What is the best pet insurance?

What is the best pet insurance for dogs?

• Today I took my female 3 year old schnauzer to the vet for a urinary tract infection. With the urinalysis, ultrasound, and antibiotic, it was $160. Earlier in the year she had a skin infection that cost about as much to treat. I also have a 7 year old yorkie and I'm worried that as he ages, medical issues will surface. I'm on a budget but I'm seriously considering pet insurance. Anyone have a good recommendation for a pet insurance? I need something low in cost that covers as much as possible. My other question would be is it even worth getting pet insurance?

• Answer:

  I have researched this for our hospital, and found that VPI pet insurance and Purina Care were the easiest to understand, with the best coverage for the money. Having said that, at 7, your yorkie may not qualify for much -- she has pre-existing conditions and is older. You could check, but probably not worth it at this point. A puppy would be a much more likely candidate for insurance coverage. Of course, the best thing is to pay yourself monthly, putting a designated amount into a special pet account to draw out of for the vet. There's something called Care Credit that is an interest-free loan for 6 months. Lots of our clients use this. It is great, BUT you do have to fulfill your end of the deal, or you'll be hit with huge interest costs after 6 months. Your vet should have the info, or you can look online at www.carecredit.com They send you something that looks like a credit card to swipe at the vet. By the way, if you got an ultrasound, u/a, office visit, and antibiotics for that little, you did great!! Our ultrasounds are over $300 alone. OV about 50, u/a about 35!! Pets are expensive, but I know you'll agree that we get many benefits from having them share our lives!