Pet insurance has been increasing in popularity recently, due in large part to the advances of veterinary science and the ever-increasing costs associated with these new advances.

Vets today can offer treatments and procedures that were unheard of just a few years ago, including radiation therapy, transplants, and MRIs. However, these new treatments are not cheap; veterinary costs have risen over 70% in the past five years, to over $19 billion in 2008.

There are now many companies that sell pet insurance, and all sell a wide range of policies from illnesses and accidents only to comprehensive plans. You can choose your own deductibles, co-pays, etc. as we humans do with our health insurance, so it's important to find a plan that's a good fit for you and your pet.

• Does your veterinarian accept the insurance you are interested in purchasing?
  If you don't want to switch vets, check with yours first to see which insurance plans they accept. If you don't mind switching, make sure there is a vet in your area who will accept the insurance and make sure that you will feel comfortable trusting your pet to his or her care.


• Does the plan pay the usual expense amount for services in your area?
  A plan that covers $250.00 for treatment for a broken bone may seem reasonable at the time you purchase the policy, but when your pet sustains a break and you discover that your vet charges $600.00 for this service, you will be responsible for the difference. Look at the plan's payment schedule and see if what they pay is in line with the actual cost of the procedure or treatment where you live.


• Does the plan have exclusions for the breed or age of the pet you are insuring?
  Some plans exclude treatment for older animals and also for the breed of animal. For example, if you have an 8-year-old lab who starts having hip problems, will he be covered?


• Will the coverage you purchase provide for your pet if he/she becomes very ill?
  There are plans that will not cover chemotherapy or radiation for your pet. If this is something that is important to you, be sure to find out whether or not the plan includes this coverage.


• Are surgeries, including common things like hernias, covered?
  More costly items, such as surgeries, should definitely be on your list of things you don't want to pay for out-of-pocket. Again, check to make sure the rate paid is in line with what your vet charges.


• Are annual checkups included in the policy you are interested in purchasing?
  Also see if vaccinations and other things associated with regular care are covered as well.


• Are pre-existing conditions excluded from coverage? (they normally ARE!)
  If you have an animal with a pre-existing condition, weigh the cost of the insurance in comparison for what you are paying now. It may be that the majority of your vet bills will not be covered under the plan and you are better off going it alone.


• Do you have more than one pet to insure?
  If yes, most companies offer a discount if you purchase more than one policy with them.