pet insurance (yay or nay)

[Nadia]

I am sure this topic has been brought up many times before but I figured I would bring it up again...LOL

I was thinking that it may be a good idea to get pet insurance.  My husband on the other hand thinks its a waste! I just keep thinking that anything could happen and be a huge financial burden.  I figured that if we have insurance  it can help monetarily in case of an emergency.

I try and say that we have insurance for our kids and ourselves but he says "he's a dog"!

what are your thoughts, suggestions, opinions???

 

thanks a bunch :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't have pet insurance for Jack, and if it were not for the fact that I am over 59.5 years old and therefore able to tap into my retirement account without penalty, he would not be with us today. The IBD alone, left untreated, would have killed him. :(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

But from what I have read here and on other forums, I think I would get Pet Plan. I will with any dogs in the future.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Deborah -- Your Vet's comment concerns me.  I don't want to turn this discussion into a Vet bashing, but I would like to just add my two cents to his/her comment.   Most major things aren't going to show up in the first year, like hip dysplasia or allergies.  If you go look at the Canine Lymphoma sites you will see that a majority of the dogs developing Lymphoma are not old dogs.  I would dare to say that the majority of torn CCLs are going to be young to middle age active dogs, not older more low energy dogs.  If you wait until you have a 13-14 year old dog to take out insurance, everything under the sun that could be an issue is probably going to be a pre-existing condition because of some comments already made in their file.  Those are just my thoughts! 

[Deborah Brown]

I understand your point and maybe she said the first two years. It's been awhile since we had the conversation.  

Anyway, I only post to share another opinion.  I don't have pet insurance and I'm willing to bet most pet owners do not.  

[Kathy Janes]

I'm just getting pet insurance on our three dogs and I learned something you may want to know.  Most companies seem to 'freeze' the rate when you first insure.  If you want to start when your dog is older it will cost you twice as much as if you had kept your dog insured all along.  I wouldn't wait until they are even five or six as you lose coverage and pay more.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Kathy, this isn't the case with Petplan. The premiums go up annually just as human health insurance.  So, yes it is higher if you wait until they are older but not any higher than it would be if you had it all along. But, as you indicated, any illness or injury sustained without insurance may be considered "pre-existing" and not be covered when you do finally apply.  Most companies need to increase their premiums to keep pace with the increased cost of veterinary care.  Did you find on that is not going to increase your premiums?

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

I have procrastinated long enough! I am getting the insurance today. Petplan came up 3 times. Anyone else want to recommend? Karen? I totally trust my doodle peeps.

[Gail and Bailey]

We have Pet Plan.  Thank goodness we have not had to use it yet.

[Janice Hammond]

Can't be anymore blunt.GET INSURANCE. NOW.

[Nadia]

We did it!!!!!! Our Bentley is now insured!!!!! It doesn't kick in for a couple of weeks but I feel better knowing we have it. Thanks again everyone. I really do appreciate it.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Strong work, Nadia! Good for you and Bentley.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

So glad to hear this Nadia! I hope you never need to use it! :)