The Cost of Pet Insurance 

Pet insurance rates vary upon different types of plans, different companies and added benefits of the plans mentioned.

The average American household pays around $480 give or take a year for dog owners for pet health insurance.  Monthly, the costs tend to be around $10 - $30 dependent on the type of plan.  In some cases the plans work on a yearly basis and don't rely on monthly installments to stay active.

Many pet insurance companies use a "Tiered" organization of their insurance plans.  For example, the first tier would be the basic plan which would simply cover check-ups and vaccinations only, while the higher level tiers would cover much more like surgeries and various other medical coverages.

Now in consideration that it could potentially cost thousands upon thousands for medical treatment of your pet, many times it's well worth shelling out the extra cash for the better plans.  It is not uncommon for a pet to get sick or injured.  The risk factors also change based on pet genetics and heritage as well as behavioral factors.

In addition, some insurance companies "bundle" pet health insurance packages so you save when you bundle more than one type of insurance.  This could potentially save you money by doing so.

Take this in to consideration.  The more coverage you have for your pet, the better "Peace of Mind" you will have knowing that you are taken care of both physically and financially.  Bare minimum plans take care of the basics and that is great for some, but if you can't afford big medical bills for your pet, then it may be a wise decision to go a step up or two.