Companies Offering Health Insurance For Pets

CHICAGO (CBS) -- We've been hearing lately about some companies cutting back their benefits packages for employees, particularly when it comes to health care.

However, some companies are helping other members of their employees' families, WBBM's Bernie Tafoya reports.

Companies have been starting to offer pet insurance as part of the benefits packages offered to workers.

Deerfield-based Walgreen's is one of those companies.

Spokeswoman Emily Hartwig says it's a recognition that pets are part of their employees' families.

"There are a couple of hundred folks in the company that are utilizing the benefits package," she said.

According to Crain's, other companies that offer pet insurance benefits include Deloitte, Tribune Co. Caterpillar and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

At Walgreen's, employees are offered discounts of 5 percent to 15 percent for pet insurance policies.

CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports that a recent survey found  four out of 10 owners worry they wouldn't be able to afford an expensive medical emergency. That's why some turn to pet insurance.