With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Is pet insurance worth it?
A very good dog gets a medical check.
(
Joseph Prezioso
/
Getty Images
)
Listen
17:13
The state of pet insurance. Is it worth it?
The pet-care industry can be challenging to navigate. Pet parents have to struggle with balancing the best care for their furry family members while also accepting the fact that healthcare for critters can be pretty expensive. This is a problem that pet insurance companies have stepped in to attempt to solve. But just like human health insurance, pet health insurance doesn’t come cheap — and some say premiums are getting out of hand. So, when is it most necessary to have pet insurance, and is it ever a good deal in Southern California? Joining us to discuss the basics of pet insurance and what to know about the current state of the industry is Dr. John Tegzes, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences, where he is also a professor in the department of health systems science.
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.
-
Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to federal prison for his role in the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. -
A new report finds enrollment in transitional kindergarten is rising in L.A. County, but community preschools are closing. -
The region currently spends 90% of HUD dollars on permanent housing, but the feds capped it at 30%.
Sponsored message
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
)
Sponsored message
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."
Sponsored message
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?
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
