It’s hard to tell what’s rising faster these days, the cost of regular vet visits or the need for them. Inflation is making life challenging for owners trying to supply essential care for their pets. A recent Forbes survey revealed that 42% of owners would go into debt if a bill exceeded $1,000, with 63% stating they would have difficulty paying a surprise vet bill1.
And higher vet bills may become less surprising in coming years, especially as increasing cases of illnesses like canine influenza cause more frequent health problems across South Carolina. You can expect to pay $24–$51 for dogs and $13–$34 for cats for pet insurance in South Carolina.
Put the costs and consequences together, and it becomes clear that pet insurance is more worthwhile than ever. Learn how to start protecting your pet and your wallet today as we explore the cost of pet insurance in South Carolina.
The Importance of Pet Insurance
Our cats and dogs can live surprisingly exciting lives outside and indoors, but they don’t always approach situations with forethought and care. Accidents happen, as do sicknesses and unfortunate encounters with other animals. No matter how well you train your pet, there’s always the potential for unanticipated vet visits.
Unfortunately, we’re rarely prepared for the unexpected and don’t often budget for it. With emergency visits and overnight stays easily exceeding $600, many owners go deeper into debt to take care of their pets.
With pet insurance, you pay a monthly premium for coverage. If your pet has an accident or gets sick, your insurance provider steps in to help you cover the costs after you meet your deductible. Unlike health insurance, you pay for the pet care upfront, but your provider pays you back according to their reimbursement rate and annual coverage caps.
Because you pay upfront, you don’t have to worry about in-network providers as you would with your health care plan. There are also plans like those through Trupanion that pay the bill at the time of care. These insurers use provider networks but offer invaluable peace of mind by covering bills at the time of care.
Pet insurance allows you to give your pets the care they deserve at a price you can afford. It assures you that you’ll be able to navigate the random accident or illness and keeps you from having difficult financial discussions at the vet. You can save money, your pet will be healthier, and you’ll no longer have to fret over one of life’s biggest “what ifs.”
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How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in South Carolina?
Monthly premiums for pet insurance average roughly $24–$51 for dogs and $13–$34 for cats, with an annual deductible of $250–$500. These ranges are general, as several variables can significantly impact your monthly costs, including:
The rates can sway significantly from the low to the high end. A sample quote with a South Carolina pet insurance provider for a 3-year-old, 55-pound dog reveals as much with this breakdown:
Factors such as location can also swing the rate by $5–$10 per month, but it’s not as simple as assuming that cities are more expensive than smaller towns. The best way to get the highest value from your plan is to shop multiple quotes after budgeting your needs. Some helpful questions to ask include:
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
The two primary coverages for pets are accidents and illnesses. Most providers offer the two coverages together, though many include accident-only options.
Accident coverage takes care of injuries, including bite wounds, cuts, broken bones, and accidental ingestion. Insurance will not cover intentional injuries. A submitted claim can help pay for numerous services, such as MRIs and X-rays, stitches, prescriptions, surgeries, and hospitalizations.
Illness coverage applies to the diagnosis and treatment of various ailments and diseases, such as:
Some insurers will also include behavioral issues in their covered conditions. Insurance will help with tests, procedures, and often alternative treatments such as acupuncture. Many providers offer add-ons to cover wellness visits for routine exams, vaccinations, heartworm shots, and flea and tick preventatives.
What Doesn’t Pet Insurance Cover?
The primary exclusion common to all insurers is incurable pre-existing conditions. Insurance providers can’t help with illnesses like cancer if your pet received a diagnosis before you bought coverage. Some insurers distinguish between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions. If symptoms subside for a certain period, such as a bladder infection that didn’t return, they may treat it as a new condition.
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Conclusion
You may not be able to predict the future, but you can prepare for it through affordable pet insurance. With an appropriate plan, you can avoid the challenging, unexpected decisions that compromise your finances and your family. Consider how much you can put aside each month, and shop as many quotes as possible to give you the confidence that your pet will have the care they need when disaster strikes.
Featured Image Credit: Robert Kneschke, Shutterstock
