We treat our pets like family and spend billions of dollars annually on veterinary care. If you think pet insurance could save you money on routine checkups and emergencies, listen up.
A Consumer Reports survey found that pet owners are highly dissatisfied with their pet insurance coverage. In this survey, more than 2,000 members shared their pet insurance experiences on everything from what they actually covered, to the premiums they paid, to the process of making a claim to get a refund. And overall, there was no true top dog. Most results show that all insurance companies are about in the middle.
CR looked at survey data from eight pet insurance companies. On average, the total cost per pet was about $47 per month.
Six insurers received moderate overall satisfaction scores, while two received the lowest ratings.
So what can we do to save?
- Deposit the amount that can be used for insurance premiums into a dedicated savings account. By putting money into a direct deposit, high-yield savings account every month, you can insure yourself and withdraw money from it if your fur baby needs medical help. ”
- If you're having trouble paying for your pet's medical expenses, why not consider attending a veterinary school that offers discounts on everything from health checkups to spaying and neutering?
- If your pet needs medication, shop around. You may find it cheaper to order medications online from places like Chewy, Petco, PetMeds, and Walmart Pet Pharmacy.
- You can also try telemedicine veterinary services like Bond Vet and Pawp for non-emergency care, according to Consumer Reports
