these have made me a strong advocate of pet insurance, and I think every pet parent should have it. If you’re on the fence, here are 5 reasons why I think it makes sense to get pet insurance as soon as you can.
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Stacy Choczynski Johnson, DVM
Strategic Sales Representative at Pumpkin Insurance Services, Inc.
THE POST
The best-case scenario is to enroll in pet insurance when your dog or cat is young and healthy, so your plan can cover unexpected accidents and illnesses that may develop in the future.
I’m a veterinarian with 12 years of clinical experience, and over 20 years of experience working with animals. Throughout my career, I’ve been asked countless times whether I think pet insurance is “worth it”.
A story that really stands out for me is the time I had to treat two dog housemates who had gotten into a serious fight. Their condition was serious, and they needed wound repair surgery quickly. The surgery would be difficult – it required two full veterinary teams to perform.
Because they had pet insurance, it was easier to say ‘yes’ to the complicated and costly surgical procedure. We didn’t have to delay their emergency treatment to analyze the cost estimate and treatment plan, which may have compromised their recovery. My team was able to give both these dogs the best care, without hesitation.
1. Puppies and Kittens Will Inevitably Get Into Things They Shouldn’t.
A puppy or kitten’s curiosity to explore the world around them can sometimes lead them to do crazy things with costly consequences. I’ve seen all sorts in my time, from eating random objects, to having fracturing falls, to playing a little rough and ending up with bite wounds.
Depending on the severity of the accident and if emergency surgery is needed, you could be looking at a vet bill of $5k or more. When unexpected accidents happen, pet insurance can help get your pet the best veterinary care possible, even when it comes at a high cost.
Also, with an estimated 1 in 3 pets in the U.S. needing emergency veterinary treatment in any given year, it is very likely that your pet will face at least one significant accident or injury in their lifetime.1
Puppies and kittens have fragile immune systems, which can make them more susceptible to picking up certain illnesses and diseases. From ear, eye, and respiratory infections, to digestive issues and intestinal worms, there are many common conditions that pets can develop in their first year. Pet insurance can help you cover the costs of sick visit exam fees, diagnostics, treatment, and the prescription medications they will need to get better.
It’s important to remember that most pet insurances can not cover “pre-existing conditions” (AKA conditions that showed symptoms or were treated before enrolling or during the waiting period).
Some insurance plans, like Pumpkin's, will cover curable pre-existing conditions (with the exception of knee & hind leg ligament conditions) if the condition has been cured, free of symptoms and treatment for 180 days, and occurs again in the future.
This is a great benefit of some insurances, however, you don’t ever want to be in a position where your pet is without coverage when they really need it.
3. The Cost Of Vet Care Can Really Add Up Over Your Pet’s Lifetime
Did you know that families can expect to spend about $13k-17k on veterinary care over their pet’s life?2 If your pet were ever to face a catastrophic emergency or serious chronic illness, it could end up costing even more.
I know it’s hard to imagine spending this much on care when your puppy or kitten is young and healthy, but costly accidents and illnesses have a way of showing up when you least expect them. Pet insurance plans, especially those with a high 90% reimbursement rate like Pumpkin's, can help prepare you financially for the accidents and illnesses that could pop up during your pet’s life.
4. You Shouldn’t Have to Compromise Your Pet’s Care Due to Cost
All pets deserve gold-standard care when they’re sick or hurt. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible for pets without insurance. Without insurance, it’s personal finances that often guide a pet parent’s decision-making.
Experiences like this demonstrate how pet insurance can transform the conversation that veterinarians and pet parents have in the exam room. It can help pet parents agree to the best treatment possible for their beloved pets, without cost being the deciding factor.
For example, I once treated a german shepherd with a loving family, who had a sudden onset of serious neurological symptoms. He needed an MRI to determine the best treatment, but his family couldn’t agree to the high cost – they were emotionally exhausted and torn about how to proceed. Sadly, as their dog’s health declined, the family ultimately decided to euthanize their dog. It was a heartbreaking scenario for all involved.
After witnessing too many situations where cost came in the way of a caring pet parent being able to provide the best care for their pet, I realized that pet insurance is 100% worth it.
So much so that I was inspired to shift my career focus, and work for the pet insurance provider Pumpkin in order to help more veterinary hospitals increase the number of insured pets walking through their doors.
5. When It Comes To Your Pet, Peace Of Mind Can Be Priceless.
Take it from a vet who has seen countless pet parents in distress – nothing is more upsetting and stressful than when your pet is sick or hurt. I know that in those moments, the last thing you want to be worried about is the cost of the tests, treatment, or medication they need.
I firmly believe that if you are a pet parent, one day you will be really glad that you have pet insurance. If only for the peace of mind that helps you say to your vet “do whatever it takes” instead of “what will it cost?”
I have numerous stories about pet parents who regret NOT purchasing pet insurance, yet rarely have I met pet parents with hurt or sick pets that regret purchasing pet insurance.
1Horch, AJ, “Most Americans own a pet, but not the insurance 1 in 3 faithful companions will need.” cnbc.com, last updated June 2019.
2American Pets Product Association, “2017-2018 APPA National Pet Owners Survey.” Estimated lifetime cost of vet care for a dog living 12 years based on annual spend data from survey (12 years at $1,386 per year); estimated lifetime cost of vet care for a cat living 15 years based on annual spend data from survey (15 years at $890 per year).
“Life-altering care stories like these have made me a strong advocate of pet insurance, and I think every pet parent should have it.”
Stacy Choczynski Johnson, DVM | Strategic Sales Representative at Pumpkin Insurance Services, Inc.
August 2nd, 2021 | 7 min read
Sponsored by Pumpkin®
PRESCRIPTION FOOD & SUPPLEMENT COVERAGE TERMS:
Pumpkin insurance covers prescription food & supplements to treat an eligible accident or illness. It does not cover prescription food & supplements used for weight management or general health maintenance.
REIMBURSEMENT DISCLAIMER:
Reimbursement example illustrates 90% reimbursement of a covered bill, assuming the annual deductible has already been satisfied and the annual limit has not yet been met.
30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE TERMS:
Full refund of insurance monthly premium, only if no covered claims have been filed. Not available in all states. New York residents will receive a prorated refund for the remaining days in the month.
COMPARISON INFORMATION:
Comparison information is provided using publicly available information as of 1/10/2023 and is only meant to summarize program features, not a specific plan. Review the provider’s plan terms for more details. The description of the providers’ plans are not provided by that company. If you have questions about other plans, please contact an agent of that company. It is our intention to provide fair and accurate comparison information. We attempt to keep information up to date but it may change from time to time. If you are aware of any inaccuracies or changes in the information provided, let us know by emailing help@pumpkin.care.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy. Products and rates may vary and are subject to change. Discounts may vary and are subject to change. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company (NAIC #21113; Morristown, NJ), and administered and produced by Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. ("Pumpkin") (NPN #19084749; Domiciled in New York with offices at 432 Park Avenue South, Floor 12, New York, NY 10016; CA License #6001617). Pumpkin is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer, and receives compensation based on the premiums for the insurance policies it sells. For more details, visit pumpkin.care/underwriting-information. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy. It is offered as an optional add-on non-insurance benefit. Pumpkin is responsible for the product and administration. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/customeragreement. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not available in all states.