Should You Get Pet Insurance? The Pros, the Cons, and How to Make the Right Choice for Your Family
At PetMed of Key West Veterinary Clinic in Dubuque, we believe in helping pet parents plan ahead—especially when it comes to unexpected medical costs. One tool that more and more families are considering is pet insurance.
While we don’t endorse a specific company, we strongly recommend comparing plans and understanding exactly what’s covered—and what isn’t—so you can make the best decision for your pet and your budget.
What Is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance helps cover the cost of veterinary care for accidents, illness, and sometimes routine wellness services—depending on the plan. But there’s an important difference from human health insurance:
Veterinary clinics are paid in full at the time of service. Pet insurance companies reimburse you, the pet owner, after you submit a claim. That means you’ll pay your vet bill up front, then submit paperwork to get reimbursed according to your policy.
Why Pet Insurance Can Be a Great Investment
- Peace of mind – Emergencies are stressful enough without financial panic
- Helps cover major costs – Surgeries, diagnostics, hospitalization, and long-term medications
- Supports chronic condition management – Like diabetes, allergies, or arthritis
- Flexible coverage options – Choose deductibles, reimbursement percentages, and more
- Best when started early – Most plans offer better coverage if you enroll while your pet is young and healthy
Things to Know Before You Enroll
- You pay up front. Again, insurance reimburses you—not the veterinary clinic.
- Pre-existing conditions are typically not covered
- Preventive care may not be included (though some plans offer add-on wellness coverage)
- Some treatments (like dental or alternative therapies) may be excluded
- Waiting periods apply before your policy kicks in
- Premiums vary based on breed, age, location, and coverage level
What to Look for When Choosing a Plan
Since no two plans are alike, we recommend gathering quotes from several providers and carefully reviewing:
- What is covered vs. excluded
- Deductible structure (annual vs. per-condition)
- Reimbursement level (often 70%, 80%, or 90%)
- Annual, per-incident, or lifetime payout limits
- Breed-specific or age-related exclusions
- Claim submission process and reimbursement timeline
Pro Tip: Ask how fast claims are processed and whether the company offers direct deposit reimbursements.
Is Pet Insurance Right for You?
It depends on your budget, your pet’s age and health, and your willingness to plan ahead. We’ve seen pet insurance save lives by making expensive but necessary procedures possible for families who otherwise couldn’t afford them.
If you’re not sure insurance is the right route, we also offer:
- Wellness Plans with bundled preventive care services at a monthly cost
- Discounted lab packages for routine monitoring
- Payment options like CareCredit for unexpected expenses
We’re Here to Help
While we don’t recommend any single pet insurance provider, we’re happy to help you:
- Navigate your policy
- Provide medical records
- Submit the documents needed for reimbursement
Call PetMed of Key West Veterinary Clinic in Dubuque today if you’d like help getting started—or just want to talk through whether pet insurance makes sense for your pet’s future care.