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Is pet insurance worth it?
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A very good dog gets a medical check.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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?
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