Is pet insurance worth the bark? Survey reveals middling results
We treat our pets like family members, spending billions of dollars each year on veterinary bills.
Listen up if you think pet insurance could save money on routine checkups and emergencies.
Consumer Reports found that not all pet insurance parents are satisfied, and there may be better ways to save on medical care for your furry friends.
A survey by Consumer Reports revealed pet owners are pretty unhappy with pet insurance coverage. In the survey, more than 2,000 members shared their experience with pet insurance covering everything from what’s actually covered to the premiums they paid and the claims process for getting reimbursed.
Overall, there was no real top dog. Most of the results found that the insurance companies were all pretty middle of the pack.
CR looked at survey data on eight pet insurance providers. On average, the total cost was around $47 per month per pet.
Six insurance providers earned a midrange overall satisfaction score – two bottomed out with unfavorable ratings.
So, what can you do to save? Put what you would spend on the insurance premium into a dedicated savings account.
Self-insure by putting away money every month into a direct deposit high-yield savings account that you can draw from should your fur baby need some medical assistance.”
If you’re struggling to afford medical care for your pet, consider a trip to a veterinary college that may offer discounts on everything from checkups to spaying and neutering.
If your pet needs medicine, shop around. Ordering medications online from places like Chewy, Petco, PetMeds and Walmart Pet Pharmacy can be cheaper.
Consumer Reports says you can also try telehealth vet services like Bond Vet and Pawp for non-emergency care.
