Dorothy Hernandez looks at 2 year old Jackson as a member of her family. That’s why it was so important to get pet health insurance for him. "The dog I had prior to this was a Siberian husky, Champ. And I always carried health insurance with him. And I found it to be a good thing." Just like people, pet health insurance has different levels of care at different price points. "Pet health insurance will also at times cover general wellness. There will be a co-pay, if you will, for vaccinations, for heartworm preventative, for flea control." Doctor Manuel Sanchez says some pre-existing conditions might not be covered. Certain breeds may require more coverage. "There's a saying that Boxers are walking, talking tumor waiting to happen. And so again, because that breed is predisposed, then an insurance company may require a higher level of coverage." Removing the financial aspect when it comes to making the tough decision on costly care is the biggest benefit. "The most difficult part of my job is really being able to provide the level of care but a pet owner not being able to afford that level of care." A challenge Dorothy is prepared for should Jackson ever need treatment beyond routine care. “To me, they're not a whole lot different than a human person, a child or whatever. So, it's important for me to, for him to be in the best health." Most vets can offer suggestions on providers of pet health insurance. Or shop on the Internet. A basic policy runs about $200 a year and increases in cost depending upon the level of coverage. Dental coverage for pets is also available.