Medical costs seem to be skyrocketing with each passing year. The same is often true when it comes to providing medical care for our furry friends. Many people choose to purchase pet insurance. Here are some questions to think about if you’re considering this type of insurance.

* Is pet insurance necessary for every kind of pet? Not necessarily. Some animals have very short life spans, so it’s unlikely you would want to purchase pet insurance for fish, amphibians, or rodents. They don’t generally live more than a few years so you would be wasting your money by purchasing this type of insurance. And, not to sound cold-hearted, but the above types of pets are easier and cheaper to replace than some others.

* What does pet insurance cover? The answer to this question really depends upon the policy you choose and the company you purchase it through. As a general rule, however, pet insurance will likely cover most emergency care. It can also help pay for routine wellness care such as vaccinations and preventative treatments. The policy you choose will dictate the amount of the treatments which are covered and will clearly state which services are not covered.

* What are the pros and cons of pet insurance? Your purebred dog has been hit by a car. You know you must take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible. If you have pet insurance you can take your pet for medical care, fill out an insurance claim, and know you’ll be reimbursed for much of the costs incurred. Without insurance, you would have to pay the money for the visit without hope of recouping any of it.

One of the biggest pros of having pet insurance is that you know you won’t have to pay for everything yourself. In most cases, you will receive up to 80% of the cost after paying your annual deductible. You have peace of mind knowing you can provide your pet the care they need without it breaking your budget.

On the other hand, you have a yearly deductible to meet before the insurance is paid at the full benefit level. You also have to pay the premiums whether you use the insurance or not. Some pet insurance companies restrict which veterinarians you can use. They may also be newer companies which haven’t established a reputation you can trust.

* Can you do without it? People have gone for years without providing insurance for their pets. Of course you can do without it if you are concerned about the cost of the premiums. However, just because you can do without pet insurance, it may still be something you want to consider.

Not having pet insurance doesn’t mean you don’t care for your pet. You can begin a savings account to cover pet medical expenses. You can also choose to pay for the medical charges out of pocket. As long as you’re providing your pet with the care they need, the choice of whether or not to get pet insurance is entirely up to you.