In the last two years we have spent quite a bit on sick dogs. We feed them a top-quality dog food, give them plenty of exercise, provide them with air conditioning in the summer and a warm house in the winter, and still there are times when an unexpected trip to the vet occurs.

It's those unexpected trips that cost a lot of money. A blood test at our vet is $110, and that is usually the first thing our vet suggests in order to find out what is wrong. An X-ray is $95, and that is often the second thing.

Since dogs get sick even when they get the best of care (especially as they age), one thing that can save you money is to purchase insurance for your dog.

Dog health insurance plans come in 3 main options:

The value of the claim for each condition or event is capped;

The total annual payout cannot exceed a set amount;

The payout per condition is limited and ceases to cover your pet after twelve months of treatment. This is the cheapest option.

Virtually all pet insurance policies will pay out if your pet dies. As with other types of insurance, you will have to pay an excess if you make a claim.

The cost of the policy depends on which type of policy you want, how much excess you are prepared to pay, the kind of pet you have, its breed (rare breeds are more expensive), its age and even your postal code can make a difference to the premium.
The cheapest insurance is directed at young dogs, and seeing as most can be insured from 8 weeks old and you can then continue insurance for its lifespan, that's the best way to go. If your dog is already 8 or 9 years old when you decide to get it insured, it may be difficult to get worthwhile cover.

This is mainly because the exclusions will list existing health conditions, and at that age, it is likely that your pet will have some known conditions. In any case, at that age a new policy will be more costly.

There are a few ways to lower the premiums - some insurers will discount insurance if your dog has an identity chip, and if you are insuring more than one dog, you will be able to get a quantity discount. These are widely available for your second and subsequent insured dogs.

We love our dogs and don't mind spending money on them for medical needs. But why not get insurance so that these unexpected trips to the vet do not empty our bank account?

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You would never consider going without health insurance for your family but what about your dog?

Although many people think it is an unnecessary expense, health insurance for your pet can actually save you money and spare you from making a tough decision between the life of your dog and paying the bills should a serious health issue arise.

Just like everything else today, Veterinary cost have skyrocketed. When you do not have insurance, you must pay for every visit whether they be routine or emergency. This can run into thousands of dollars so why not get some help?

Just like personal health insurance, health insurance for your dog has annual premiums and, of course a deductible. The premium price depends on the dog breed and type of policy, if you have more than one pet, you can usually get a discount.

As with the premium, the deductibles vary. Typically it is around $100 a year. There are many policies to choose from based on your dogs age, breed, lifestyle and pre-existing conditions.

Theres a dog health plan to please almost everyone. Some plans cover most everything from annual checkups to vaccinations, spaying, neutering and any medications as well as ay sickness and, of course accidents. These policies, of course will be the most costly.

But if you can handle the yearly costs of a well dog just fine and want something just in case your dog becomes injured or sick, you can get a policy that will cover just these occasions.

Getting a new health insurance policy for your dog is similar to getting one for yourself - emergency coverage begins as soon as you sign up with your first payment and there is a 30 day waiting period for illness and other routine claims.

When considering health insurance for your dog, be aware that his age will affect the coverage. Most policies cover the dog starting at 6 weeks of age. On the other end, you may not be able to get coverage for your dog if he is more than 8 years old. Once your dog is covered, however, he will be able to retain coverage past 8 years of age.

Getting health insurance for your dog should be a serious consideration for any pet owner. Think of it as the normal expense for having your pet. It's well worth it and it really set your mind at east to know that should your dog need expensive medical treatment to save his life - you'll be covered.