We hate seeing our pets in discomfort or pain. We’ll rush them to the veterinarian without thinking twice about spending more than a car payment or monthly mortgage on their well-being. In times like these, finding the best way to handle the expenses becomes a concern.

Plenty pet owners opt for pet insurance, which can help defray costs and lower the cost of expensive procedures. US News and World Report recently published a story about the pros and cons of pet insurance.

Health care for pets operates much the same as health care for humans. Insurance prices can be high, not all procedures are covered and companies can deny carrying a client because of a preexisting condition, the report found.

However, there’s plenty of options for pet care in the marketplace. Some plans are more comprehensive than others, so shopping around and comparing coverage is key, the report advised.

Those able to afford the monthly premiums and deductibles benefit most from pet insurance. Just be sure to pour over the coverage to see what your costs will be. No one wants to spend several hundred to several thousand a year on insurance just to discover a needed procedure isn’t covered.