 TITLE: Do You Need Pet Insurance? CONTENT: How to Decide if You Need Pet Insurance\n---------------------------------------\nDeciding whether to purchase pet insurance is a personal decision. Only you know your pet's needs and can gauge whether you'll need the coverage often enough to justify the premiums. But if you're on the fence, there are a few factors to consider:\n*   **Your pet's age**: The older an animal gets, the greater the chances that they will develop an illness that requires tests, surgeries and even ongoing medication.\n*   **Your pet's overall health**: If you know your pet is predisposed to a certain condition, or you've adopted an animal and aren't sure about its medical history, insurance can serve as a buffer against paying for unexpected health problems.\n*   **Your pet's breed**: Some pet breeds are more prone to serious health issues than others, and treating them can cost thousands of dollars. Large dogs have increased risks of heart disease and arthritis, for example, while pugs are more likely than other breeds to suffer hip dysplasia. Meanwhile, mixed-breed dogs are often cheaper to insure than purebreds because they have a lower risk of genetic disorders, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. Researching your pet's breed, or talking with your vet about common breed issues, may help you decide whether pet insurance is right for your situation.\nOf course, these are just guidelines. Any pet can become ill or suffer serious injuries that require costly medical care. Embrace Pet Insurance found that intestinal issues were the most common claim for both cat and dog owners in 2018, with costs reaching $900 and $790, respectively. Other problems, such as feline leukemia or a ligament tear in your dog's legs, can cost several thousand dollars, according to Embrace.\nThere's also your own peace of mind to consider. Knowing you have insurance may put you at ease, and it can also alleviate financial stress when you're trying to make critical decisions about your pet's care.\nHaving pet insurance also may make you more willing to take advantage of things like checkups and grooming, making for a happier and healthier pet. If having pet insurance makes you more likely to engage in preventive care, you may save money by catching illnesses early and dealing with them before they require more long-term care or emergency intervention. END