The average cost of pet insurance for dog and cat owners is $50per month, fairly minimal compared to the average vet bill fordogs, which averages upwards of $1,500 for common medical issues.Yet only 1% of cat and dog owners have bought pet insurance,according to the Humane Society of the United States.

With about 180 million pet owners in the U.S., there's certainlyan opportunity for agents to raise the issue with clients. But petinsurance may not be best for everyone, according to a story by NerdWallet's AliceHolbrook.

“It's important for pet owners to know the risks that come withtheir breed,” Dr. Peter Weinstein, executive director of theSouthern California Veterinary Medical Association, tells Holbrook.“All breeds have risk factors. Then find out which policies coveror don't cover these risks.”

Some breeds, such as labradoodles, Bernese mountain dogs andSiberian huskies, tend to find themselves in the vet more oftenthan other mixed breeds and would require a heftier out-of-pocketcost without insurance, according to pet insurer Trupanion. Catbills, however, are noticeably smaller and may not require such anexpansive policy.

Research into the right policy for a client's pet and breed iskey, and there are more options today than there were a few yearsago. Some pet-insurance providers offer “Final Respects Coverage,”which can pay for urns and cremation, and some insurers work withina veterinary “network,” allowing a client to shop around. It mayeven benefit agents to work with clients' current auto-insuranceproviders to see if they cover animal injuries.

Even a minimum insurance policy is best, but pet owners need tosign up when the pet is in its infancy, says Weinstein.

“I suggest that pet owners maintain their insurance from womb totomb,” Weinstein says. “You should have it to protect yourselfagainst unexpected situations. Without pet insurance, vet bills arean out-of-pocket expense.”