Photo courtesy of @berthedoodle on Instagram.

As investing in pet insurance becomes increasingly popular amongst dog owners, there are a lot of differing opinions out there on whether it is a smart choice for most consumers. Of course, advertisements and promotional materials for the insurance companies themselves will obviously try to persuade you that it’s a necessity. Some personal finance bloggers on the other hand will have you believe pet insurance is nothing more than a waste of money.

With all this noise out there, who can we trust to point us in the right direction on what’s best for our four-legged family members? How about the same people we trust to keep them healthy in the first place? Veterinarians!

I went on a mission of ignoring the endless opinions online and focusing on finding only direct quotes from real veterinarians on whether they thought pet insurance is worth it. Without discrimination, I’ve compiled quotes from actual practicing veterinarians taking their stance on the pros and cons of pet insurance:

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“Having pet insurance allows pet owners to make medical decisions based on the health and welfare of their pet, rather than what they can afford. No one should have to make life or death decisions based on cost. I often tell pet owners that insurance is the one gamble in life you hope to lose. If a family member – human or animal – has a major medical issue, however, there is no greater feeling than knowing you are covered.” – Dr. Gary Richter (source)

“I think pet insurance is one of the greatest inventions out there. If your pet ever needs life-saving care, you can have peace of mind knowing that you will be able to afford the care they need.” – Dr. Phil Zeltzman (source)

“If you get the right policy, it can be an asset to the health care of that pet and have a significant impact on the bill that results from a visit in an emergency situation. Some people can’t afford the treatment so they ask us to euthanize their pet. It’s absolutely horrible. If people had acquired pet insurance before the emergency occurred, they might have been able to move forward with some reasonable treatment to help their pet.” – Dr. Jean Maixner (source)

“I’m all for having a so-called ‘pet health savings account,’ but not instead of pet insurance. The reason is obvious. What if two months into your savings plan, your pet becomes seriously sick or injured and requires treatment totaling several thousand dollars? You’d be a little short. That’s when a pet insurance policy comes in handy. And situations like that happen all the time in veterinary hospitals around the country.” – Dr. Doug Kenney (source)



“And it breaks your heart, especially when it’s a treatable condition, and it’s because of the money that they can’t do it. There are definitely cases where people who can afford $50 a month for insurance, can’t afford $8,000 in the moment.” – Dr. Jason Nicholas (source)

“Many families get frustrated or feel bad when there are options out there that they can’t afford and pet health insurance helps them to be able to do those things.” – Dr. Adam Hechko (source)

“I wish everyone with a pet had insurance on their pet. They pay 90 percent of it in many cases. So, if your bill is $1,000, you pay only $100 out of pocket, and that allows people to do the things they want to do but could not do without the insurance.” – Dr. Wendy Vogel (source)

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The Verdict:

While I don’t pretend to speak for all veterinarians, from what I’ve gathered the recommendation seems to be fairly unanimous. Pet insurance is a valuable asset and something dog owners should strongly consider.

For that reason, I recommend checking out Healthy Paws Pet Insurance and getting a free online quote. It takes about 5 minutes and there is no obligation whatsoever. They are #1 customer-rated pet insurance company and one of the most affordable, yet comprehensive options. Looking to save even more money? If you get a quote by clicking the button below you’ll save 5% off your monthly payments!

I take pride in in only recommending products and services I truly believe in and stand by. If you have any questions or need assistance at any point please reach out through our contact page!