Is Pet Health Insurance an Option?

Most pet owners arent aware that health insurance for their loved animals has been available for about 15 years now. However, both the availability and restrictions on most plans have made this type of health insurance out of reach for most pet owners.

Interestingly enough, pet health insurance has changed in the past couple of years. Now, animal owners are able to afford medical procedures previously prohibitive because of the cost. But many skeptics are concerned that health insurance for pets will see an increase in the red tape us humans already encounter every day.

Animal medicine is one of the few health care services that isnt financially dependent on health insurance. Medical, dental, surgical and pharmaceuticals are all pretty much covered by health insurance in humans, but veterinary patients are responsible for all of that, themselves. Or, at least their owners are.

Health insurance for pets is very similar to insurance for humans. The same fees, deductibles, coverage rates and plans are all in place, with different plans based on the age, species, and general health of your pet.

Most health insurance policies for animals start around the 6-8 week range, but when the policies end depend on a variety of factors, mostly decided by the health insurance company. Some have age limits, and some dont.

And just like with humans, some health insurance companies will only accept your pet on their plan if they are healthy; others will accept them only if they have had a stable condition for more than six months in a row.

Currently, deductibles stand around $100 for pet health insurance. Policy costs vary as much as human health insurance does, unfortunately. Some depend on what types and kind of coverage is desired, and yet others are just blanket coverage catch-alls. Some may only cover accidents and illnesses. And more pets usually means a reduced health insurance rate for subsequent animals.

But what if you decide that an health insurance policy is not right for you, and your pet? There are other options, of course!

First, discuss your situation with your Veterinarian. Some animal hospitals offer packages that arent quite health insurance, but can offer a rate deal of some sorts on more mundane medical procedures (spaying/neutering, vaccinations, etc.), or packages for your aging animal.

Secondly, research plans that offer discounts on animal health services. PetAssure is one of these companies, but there are a myriad of not-for-profits that may offer this as a side benefit when you join. Or, these same animal not-for-profits may offer financial assistance for pet owners whose health costs are beyond their means a sort of emergency fund, if you will.

All in all, it depends on you, and your pet(s), whether or not pet health insurance is the right choice. Hopefully, with the help of this article, your choice will be an informed one.

William Aloysius Keleher Legal Career

William Aloysius Keleher (1886-1972) became interested in law while observing the events at Bernalillo Country Courthouse. He joined a Law School at Washington and Lee University in Virginia the month of September, 1913. After nearly two years (mid-1915), he received his Bachelor of Law degree and was admitted to the New Mexico Bar after a few months.

After graduating, William Keleher pursued a career in law and relentlessly practiced it. Eventually, he created a law firm that would one day, become the oldest and the most prestigious law firm in New Mexico. In 1929, he was joined by A. Howell McLeod and together, they became the most prominent trial lawyers in New Mexico. William's sons (William B. Keleher & Thomas F. Keleher) chose to follow the same path, which practiced law at the family firm. Their descendant, Michael, also continued the family tradition by contributing to the growth of Keleher and McLeod. Today, the practice of law at Keleher & McLeod reflects the same dedication and passion, undoubtedly. Although the Keleher & McLeod corp. is not connected to the family, William B. Keleher and Thomas F. Keleher are the proud shareholders of the firm. It is located in Bernalillo County, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Keleher & McLeods service promises to fulfill the destiny that guided the founding of the firm a long, long time ago. Its roots are indeed very deep in the state and it has eventually grown into one of the state's most prominent commercial and civil law practitioners. However, it does not let all the glory get to its head; rather, Keleher & McLeod remains committed to the same legacy, commitment, and competence that made it a big success almost a hundred years ago.

It is universally known that in the long run, service matters the most. The attorneys and staff at this firm are devoted to providing superior-quality legal services to fulfill the requirement of the valued clients, and they do it in a quick yet efficient manner. The attorneys are always responsive and available for any kind of updates on the legal matters status.

With over thirty dedicated and adept staff, the firm promises to deliver. All of them are qualified and have vast experience in the field of law. Even when one is working with a single attorney, he will perceive the expertise of the whole firm. The attorneys at the firm can unequivocally be depended on.

Keleher & McLeod is simply unmatched in terms of experience. Being founded in 1915, it boasts as one of the oldest firms in the state. A big chunk of the firms employee comes from the UNM School of Law who are not only diligent, but also blessed with vast experience. In addition, they have been taking leadership in local and national professional associations on a regular basis. The firm whose attorneys are active in many social and charitable organizations, also posses a great sense of community. Simply put, the attorneys at Keleher & McLeod, with their vast experience, can be trusted to solve ones legal problems. Keleher & McLeod has represented innumerable prestigious companies and high profile individuals over the past few decades. Among them, Wells Fargo & Co., and affiliated banks, Texaco Inc, Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education, Qwest Corporation, Merrill Lynch, Heller Financial are considered noteworthy.

The Bar Register Practice Areas of the firm are Trusts and Estates, Wills and Probate & Insurance Defense. Keleher & McLeod covers practice areas like Administrative, Antitrust, Bankruptcy, Business, Children, Constitutional, Disabilities, Employee Benefits, Environmental, Government, Conservator-ship, Insurance, Labor and Employment, Mergers, Partnership, Products Liability, Real Estate, Taxation, Trusts and Estates, Wills and many others.

William Aloysius Keleher was a man of vision. In his famous book, Memoirs, he mentioned that he had a feeling that perhaps destiny was guiding him in the direction of the courtroom. This was the pivotal moment when he decided to devote his life to the betterment of law in New Mexico. As a result of his vision and dedication, Keleher & McLeod was created which, even after nearly a hundred year of establishment, relentlessly thrives to fulfill the requirement of the valued clients by providing high quality legal services.