It’s a sunny afternoon. Your cat is curled up in the window, or your dog is chasing a ball at the park. Then, in seconds, everything shifts, a fall, a seizure, a sudden collapse. You’re at the emergency vet, the doctor’s face is serious, and you’re handed a $7,500 estimate for life-saving treatment.
In that moment, will you have the financial safety net your pet deserves? Or will you have to make an impossible choice and wonder “should I have pet insurance” sooner?
This isn’t rare. Veterinary costs have skyrocketed, emergency surgeries now average $4,000–$12,000. In 2025, pet insurance is no longer “nice to have”, it’s the only way to protect both your heart and your wallet.
Why Waiting Could Be a Dangerous Mistake
Too many pet parents think, “I’ll get insurance when I need it.” Here’s the truth:
Pre-existing conditions aren’t covered. Wait until your pet is sick, and no insurer will pay for it.
Waiting periods delay coverage. Illnesses, accidents, even surgeries may not be covered for weeks or months after signing up.
Cheap plans can leave you uncovered when it matters most. That $15/month plan might skip cancer treatment, hip surgeries, or even emergency hospital stays.
In North America, pet insurance premiums surged from $4.2B in 2023 to $5.2B in 2024, a 20.8% year-over-year increase. The industry also insured a record 7.03 million pets, showing just how fast adoption is growing. Yet despite this momentum, many pet parents still wait too long to enroll, only to discover gaps in coverage when emergencies strike.
Warning: Waiting could cost you more than money, it could cost your pet’s life. Sign up when they’re healthy so coverage is ready when you need it. If you’re asking yourself, “should I have pet insurance now or later?”, or even wondering “is there life insurance for dogs”, the best step is to act before it’s too late.
