Pet insurance becoming more popular

SALT LAKE CITY — It might be wise to have health insurance for yourself or family. But what about for your pet, too?

In a recent Associated Press/Petside.com survey, more than 40 percent of pet owners surveyed said they are worried they wouldn't be able to afford health care for a sick dog or cat.

"I have it for catastrophic reasons," said Carl Arky, spokesman for the Humane Society of Utah. "I have mixed feelings about it. It comes down to if you can afford it."

He spends about $30 month for coverage on his two dogs. He said he may drop that health coverage on his dogs when they get older, since he doesn't want to put his pets through a lot of suffering by prolonging their lives via painful medical treatment for a serious illness.

According to www.embrace petinsurance.com, $27 per month is what the average pet owner pays these days for health insurance for a pet. However, the website states that the cost depends on the breed and age of the pet, as well as the deductible and the number of animals covered.

The Utah Insurance Department recently released some advice for individuals considering pet health insurance, because interest in the subject has grown. It is important to realize that there are a number of different plans for pet coverage, and policies vary in what they cover, as well as deductible amounts and lifetime of per illness maximums.

The species, age and even breed of a pet, as well as the expected length of life, can have an impact on life insurance costs. Such a policy on a pet covers the end of life costs for the animal, which can include burial or cremation expenses and even bereavement counseling for the family.

Pet injury coverage is also a type of coverage that may be part of an auto insurance policy, according to the state's website. That portion would cover the treatment of a pet injured in a car accident up to a set limit. Generally, this coverage is automatically part of your auto insurance policy.

The department warns that some pet health insurance policies require you to use a specific network of veterinarians, and state officials encourage prospective buyers to "shop around" and be careful to avoid fraud.

For more information, go to www.insurance.utah.gov or contact the Utah Insurance Department at 801-538-3035.

e-mail: lynn@desnews.com