Why is pet health insurance important for pet owners?

Pet health insurance is an important, but often misunderstood, strategy for managing health care and its associated costs. Properly utilized, pet health insurance provides pet owners with piece of mind that they are prepared for whatever eventualities lay ahead, and many times those eventualities are an unavoidable part of pet ownership. All pets are susceptible to some risks, whether they are genetic, environmental or associated with lifestyle, and insurance is an established and well-regulated mechanism for managing those risks.
An interesting paradox exists in that while most veterinarians would like pet owners to have appropriate insurance when faced with major pet expenditures, they often do not have the training or the time to discuss the relative merits of different insurance plans and policies with pet owners. Because of this, it can be difficult for pet owners to select appropriate policies, so they have the coverage that they want, when it is needed. That’s why this FAQ was created.