Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Is pet insurance worth it?
Listen
• 17:13
A very good dog gets a medical check.
(
Joseph Prezioso
/
Getty Images
)
Pet insurance. Do you need it? Should you have it? For some, the answer is simple — yes. But as some pet owners, including a number who work at LAist, report skyrocketing premiums, more and more pet owners are asking whether it's worth it.
John Tegzes, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences, joined AirTalk, LAist 89.3's daily news program, to talk about the state of the pet insurance industry, how it works and a few things to weigh when making a decision.
Here are some things to keep in mind.
Support for LAist comes from
Know your breed
Before you adopt an animal, it's worth researching the common issues they face. Rottweilers, French bulldogs, Boxers, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds tend to have more complications, Tegzes said.
"For those breeds that have high prevalence of hereditary diseases, they could double your premiums or cut you off," he said.
A listener in Glendale, Rachel, warned people with pugs, Frenchies, or other flat-faced dogs that pet insurance isn't always your friend.
"The insurers know [these dogs] are high risk, she said. "After a certain age, you can't even get coverage."
TIP: If you have a breed predisposed to certain injuries, insure them before they develop an injury/illness.
A veterinarian cuts a cat's nails.
(
via iStock
)
Support for LAist comes from
Read the fine print
Depending on the insurance policy, it could cover illness, injury and everything in between. But then there are policies limited to things like X-rays and bloodwork. Some plans don't even cover physical exams.
California recently passed some regulations that require a pet insurance company to list upfront in your policy what they won’t pay for throughout your pet's life, which is helpful, Tegzes said.
TIP: Tegzes recommends some at-home calculations. What’s the risk-benefit analysis for your household?
Is it worth it?
The unsatisfying answer is: it depends. For some AirTalk listeners, pet insurance has been a lifesaver, and for others, the cost and bureaucracy hasn't been worth it.
Marc in San Pedro said: “We spent thousands of dollars on our dog's skin allergies. We’ve never had a claim denied, and we are reimbursed within a week.”
Matt in Altadena said: His Nationwide pet insurance covers 70% of costs for his epileptic dog. "I would be 20 grand in the hole without it," he wrote in.
Amy in Redondo Beach said: "Our pet insurance premiums doubled a year ago. We canceled it and simply put the previous rate to a savings account each month for unanticipated surgeries for our pet."
Support for LAist comes from
TIP: If you don't get pet insurance, our expert suggests putting away funds each month over your pet's lifetime. By the time your pet is older, you might be able to cover any larger costs.
At the end of the day, "You’ll always have to spend money for your veterinary bills," Tegzes said. "It will never cover 100%."
Listen
Listen
• 17:13
The state of pet insurance. Is it worth it?
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year. -
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist