Most Americans know and understand the importance of health insurance coverage, but very few realize the importance of that same coverage for their pets. Just as you need to go to the doctor for routine and preventative care, so does your pet. If you get seriously ill or injured, you will be able to rely, for the most part, on your health insurance coverage in paying the bill, rather than be faced with massive amounts of medical debt. But, what happens if your pet gets seriously ill or injured? Could you afford to pay for emergency medical care straight out of your pocket? If the answer to that question is no, then you definitely need pet health insurance, and the sooner you get it, the better off both you and your pet will be.

As a pet owner, you are responsible for ensuring your pet's health and safety, and that includes bearing the cost of your pet's medical care. Your pet should have regular checkups with the veterinarian, to ensure his health and spot potential problems, as well as for vaccinations and other medical treatment as necessary. Most pets have to see the veterinarian at least twice a year, and those trips usually cost a minimum of $200 or more per visit, and that is just for routine care. If your pet needs anesthesia, vaccinations, wound care, or diagnostic tests, you could expect that figure to double, if not triple. Even if you don't have the cash on hand to pay for your pet's medical treatment, it is still your responsibility to see that he or she receives the medical care needed as soon as possible, which is where pet health insurance comes into play.

When looking for your pet insurance policy, you should take the time to shop around and compare rates and different types of coverage, to make sure that you are getting a good deal with the coverage you need. The best place to start your pet insurance search is of course, on the internet. Simply do a search for pet health insurance, and you will get many, many results of providers offering you plans to choose from. Compare the plans and rates, and pick one. Your insurance coverage usually goes into effect within three days, and will remain in effect as long as you keep your premiums paid, unless you terminate coverage.

Policy coverage varies, but most plans will cover any accidental injury that occurs as soon as coverage goes into effect, but won't cover illnesses or diseases until after the first thirty days of coverage. Some pet insurance policies will allow you to pay a co-pay, and then have the veterinarian's office file a claim for payment, but those policies are rare. Chances are, your pet health insurance policy will require you to pay the charges incurred out of your pocket, and then reimburse you the covered portion once you remit your claim. Yes, you will have to scrape up the money to pay for your pet's care, but you will get most of that money back, so it is a win-win situation.

Just like your own health insurance policy, your pet health insurance policy will have annual deductibles that have to be met first. You can often choose the amount of your deductible, the higher your deductible is, the lower your pet insurance premiums will be. Keep in mind, if you choose a really high deductible plan because it is cheaper, you will be required to pay quite a bit of your pet's veterinary bills out of your own pocket. Pet insurance is very important, and is something that every pet owner should have. Your pet relies on you for its care and medical needs, and you have to provide for those regardless of your own situation.