If Rover has a rash or Fluffy gets the flu, it’s usually not terribly expensive to treat them at your local vet. But if your cat gets hit by the mail truck or your dog breaks its leg, the vet bills could become financially daunting. And when Rover or Fluffy are in pain or worse, in a life threatening situation, as any animal lover knows, whether you have it or not, money is no object.

In spite of a sagging economy, the number of pets with health insurance is growing rapidly in South Carolina. As of 2009, one company, Veterinary Pet Insurance Company, insured more than 3,745 pets in South Carolina and 303 of those in Columbia – almost a 200 percent increase from 2004 when VPI insured only 107 pets in Columbia.

This growth of interest in pet insurance is in part, largely due to the sophistication and cost of veterinary care increasing. As that happens pet owners want to make sure finances never prevent a pet from receiving the optimal treatment, said Grant Biniasz, company spokesman.

“The perception of pets has changed dramatically over the decades,” he said. ‘Where the pioneers and early settlers viewed animals as working stock or food, today’s pet owner thinks of their furry or feathered friends as part of the family. Consequently, they want that family member protected in case of a debilitating illness and even in preventive care.”

By taking out insurance on the animals, the pet owners are assured that in case of an accident the animal would be able to be treated.

“Vets today have the knowledge and technology to save pets that just a few years ago wouldn’t have had a chance. People who love their animals don’t want to deprive their pets of that because of money.”

Various insurance programs offer numerous forms of coverage, Binaiasz said.

“In our company, you have several options ranging from spaying or neutering your cat or dog and getting its shots and preventative care all the way to dental hygiene and emergency care,” he said.

Candida Thomas, a Columbia resident has three dogs insured with VPI, and she said it was good to know that she had the means to care for all of them. Her dog, Princess, went to the vet for inter vertebral disc disease and Thomas was reimbursed $2,068.20 for a $2,780.00 claim.

“I don’t know what I would have done without the insurance,” she said. “Princess, a Pekinese, injured herself jumping off the couch. It was an injury to her vertebrae and could have been fatal. She was in an emergency animal hospital for three weeks. The insurance took care of almost 80% of the bill.”

Maryland Scott, a recent transplant to Columbia, said that she doesn’t have insurance and she’s not sure it’s worth it.

“Once you get the new puppy or kitten and get its shots and have it fixed, except for a yearly exam, if they are healthy they don’t really go to the vet that often to warrant the monthly premiums.”

Thomas disagrees with Scott on that note.

“Vet visits are expensive,” she said. “I think the monthly payments are easy to meet, especially if you have more than one or two pets. And you never know when something tragic will happen. It’s best to be safe.”

Local vets said that the insurance works well, but the pet owner still has to pay the out–of–pocket money up front. If you have that, the insurance will reimburse you quickly and painlessly.

Depending on the type of coverage a pet owner wants and the age and health of the animal, premiums start at $18 to $25 for a puppy and $13 to $22 for a kitten. The deductibles vary but are typically around $50 for preventive care, according to the various brochures that can be found in any vet’s office.

“Even if you had to put it on a credit card, the insurance would kick in before the payment was due,” Thomas said.

Melinda Hydrick, a receptionist at Spring Valley Animal Hospital in North East Columbia said that the insurance works to the client’s advantage.

“In our office, the pet owners who have it are very happy with it,” she said. “No one would want to be in the horrible position of not having the money to save their beloved animal. And from our experience, the insurance companies reimburse the clients quickly.

While there are certain rules and exceptions, the insurance works pretty much like human insurance. The older the animal, the more the premium and some things, like hip displacement in large dogs that are prone to that particular malady, are exempt. But for an animal that needs treatment for diabetes or cancer, it can be invaluable, Thomas said.

“I love my dogs,” she said. “They are my family, and I want to know they will be taken care of. Having the insurance gives me peace of mind.”