Pet Insurance: Is it Worth it?

Let's be real—vet visits are one of the biggest expenses of having a dog. From annual checkups and routine medications to unexpected emergency visits, the costs can quickly add up.

Many pet owners choose to get insurance to help manage these costs, but is it really worth it? While it's crucial to do your own research, I’m here to share our experiences along with some pros and cons we've encountered.

For my six-year-old American Bully, Marlee, I've been using MetLife Pet Insurance for the past two years. This plan costs $60 a month with a $250 deductible and covers 80% of annual checkups, emergency visits, and medications like heartworm and flea and tick prevention. It’s important to remember that insurance policies vary—some may not cover as many aspects of healthcare, while others have different reimbursement structures or monthly rates. I’m here to share our experience with MetLife, so you can determine if this plan—or pet insurance in general—might be the right fit for you and your pup!

Pros:

Annual Visits

Annual vet visits are the most important factor in keeping your pup healthy. These checkups allow the vet to thoroughly examine your dog, monitor their overall health, and ensure they’re up to date on vaccinations. As your dog ages, these visits become even more important, with necessary tests to catch any potential issues early. During Marlee’s annual visits, I also stock up on her heartworm and flea and tick prevention, which usually brings the total cost of the visit to around $470. Knowing that I can get 80% of this back has been helpful in the long run.

Emergency Visits

Emergency and urgent vet services often come with a higher price tag than your regular vet visits. While no one ever hopes to need these services, they’re sometimes necessary—whether it’s a true emergency or simply a situation where waiting for an appointment with your usual vet isn’t ideal. This year, thankfully, Marlee has only needed to visit the urgent vet once. She was suffering from severe allergies that escalated to the point where I couldn’t leave her alone due to excessive itching. It was a weekend and I knew in that case, I would have to wait well over a week to get her in to see the vet, so I opted to take her to an urgent vet. That single visit cost $400. 

And that was a good year. In the past, we've faced multiple visits for skin issues, nail infections, and other recurring problems. If you’ve been through similar situations, you know how quickly those expenses can add up, making it feel like a never-ending cycle. Having insurance to help offset some of these costs is a huge relief. The stress of worrying about your dog’s health is already overwhelming, and adding financial stress on top of that can be incredibly taxing. 

Medication

If you have a larger dog, you’re probably familiar with the rising costs of heartworm prevention and flea and tick treatments as your pup’s weight increases. For Marlee, a six-month supply of Heartgard and NexGard is around $220. 

On top of that, when you review your vet bills from illness visits, it’s clear that the most significant expenses often come from the medications they prescribe. The exam itself might cost around $75, but then they add on $150 (or more) for medication—craziness! And if your dog gets ill frequently or requires daily medications, those costs can really start to pile up. Having insurance to help relieve some of these costs can help bring a peace of mind.

Cons:

Can Be Difficult

Managing some pet insurance policies can be a bit challenging. For instance, MetLife often requires multiple pieces of documentation to process a claim. There have been instances where I’ve waited 3-4 months for reimbursement. I’d submit one document, wait a week for it to be reviewed, only to find out it was incorrect, then submit another, and the cycle would repeat. If you have the financial flexibility to cover the costs upfront and can afford to wait for the reimbursement, this delay might not be a huge issue for you. However, if waiting more than a month to receive your money would cause financial hardships, you might want to consider a different insurance provider. That being said, it’s important to remember that most insurance companies handle a large volume of claims, so some delay is probably unavoidable regardless of the provider you choose. 

Can Potentially Pay More Than You Would Without It

If your vet visits are typically just annual checkups and routine medications, you might end up paying more for insurance than you would ever get back in claims. For instance, my insurance costs $970 annually, even if I don't make a single claim. Some dogs are just naturally very healthy and you could very well have that dog! You could potentially never even pay that much even with visits besides your annual. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to invest in insurance for those "just in case" moments, or if you're comfortable covering unexpected costs out of pocket. If you have the financial cushion to handle emergencies without insurance, it might make more sense for you to opt out completely. 

May Not Cover Everything

Each insurance plan offers different coverage. My plan, for instance, covers annual checkups, emergencies, and medications like heartworm prevention—but not all plans offer the same benefits. It's essential to find a policy that aligns with your needs and your pup's health requirements, and that will save you the most money over time. When selecting a plan, research is your best friend. Take the time to compare options, read the fine print, and ensure you’re choosing a plan that provides the coverage that will bring you the best outcome. 

Overall, I highly recommend pet insurance for anyone with a dog, especially for those of us who own bully breeds. If you’re familiar with the breed, you know all too well about the persistent allergies and skin issues they can face. While some years are smooth sailing, there are others when these problems seem to pile up, making insurance invaluable.

Take Marlee, for example—this year, if all goes well, our only additional vet expenses will be her annual checkup and medications. So we might end up spending a bit more with insurance than if we paid out of pocket. But in previous years, we’ve easily exceeded the cost of our insurance coverage due to multiple vet visits and treatments.

At the end of the day, if she ever needed urgent care, more medication, or, heaven forbid, had a serious condition that needed treatment, our insurance would be a financial lifesaver. Making sure your pup is healthy is already stressful and the last thing you need is stressing about not being able to afford the care that they need.

I suggest doing your research and finding a plan that fits both your budget and your pup’s specific needs. Make sure the company and plan you choose offers the right balance of coverage and cost-effectiveness, giving you peace of mind in both good years and bad.

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Disclaimer: I am not a professional. This blog post reflects my personal opinions and experiences and is not endorsed or affiliated with MetLife. For important decisions regarding your pet's health and care, always consult with your veterinarian, trainer, and other qualified healthcare professionals.