Have you ever considered pet health insurance?

Question

We do not have a pet (yet). We watch our neighbor's adorable dog from time to time when they are gone. This upcoming weekend is one of those times.

They give a list of emergency contacts, including health insurance information. Do you have pet health insurance or have considered it?

Moose304 · Accepted Answer

I love pets. I currently don't have any because my apartment prohibits them. While thinking about this question I was reminded of a case involving a neighbor's cat back when I lived in Georgia. The cat had her back leg broken. The vet explained to the couple that fixing that leg was going to require a pin to be inserted and was going to be expensive to do. If I remember correctly it was going to be about $2500 for the surgery and another amount to house the cat during her recovery. He further advised the cat would be in intense pain for weeks and would never be 100% again. The couple chose the option to put their furbaby to sleep. I remember something a religious person told me when I was a teenager. He said sometimes we humans want to think of our pets as humans. He went on to say these pets are counting on us to not be inhuman. I bring this up because when pet care gets so expensive having insurance is discussed most times it is because of a trauma to said pet. While this is going to get me a lot of dislikes and such, sometimes the most human thing we can do is let them go and relieve them of their physical pain. To do otherwise could be considered inhuman!

NathanDavis · Accepted Answer

sort of... lol

fortunately, there's a Vet Clinic/Rescue Center near my place and not only I know one of the people running it, through one of my best friends but I am also part of the volunteering team when it comes to fostering some kittens, something I've done for almost three years...

so, it was through work and volunteering that they promised us "anything you need, any time you need, call us first and we'll take care of it" I just really I never get to use it for anything serious...

but yes, if not an actual insurance, there's that reassurance from the GREAT people I personally know them to be (=

musicbrain5 · Accepted Answer

No, I don’t have it for my pets nor have we ever had insurance for any past pets. I have looked into it, researched it, and decided that it is much cheaper to open a savings account and put money away every month to cover unexpected vet expenses. Or get a credit card that is solely for pet expenses and pay it off at your own rate.

The pet insurance available here is so picky. There are often a lot of restrictions on breed (you’ll pay more for certain breeds known to have genetic health conditions, like brachycephalic dogs, for example). Or they can disqualify you if your pet is an adult has a pre-existing condition. Sometimes you can’t choose your own veterinarian - you have to go to one who deals with that company. Sometimes they won’t completely cover procedures.

In my opinion, it’s not worth it. Why pay a premium every month when you could just double that amount and throw it into a separate bank account and let it accumulate.

SaoirseS · Accepted Answer

I don't know enough about pet health insurance to say much about it. I acquired both of our furry overlords because their owners had died, and they needed a home. From their behaviors and appearance, it was obvious they were well socialized, and well cared for, but I took them in not knowing their vet care or other history, so I don't know if they were even insurable. I did have them both checked over by my veterinarian, and they have regular checkups and vaccinations. We have enough in savings, so I haven't ever considered insuring them.

SnowedIn · Answer

We had it on a dog. Thankfully we didn't need it for anything major but there was peace of mind. It was a good value (this was in 2014 soni don't know what prices are now) and covered not only catastrophic stuff but also all the yearly shots and check ups and preventative care. Worth looking into and might be a good value.

boggboss · Answer

I dont but my cats old so it wouldn't really work for us I would say its definitely worth it my brother and his partner have had a cat put down this year and the between the costs of that and scans to work out what was wrong was nearly 700-1k wo I would say definitely get insurance if its a option

AviatorTom · Answer

We talked about pet insurance when we got our dog, and decided against it. It only makes sense if something really bad happens, like the dog needs surgery to repair a broken leg. Hopefully, that won't happen, and if it does, we'll have to deal with it.

ZenJen444 · Answer

Yes , I highly recommend pet insurance unless you want to pay a huge bill out of pocket. Pet insurance has saved me so much money. Your dog requires a comprehensive every 6 months, your dogs vaccines, if your dog gets sick, their preventative meds all gets covered. I Pau only $48/month. Well worth it. My dog had a comprehensive that would've been 800 dollars out of pocket yet I didn't have to pay anything insurance covered.

BlueScorpio · Answer

Honestly no, I never gotten pet insurance in my entire life. If vets weren't so expensive, I would found out my dog had cancer way earlier in advance. Thankfully I've found a cheaper vet, so hopefully I can get my cat checked at least once throughout the year.

gayesblog · Answer

I have two cats and a dog living with me :) I was thinking about it but does anyone know if it is just for the health problems or does it cover the vaccines as well?

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Depending on the size of your pet, third party liability insurance might be a much smarter investment! 😬😂👍

OddBeMe · Answer

Considered it, never got it. Did have to lay a few grand for a cat to surgically remove something carving up its intestines. So hindsight, it’d have been great to have insurance on that one. But ten years later, same cat is fine and no big medical issues. Woulda been waged insurance premiums.

msc545 · Answer

I've considered it but I've heard that people have mixed results with this. I need to ask my veterinarian which health insurance company is the one that is the best from their point of view before I purchase anything.

exitseven · Answer

I never had it for my cats. I could see why people would get it. It costs a lot to visit the vet these days.

Aerissa_Jade · Answer

I've considered it but its more expensive than human health insurance, so opted out... just keep savings for the occasional visits or emergency. Cheaper that way in the long run.

Jessica405 · Answer

We have a sort of pet insurance for Charley Farley, our cat. At €15 a month, it covers worming, flea prevention and a yearly check up. Anything else we will pay for ourselves.

beernbacon69 · Answer

I checked into it for my dog and cat, but found it to be somewhat costly so I ended up not signing up for it. I just keep a little extra cash saved in case something medically comes up for them outside of regular vet visits.

Immie85 · Answer

Love my pets and would hate to not be able to pay for them in the event of injury or illness.

Wise4myage · Answer

Yes, I am going to consider it when my cat gets older.

Anonymous · Answer

Does pet insurance lower the price? If not, I'd rather start a go fund me.

whiskeyontherocks · Answer

Yes but I usually save up for emergencies so personally I haven’t seen a value in it

Charliefretz329 · Answer

No, If I can’t fix them myself, they’re screwed

Guido · Answer

I did look into it but I thought it was way to expensive.

Msputiton · Answer

I don't have it. But i might consider it🤔

Agape93 · Answer

Considered it but that's about it

Quigly · Answer

Pet health Insurance plans would only drive vet prices up further. No different than what has happened with people health Insurance plans.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes and I do believe my pets are insured

bigpauly · Answer

I had it when I had a dog

loveslongnails · Answer

I considered it and it wasn't worth it.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes my dog has insurance it really good too

Zolly99999 · Answer

I thought it was very expensive

jshm2 · Answer

Don't keep pets. It's legalised cruelty.

eagle1951 · Answer

had it once not worth it

Anonymous · Answer

I had it for my dog.

LemiaOfThunder · Answer

Yes I have

Have you ever considered pet health insurance?

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