Search
Close this search box.

Best pet insurance plans of 2020

photo-of-women-holding-their-dogs-while-sitting-on-grass-4148860

Best pet insurance plans of 2020

A study from U.K.-based People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals revealed that pet parents dramatically underestimate the costs of owning a pet over a lifetime. The majority of pet owners surveyed said they believed lifetime expenses wouldn’t top $6,445 — a fraction of actual costs. According to the study, the approximate lifetime cost of owning a dog ranges from $27,074 to $42,545, and $21,917 to $30,942 for cats. The study accounted for everything from food and grooming to health and veterinarian expenses.

Pet insurance, however, can offer owners some protection when it comes to veterinarian bills for illnesses and accidents — and it can also come in handy during times of uncertainty.

MONEY recently evaluated pet insurance plans in the U.S. to find the best ones available. In their assessment, MONEY considered pricing, coverage options and additional benefits and spoke to veterinary doctors to gain an understanding of how insurance affects pets and owners.

“Most leading pet insurance companies give pet owners comprehensive coverage at an affordable monthly premium. The differences lie in the details and fine print,” writes Noel Dávila for MONEY. ”Shop around, do the research, and then make a well-informed decision about the insurance that is best suited to care for your pet and your pocket.”

Look through the slideshow above for MONEY’s picks for the best pet insurance of 2020, as well as the reasons why each plan stands out.

Pet preparedness

June is Pet Preparedness Month and highlights why pet parents should consider insurance as an extra layer of security during a time of crisis.

Ready.gov shares few tips on how pet parents can build an emergency kit to keep pets happy, safe, and comfortable during a natural disaster. Kits should include essential items such as:

  • At least a three-day supply of food and water
  • Medicines
  • Medical records, proof of vaccinations, registration and adoption documents, and insurance information
  • First aid kit (cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors, antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention, latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol, saline solution, and a pet first aid reference book)
  • Collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag, and a leash
  • Crate or pet carrier
  • Sanitation needs (litter box and litter, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, and household chlorine bleach)
  • A picture of the pet and pet parent  together to prove ownership
  • Familiar items, such as treats, toys, and bedding

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related posts

Insurance-technology

Hard Market Needs Tech & Creativity: Navigating Challenges in the Insurance Industry

The insurance market is experiencing significant instability due to inflation, the global pandemic, evolving cybersecurity risks, and climate change. According to experts at Send’s INFUSE webinar titled Navigating the Hard Insurance Market, innovative technology and creative product design could be key in bringing stability to this challenging environment. Rising Risks and Challenges The growing frequency of weather-related disasters has especially made risk assessment difficult for insurers. Tandis Nili, managing principal of global risk management at Epic Insurance Brokers, highlighted that underwriting has struggled to keep pace. “Weather patterns are changing rapidly, and the underwriting models we’ve relied on are no longer sufficient,” Nili remarked. The traditional methods of predicting risks, based on past events, are no longer applicable as 100-year events are now happening much more frequently. Leveraging Technology for Stability Martina Conlon, executive principal at Datos Insights, emphasized the importance of utilizing automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to address this volatility. AI-driven predictive models, she explained, can assist insurers in making more accurate risk assessments, which in turn leads to better pricing and more efficient processes. “It’s all about moving beyond traditional tools like spreadsheets and policy systems,” Conlon said. By integrating more advanced technology, insurers can streamline operations and enhance accuracy in their assessments. Creative Product Innovation Another critical aspect in managing the hard market is innovative product design. Jennifer Kyung, CEO of NextGen Underwriting, discussed the opportunities for insurers to rethink product structures. This could involve adding new lines for emerging risks or restructuring existing products to share the responsibility between insurers and clients. For example, home insurance policies could evolve, particularly in regions facing heightened risks due to climate change. “This is a real opportunity for underwriters to creatively design products that better align with future risk landscapes,” Kyung added. Preparedness: A Key Lesson Lastly, the past few years have highlighted the need for insurers to be prepared for the unexpected. While it’s impossible to predict future events, the industry can ensure that it has the right tools and capabilities in place to respond swiftly and effectively when crises arise. As Kyung put it, “We may not predict what’s coming, but we can be ready for whatever it is.” Conclusion In today’s volatile market, insurers must embrace both technological advancements and creative product design to navigate the evolving risk landscape. By doing so, they can enhance stability, build consumer trust, and be prepared for future challenges.

Read More
Commercial Auto

Around the P&C Insurance Industry: November 20, 2024

Porsche Auto Insurance:Launched an unlimited insurance product for high-mileage Porsche owners driving over 10,000 miles annually. This complements their pay-per-mile policies, allowing owners to choose fixed premiums or mileage-based options. Multiple vehicles on a single policy can also have mixed coverage. Safeco Insurance:Entered a book transfer agreement with Main Street America Insurance, enhancing its personal lines presence in 22 states. Main Street America is shifting focus to commercial lines, including commercial products and bonds. Resilient Cities Network & Tokio Marine Group:Partnered to bolster urban resilience projects. The collaboration supports the Resilience Finance Taskforce, helping cities globally scale investment strategies for resilience and climate adaptation. Skyward Specialty Insurance Group:Introduced life sciences liability coverage tailored for the life sciences industry, addressing risks such as medical liability, errors and omissions, and general liability. This strategic move supports the complex insurance needs of healthcare innovators. AAIS Partner Program:Welcomed Sproutr, offering AAIS members access to tools and services that streamline operations and foster growth in insurance processes. Duck Creek Technologies:Opened its second Center of Excellence in Warsaw, Poland, enhancing global customer service capabilities, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific regions. Liberty Mutual & Coursera:Launched an entry-level course, Insurance Sales Agent, to train learners in risk management, sales, and ethical practices, equipping them for careers in insurance sales. World Insurance Associates:Acquired United Counties Insurance Group of Old Bridge, NJ, expanding its regional operations. Previsico:Unveiled Instacasting, a flood mitigation solution using rainfall data for real-time surface water flood predictions, enabling faster and more precise response strategies.

Read More
Try your instant quote