Fewer than 1 percent of all pets have health insurance. The reasons for this low number are fear, ignorance and a laissez-faire attitude towards the wellbeing of their pets. But it is important that pet be insured against the possibility – sometimes the inevitability – of falling ill or getting run over by a speeding car.

Then there are also the myths that abound around the futility of insuring one’s pets. These myths are sticky and refuse to die a dignified death.

Healthy pets do not need health insurance

Health is a temporary state of being. No-one is healthy all the time so it follows that animals also fall ill occasionally. And it is reassuring to know that there is health insurance to assist when it’s really needed. Pets, especially dogs, are inquisitive things and will lick, chew and bite anything. Yes, even the Christmas tinsel, which can be dangerous. The other good news is that insurance for healthy pets is actually cheaper than for an ill pet. So it pays to get Fluffy insured while she’s still happily chasing after anything that catches her attention.

Very few vets accept pet health insurance

The reality is that there is a growing network of veterinarians who accept payment from pet insurance companies. This is in contrast with 'regular' health insurance for people – not all doctors accept payment from health insurance companies. Pets are actually lucky in this respect: they enjoy far better coverage than their 2-legged friends.

Pet health insurance costs a fortune

This may have been true in the past but it is definitely not true these days. The cost of a basic accident policy is incredibly affordable, sometimes from as little as 37 cents a day. This means that nearly anyone can afford to protect their pets against the possibility of disease or injuries.

It’s too much of a hassle to apply for a policy

This depends on the person’s definition of 'hassle', though there are many ways of getting a health insurance policy without spending hours on the phone or filling in many forms.

Pet insurance policies are too complex to understand

Pet insurance companies try to make their policies as easy to understand as is possible.

Author bio:

Bow Wow Pet Insurance wrote this article about the 5 most common pet health insurance myths.