Little Bunnies, Big Bills

By Alix B.

Nothing is more heartbreaking than a sick bunny. While we would all love to give our buns any and everything they need, finances can be a real concern. Thankfully, there are options to help next time we need to hop to the vet.

Pet Insurance

Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), owned by Nationwide, is the only pet insurance company to offer small animal policies. The plan for rabbits is $12/month per pet and covers accidents, injuries, illnesses, hospitalizations, diagnostics, surgeries, and medications. You pay your veterinarian up front, but for covered services, you receive reimbursement after the insurance processes the claim. There is a $50 deductible per incident, and the insurance covers 90% after that, up to the maximum benefit allowed per condition.

CareCredit

CareCredit is a medical credit card that can be used to cover the costs of veterinary bills. For any purchases over $200 it is interest-free if you make the monthly payments on time and pay off the total amount before the end of the promotional period. Most veterinary offices offer 6-month interest-free plans. There is no sign-up fee or annual fee. CareCredit works well in conjunction with pet insurance to cover the up-front cost of the bill while waiting for reimbursement.

Pet Assure

Pet Assure is a network of veterinary clinics that offer discounts to Pet Assure members. It covers 25% of all the approved in-hospital veterinary treatments, exams, and surgeries. Pet Assure does not cover inventory items, such as prescription medications sent home. The costs are $149/year for 2-4 pets per household and $199/year for unlimited pets. The only catch is you must make sure your primary care veterinarian is willing to become a provider before signing up. You can recommend them to your veterinarian through the Pet Assure website.

Edited by Erica W.