Keeping your pets happy throughout the year is considered a top priority for any pet owner, which can often come with a high price if you’re not well prepared for any unforeseen pet-related emergencies.

Typically pet owners will budget for necessities such as buying pet food, and new toys or making a trip to the groomer every so often. Although these all form part of the monthly pet allowance, unplanned trips to the vet or hospital can leave any pet owner having to cough up a hefty amount for veterinary bills, which in most cases could’ve been covered by pet insurance.

Last year, American pet owners spent a combined total of more than $34.3 billion on vet care and product sales, while the pet industry expenditure was up by more than $20 billion between 2020 and 2021, jumping from $103.6 billion to $123.6 billion at the end of last year.

Keeping in mind that the cost of basic goods and services have skyrocketed in recent months due to soaring inflation and ongoing economic headwinds - pet owners will only continue paying more for their furry friends in the coming months, whether it’s buying their favorite pet food or even doing a simple routine checkup.

Amid challenging economic conditions, taking out pet insurance would be considered to be the most financially viable option for pet owners, especially against the backdrop of the cost of living crisis.

With the winter months now officially here, the most effective way to ensure that your pets are safe and healthy during this time is to consider taking up a pet insurance policy that will help cover any medical expenses and give you some peace of mind in the event of an emergency.

Why pet insurance is important

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), average recurring medical expenses for a dog can range between $210 to $260, depending on its size. On average, long hospitalizations can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $3,500, while an emergency surgery might set you back between $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the severity of the surgery.

Other costs such as wound treatment, x-rays, scans, allergy testing, vaccines, and even dental cleaning can quickly become a pricey expedition if your pet is not properly covered. Even with the most basic pet insurance plans, owners can be reimbursed up to 90% for the covered costs - which means that a $5,000 emergency surgery could end up costing you around $500 if you pay it out of pocket.

Best Reasons To Get Pet Insurance This Winter

Tailored to pets’ needs and medical requirements

Consumers are often required to provide as much personal and medical information to insurance agents when taking out a basic life insurance policy.

In the pet insurance industry, it works similarly, and pet owners will be subject to providing their insurance agent with basic information about their furry friend, from date of birth, type of breed, and any pre-existing health conditions. Pet insurance costs can range, and not every pet owner will pay the same amount, as external factors such as the size of the pet, or even the state you live in can influence the final amount you’ll pay.

If you’re unsure about the specifics, you can always consult your vet first, as they will help give better clarity over the type of breed your pet may be, and what type of diseases or illnesses they may be prone to. Having more tailored-made pet insurance not only gives you added benefits but also helps to give you more cost-effective options.

Helps to reduce veterinary costs and medical emergencies

Pet insurance can cover anything from basic routine checkups to large-scale medical emergencies and hospitalizations. Our pets are constantly exposed to the outside world and natural elements, and during the winter it can be even harder to monitor their health, especially if you live in an extremely cold environment.

Just as with basic medical or life insurance, the reason why pet insurance is there in the first place is to give you added peace of mind and to ensure you can cover any veterinary bills or medical emergencies.

When you factor in how much it would cost you to pay for certain procedures and checkups out of pocket, against monthly insurance payments, the math almost always supports the notion of taking out pet insurance.

Not only this, but you never know what might happen in the coming weeks leading up to the peak of winter, and you might find yourself stranded with limited options when an emergency presents itself unexpectedly.

Improves pet ownership risk management

In more ways than possible, pet insurance is seen as a way to provide you with added peace of mind, knowing that regardless of what might happen this winter, whether it’s hypothermia or frostbite, your pets are covered.

For those of us who are traveling out of town this winter season, and leaving our pets with friends or at a pet shelter, it’s much more convenient knowing that regardless of how long you may be away they will always have the safety provided by pet insurance.

Knowing that your pets might be exposed to some cruel and intense winter conditions is not a thought many of us enjoy, and for the most part, we’d like to ensure they are always safe, happy, and healthy despite what the outside conditions might be like.

The bottom line

There are many reasons why pet insurance in this day and age makes sense, and for many pet owners, keeping their furry friends happy and healthy is a top priority. Pet insurance provides added peace of mind and ensures that pets are covered for any unplanned medical emergencies.

When you start adding the numbers on how much you’d spend on average to pay for veterinary bills against the price of annual pet insurance, it’s almost a no-brainer that having even the most basic pet insurance policy is the most financially viable choice. It’s best to be prepared, rather than take up the risk this winter.