The History of Pet Health Insurance
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Mar 23, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Mar 23, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
The history of pet insurance began more than a century ago in Sweden.
As long ago as 1890, Swedish animal insurers covered livestock and horses.
They did not, however, extend insurance policies to pets until 1924.
Twenty years later, an insurance company in England sold its first pet insurance policy.
Pet insurance was not readily available in the USA until the 1980s.
The North American Pet Health Insurance Association, or NAPHIA, was established in 2007 to oversee the ethics, standards and best practices of the pet insurance industry.
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
Today, a number of reputable insurers routinely offer pet insurance policies for dogs and cats.
Notable animal rights group American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (ASPCA licensed its name to Hartville Group Inc.) was one of the first out of the gate to form one of the major pet insurance outfits in the nation.
Additionally, Hartville Group offers pet health insurance under the Pet Insured, Pet Premium and Pets Healthcare Plan brands.
Need Pet Insurance?
FACT: Pet insurance pays up to 90% of vet bills when your pet is sick or injured!
Which Companies Offer Pet Health Insurance?
Our love for pets continues to grow with more than half of the U.S. households owning pets. (For more information, read our “What are the pros and cons of owning a pet?“).
And many of those homes have 2 to 4 pets!
In fact, approximately almost 70% of U.S. households, or more than 88 million families, own a pet to two, according to the 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey.
We understand the importance of keeping our pets healthy and always want to be able to afford the best care for them, especially if something dire were to occur.
And more pet insurance companies got the message. Consumers need more choices!
Trupanion and Nationwide, formerly VPI, were established in the late 1980s and were the premier go-to pet insurance companies out of the gate.
Today, there are at least 15 – 20 pet insurance providers.
The good news is that because the pet insurance market is competitive, there are many choices to get the right price and coverage for your pets.
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Is Pet Health Insurance Worth It?
Emotionally, yes. Financially? It really depends on your dog, cat or even bird.
The real benefit of having pet insurance is to know that if your pet gets really sick or in an accident, you have the financial resources to pay the vet bill.
If your pet is young and healthy, you might be able to skip it. But, here’s the caveat.
When they are young, they don’t have any pre-existing conditions.
Therefore, if you can insure them before some major illness or condition occurs, you will invariably save money in the long run.
If you have an indoor domestic cat that you take to the vet once a year, then maybe pet insurance isn’t worth it.
Just put money aside each month to be safe!
However, there are certain breeds of cats and dogs are predisposed to certain hereditary illnesses and conditions.
With these breeds, pet insurance can certainly help offset costs.
Real Cost Savings from PetFirst Clients
Luna
PetFirst saved his parents
$6,712
A happy energetic Luna one morning couldn’t hold her food down. After months of multiple costly vet visits to specialists and an endoscopy, the problem was discovered and fixed. Luna put 22 pounds back on in no time and her parents were grateful for having PetFirst by their side to pay the bills.
What Do Experts Say?
Consumer Reports, in 2016, had a very popular and often quoted study which essentially stated that most pet insurance policies cost more than they pay out.
Are they right?
Sure, there will be some years that you have a healthy pet all year and the pet insurance premiums feel like a waste of money.
BUT, all it takes is that one word, Cancer, or that horrible accident, and you are so relieved to have pet insurance.
Consumer Reports also mentioned that if you do buy pet health insurance, buy wisely.
Read every word of the company’s policy and note any and all service fees, deductibles, co-pays, and limitations.
Which is absolutely correct and goes for whatever new insurance you purchase.
Why Should I Purchase Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is useful when it comes to paying the rising costs of vet bills, but what many people don’t realize are the ADDED EXTRAS that are automatically included in many pet insurance policies.
Most pet insurance companies provide public liability cover as standard – in the event your dog bites someone, for example – as well as paying out on advertising and reward should your four-legged friend go missing.
Vet bills are arguably the biggest expense and it’s for this reason most people enroll in pet insurance.
The cost of treatments can be extremely high, and unexpected illnesses or accidents can really hit you where it hurts the most – your bank balance.
If you’re fortunate enough to have plenty of savings put aside, you might be better off without monthly insurance payments that build up to a high overall lifetime cost.
If you don’t, paying a small sum every month will be far more welcome than receiving a bill for up to $15,000.
It takes the worry out of not providing your dog or cat the best care if something drastic occurs.
As always, it’s important to shop around before signing up with a new policy.
There are vast variations in price and coverage and it’s important to make sure you get what you need.
Weigh the pros and cons of pet insurance before enrolling your pet in a policy.
Real Cost Savings from PetFirst Clients
Gidget
PetFirst saved his parents
$2,194
Artemis was a beautiful and friendly cat to all who were willing to pet him. Unfortunately, he developed feline diabetes which required regular vet visits and medications that his Mother could not otherwise afford on her fixed income. Having PetFirst insurance, she called and discussed the problem with a friendly PetFirst agent. To her surprise, she found out that Artemis’ ongoing required vet visits and medication would be covered by his PetFirst insurance. Artemis was able to live out the rest of his life with proper medical care and medicines thanks to PetFirst insurance.
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Types of Pet Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive Coverage
The best most well-rounded coverage is comprehensive coverage which covers virtually all accidents and illnesses AND the treatment for these occurrences.
It’s the best type of coverage to have if your furry companion develops a long-term condition, such as diabetes or even an on-going ear infection.
Accident Only Coverage
Accident Only Coverage is pet insurance that covers only accidents.
It’s less expensive, but for just that reason. It doesn’t cover any illnesses or conditions.
Wellness Plans
Wellness plans are essentially coverage for certain routine vet visits.
You can add this to a comprehensive package for a fee each month.
If you are low on income, you can skip on the wellness plans because the routines costs of pet care are very affordable.
Read more: Free Pet Insurance for Low Income Families
Benefit Limits
The benefit limits are the maximum amount that the pet insurance company will pay out each year.
Policies with unlimited lifetime benefits, like the one that Healthy Paws offer, are always a good choice because you know there will never be a maximum amount the company pays for your pet if they develop a serious illness.
Other Factors That Affect Premiums
There are other factors that can affect the cost of insurance premiums:
Reimbursements
The reimbursement level you choose, generally from 70% to 90% can affect your premiums.
The lower your reimbursement level, the lower your premium.
Deductibles
The deductible is the first payment you make before the pet insurance company reimburses you.
The higher the deductible, the lower the premium.
Age
If your pet is considered old – generally around 8 to 10 years old – then you might notice a large increase in the cost of your policy.
It’s always best to insure your pets while they are young.
Location
Your zip code or location has a big impact on your premiums because it’s linked to average vet prices.
Big cities like New York’s vets tend to charge more than those in rural locations, meaning pet owners in major cities are likely to pay far higher costs than their country-dwelling cousins. (For more information, read our “Pet Insurance in New York City “).
Breed
The breed of your cat or dog can affect the price of coverage since certain breeds are predisposed to certain health issues.
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What Isn’t Covered
Read over the small print and make sure you’re aware of the things that aren’t covered by your new policy.
The most common restrictions are the following:
- Pre-Existing Conditions
- Preventative Care – Flea Control, Vaccinations, and Other Routine Costs
- Anything Birth-Related
- Cosmetic Procedures
Final Thoughts
The reason there are so many different pet insurance companies today is that there is a demand for it.
Our pets have become such an integral part of our family and we never want to be in a position where we can’t pay for their best care in the event of an emergency.
Your vet is always the best resource to talk about the health of your pet and the conditions your pet might encounter in the future.
With so many pet insurance company choices, the best thing you can do it to get a quote from a few providers to see if it makes sense for your pet and your financial situation.
A price comparison tool is a great way to see a snapshot of all the different companies and what they have to offer.
Our best pet insurance companies is a great place to start!
Other articles you may find helpful:
Is Exotic Pet Insurance Necessary?
The Best Pet Insurance By State
Fun Facts, Dog FAQ, And Unsolicited Dog Advice
5 Training Commands to Save Your Dog’s Life
The Ultimate Guide to Safe Foods for Dogs
Pet insurance is similar to other insurances but does have some major differences as compared to your health insurance. Below you will find a definitive list of frequently asked pet insurance questions to help in your decision.
Types of Pet Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive Pet Insurance Explained
Insurance vs. Wellness Pet Insurance Plans
Is Pet Dental Insurance Worth the Extra Cost
Best Pet Insurance Plans with Shortest Waiting Periods
Pet Insurance Coverage Exclusions and Limits
Pet Insurance Benefit Limits Explained
How to Make a Claim on your Pet Insurance
Is my Pet too Old for Pet Insurance Coverage
Top Reasons to Purchase Pet Insurance
How much does Pet Insurance Cost
Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets
Pet Insurance that Covers Spaying and Neutering
Does Pet Insurance Cover Shots
Pet Insurance with Pre-Existing Conditions
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.