Are you covered?

Let’s talk Pet Insurance! Do I recommend it? Yes. With so many vet practices now owned by large corporations, pet care is expensive—especially around big-city animal hospitals where many of our families live.

Confession: I’ve randomly carried insurance on our show boys and on our Ragdoll cat. When our cats were spayed, insurance didn’t cover a penny (routine/wellness isn’t usually covered unless you add it), so I paid for two years without a claim. In fact, I’ve never filed a pet claim. But… if your dog launches off the sofa, tumbles off a deck, gets roughhoused by an older pet, swallows a grape, or snacks on your kid’s Croc charms (yes, really) — those are pricey ER visits and sometimes surgeries. That’s when insurance feels like a life raft. I do recommend looking at Trupanion (they send families materials; I don’t receive anything), and there are others: AKC, Nationwide, etc. My advice is always the same: compare options and make an informed decision that fits your family and budget.

What to look for (simple checklist)

• Accident & Illness coverage: Broken bones, foreign-body surgeries, GI upsets, allergies, ear infections, cruciate/ACL issues, etc.
• Hereditary & congenital conditions: Make sure these aren’t excluded.
• Reimbursement % + deductible: Common options are 70–90% after deductible. Know the math.
• Annual vs. per-incident caps: Higher caps (or no caps) = fewer surprises.
• Waiting periods: Many have 2–30 days; some have longer waits for knees/hips—enroll before problems start.
• Exam fees & meds: Some plans include these; others don’t.
• Dental illness (not just cleanings): Ask if periodontal/dental extractions from illness/injury are covered.
• Behavioral/alternative therapies: If these matter to you, confirm coverage.
• Direct pay to vet: Some insurers can pay the clinic directly; others reimburse you.
• Wellness add-ons: Vaccines/heartworm/flea are usually optional riders; decide if you actually need them.

Common exclusions (don’t be surprised)

• Pre-existing conditions (anything noted before enrollment or during the wait period)
• Routine/wellness unless you add a rider
• Breeding, pregnancy, whelping (usually excluded)
• Cosmetic/elective procedures, grooming
• Food/supplements (unless a prescription diet is explicitly covered)

When to enroll
Sooner is better. Enroll when your puppy is healthy so conditions don’t get flagged as pre-existing. If you’re on the fence: start with a higher deductible to keep premiums reasonable and protect against the big, rare bills.
Real-world ballpark costs (why people carry it)

• Foreign body surgery (sock, toy, Croc charm): $2,500–$6,000+
• ER visit with diagnostics/IVs for toxin ingestion: $800–$2,000+
• Cruciate (ACL) repair: $3,000–$6,000+ per knee
• Even one incident can equal several years of premiums.

My bottom line

​Insurance is peace of mind. If you’d lose sleep over a $2–5k surprise, consider a policy. If you’re great at saving and can self-insure, that’s valid too—just be honest about consistency. Either way, temperament and training first (as always ), and plan your finances so you can say “yes” to care when it counts.