Anyone with pets who have "pet insurance"

[andyxxx]

Originally Posted by bellesdad0417

I had Petplan for one of my dogs for about 2 years and never used it so i cancelled.

Seriously?

I have never claimed in several years and hope I never have to.

I get it that some people don’t take insurance (and I certainly am not a person that insures everything – my watches are not) but to cancel it because you havn’t used it seems bizarre to me.

[HarryLime]

Originally Posted by colpol

We’ve a cat - no insurance

In 5 years - 1 operation - £600 which we paid without hesitation

Anything over £1k - I’d honestly just get another cat.

I seriously hope you're joking.

[utc66]

A friend of mine at work spent $50K on her dog! That freaked me out and was the main reason why I got pet insurance.

I have Embrace. I didn’t realize that the premium would go up every year. It started st $400, then $600, last year was $800! I am afraid what it’s going to cost next year, what about in 8 years? I’ve started putting $60/month in a separate account to defray the bill that’s coming. I hadn’t considered changing insurance companies, I’ll look into that!

One thing I’ve learned is that you can shop around different cities for the same procedure and get different prices. For example, a friend of mine was quoted $3,000 for a procedure for his dog. He called the next (less wealthy) city south of him and was quoted $800 for the same surgery. So one night in a hotel and he saved a lot!

I guess self-insuring is also an option if you’re disciplined. One could save $100/month and if nothing goes wrong in 10 years you’ve got a free Daytona!

[Dr.Brian]

We just self insure. 5 dogs 20 years one big operation ~$6000.
Premiums would have been more. We could have tried a spinal fusion on one for ~8-10k but he was old and we just enjoyed his remaining time available. Wouldn’t have done if with the insurance either.
One got an aggressive appearing cancer, wouldn’t have tried to treat that with aggressive chemo either.
YMMV.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by utc66

A friend of mine at work spent $50K on her dog! That freaked me out and was the main reason why I got pet insurance.

I have Embrace. I didn’t realize that the premium would go up every year. It started st $400, then $600, last year was $800! I am afraid what it’s going to cost next year, what about in 8 years? I’ve started putting $60/month in a separate account to defray the bill that’s coming. I hadn’t considered changing insurance companies, I’ll look into that!

One thing I’ve learned is that you can shop around different cities for the same procedure and get different prices. For example, a friend of mine was quoted $3,000 for a procedure for his dog. He called the next (less wealthy) city south of him and was quoted $800 for the same surgery. So one night in a hotel and he saved a lot!

I guess self-insuring is also an option if you’re disciplined. One could save $100/month and if nothing goes wrong in 10 years you’ve got a free Daytona!

A lot of points in here; I’m sure it freaked you out, insurance companies are in the fear business. A $50k vet bill has to be ultra rare. We work with arguably the best veterinary specialists in the country, and I’ve never seen such a bill...though no doubt it’s possible. Next, I advise against shopping for primarily price when it comes to veterinary care. Definitely talk to several doctors and get second opinions, but work with the doctor(s) you trust and make you feel comfortable with what is to come. Buy the seller, not the watch...if you will. Lastly, I believe it’s a good bet to save on your own to cover the costs of care. Of course, that’s a decision that’s got a lot of personal factors to consider.

[utc66]

“A $50k vet bill has to be ultra rare. “

Yeah, I think it was over the course of an illness lasting a year or two. Not one single bill.

[Cesium137]

Originally Posted by colpol

We’ve a cat - no insurance

In 5 years - 1 operation - £600 which we paid without hesitation

Anything over £1k - I’d honestly just get another cat.

[Kowaco]

Originally Posted by colpol

We’ve a cat - no insurance

In 5 years - 1 operation - £600 which we paid without hesitation

Anything over £1k - I’d honestly just get another cat.

You could buy about 50 cats for that


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[1st amg]

A lot of great information. I really appreciate all the real life scenarios from everyone, pro insurance and not. I guess it boils down to the risk I am willing to take. Sort of like with my Ferrari. I have the bumper to bumper warranty on the car, but decided to add 2 more years of full coverage for about 10k. I did it without hesitation.
An example I could also give related to cars, on my 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG, I also opted for the extra 2 year coverage at about 5k. Guess what, on the fourth year I had a major problem with the transmission that MB could not figure out and they sent me a brand new tranny to the tune of 27K. Thank goodness.
Anyway, I think I will go with the pet insurance and we will have a homecoming/incoming anytime soon!

[sco]

I had it on my last dog. It was about $800 a year. I’d get about a third back per each claim. She had a lot of issues with allergies and ear infections. It was a good move to renew year after year.

I subscribed again with our new dog , and so far she has been pretty healthy and hasn’t needed much.

There are all kinds of plans out there. I use pet insurance.com which is a nationwide company in the states.

[locutus49]

That's what I think. Who wins is the insurance company. If not, they would go out of business. We have had sickly cats which were very expensive and now we have two healthy cats. Of course our cats believe in conspiracies:

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

It’s a scam.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

A lot of great information. I really appreciate all the real life scenarios from everyone, pro insurance and not. I guess it boils down to the risk I am willing to take. Sort of like with my Ferrari. I have the bumper to bumper warranty on the car, but decided to add 2 more years of full coverage for about 10k. I did it without hesitation.
An example I could also give related to cars, on my 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG, I also opted for the extra 2 year coverage at about 5k. Guess what, on the fourth year I had a major problem with the transmission that MB could not figure out and they sent me a brand new tranny to the tune of 27K. Thank goodness.
Anyway, I think I will go with the pet insurance and we will have a homecoming/incoming anytime soon!

If you’ve decided to get insurance, do it immediately upon getting your pet. Any pre-existing condition will affect your eligibility, so don’t wait until your pet has some problem.

[Brew]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

I guess it boils down to the risk I am willing to take.

This is insurance in a nutshell. For the insurance company and for us.

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by pickettt

If you’ve decided to get insurance, do it immediately upon getting your pet. Any pre-existing condition will affect your eligibility, so don’t wait until your pet has some problem.

Great idea, thanks for the tip

[dddrees]

When growing up I remember a couple of our pets (dogs) being run over by cars and getting killed. As traumatic as it was they were pets.

My sister and my brother have talked about their cats and dogs and how much they spend on them due to diabetes and such.

I have a dog now that we have had for fifteen years. All during that time he has been a great pet and never afflicted by much with the exception of some rash I had to spend a few hundred dollars on once. Anyway all during this time my dog has been a great pet and all during this time I swore I would never pay as much for medical coverage for my pet as I would for any of my children, my wife, or myself.

I've been lucky and he's been lucky too because my pet has been rather healthy. I really do like my dog but he's our pet and not a human being.

I hope I made my point clear and understandable for most who care to read my take on medical coverage for my pet.

Oh, and I know it sounds cold but back in my day when a pet died we would bury the pet in the back yard or a nearby field. We never did purchase a pet coffin and burial plot for our pet.

One last thought. I'm old and I can remember playing outside and not indoor video games. Grounding was really something that took away a privilege because growing up we didn't receive participation trophies. Back in the day we never thought of treating pets the same as humans. Some changes for the good, some not so much, and some which I never will. I may use an iPad, but I don't purchase medical coverage for my pet. Sorry but my old age is showing.

[dddrees]

Oh yeah, this reminds me of the time I took my dog to the vet and they recommended a teeth cleaning. I asked how much and the quoted five hundred dollars. I think the look and the sound I made got the vets attention. Then I sternly asked for the breakdown. Amazing how they tried to package so many things besides the teeth cleaning into that initial quoted charge. I forget what all but they also offered to tag my dog. What a frigging racket. To say the least I did pay for the teeth cleaning but none of the other trumped up items they tried to jack up the price with and I am pretty sure they got the impression I was not all that impressed with what they had just tried to pull.

Yes this is now officially a racket that others play on an owners desires to take care of and Luv for their pets by charging them for every possible conceivable thing they can possibly make money on.

My dog is a pet and he gets fed, watered, taken outside for walks, petted, brushed, groomed, and yes loved as well.

[Ruddiger]

Howdy,

We have a dog and two cats and are huge animal lovers. They are part of the family and, frankly, are more beloved than most of the extended family.

That said we have insurance on all three of them. After spending over $10,000 on my last dog's cancer treatment it seemed like a no brainer. For us, as people who are the type to spend the money on a sick pet, it makes perfect sense and I would never be without it.

It really all comes down to what type of pet owner you are. I don't say that as a criticism, just as an honest assessment. In other words, only you know the lengths you would go if your pets life depended upon it. If the answer to that question is "pretty far" get the insurance.

Take care,

Ruddiger

[joli160]

No insurance here, just not very common so I never gave it any thought really.

Owning an animal is a commitment and I'd pay my last penny to give him the best treatment if ever needed

[woodsworth]

We were quoted ~$300 a month for insuring our French Bulldog. Needless to say, we opted to not insure. With out without insurance, I'd pay what is needed to keep them alive and healthy. Vet bills are a part of owning a pet, if you're not willing to make that commitment, then don't get one.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by woodsworth

We were quoted ~$300 a month for insuring our French Bulldog. Needless to say, we opted to not insure. With out without insurance, I'd pay what is needed to keep them alive and healthy. Vet bills are a part of owning a pet, if you're not willing to make that commitment, then don't get one.

I know and you might even think me inhumane for spanking my child back in the day.

It's a commitment but it's also an animal. He does get flee and tic and an annual vet checkup. But I don't mortgage my home to pay for medical care for my pet. You do, that's your business.

[woodsworth]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I know and you might even think me inhumane for spanking my child back in the day.



It's a commitment but it's also an animal. He does get flee and tic and an annual vet checkup. But I don't mortgage my home to pay for medical care for my pet. You do, that's your business.

I actually don’t believe our disagreement is due to a disparity in age, though it seems like you want to peg it as one.

I’m not saying put up a second mortgage on your house to save a pet, but if you can’t afford to pay for simple operations like the previous poster had mentioned (1000 pounds, really?) then you have no business owning a dog or cat. Get a goldfish.

Edit: To reiterate, if it won’t financially ruin you, you ought to keep the pet alive.

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[Brew]

Originally Posted by joli160

No insurance here, just not very common so I never gave it any thought really.

Owning an animal is a commitment and I'd pay my last penny to give him the best treatment if ever needed

He's gorgeous!

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by woodsworth

I actually don’t believe our disagreement is due to a disparity in age, though it seems like you want to peg it as one.

I’m not saying put up a second mortgage on your house to save a pet, but if you can’t afford to pay for simple operations like the previous poster had mentioned (1000 pounds, really?) then you have no business owning a dog or cat. Get a goldfish.



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Possibly not, but things such as medical coverage and care for pets of this nature has gotten better in more recent years. How one goes about and the lengths they go to has increased since I was a child.

Depending on what it was I would certainly weigh the costs associated but the limit I'm willing to go to and that I set is my business. I guess next thing you might wish for is a law that would jail me for animal cruelty if I didn't pay at least a certain minimum that you deem appropriate. It's an animal I will treat it humanely but it is an animal.


You do know they eat dog in Korea? Do you even have any idea why? They also eat horse in other countries and I still eat cow, pig, chicken, etc, ect…….

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Hi everyone, my wife and I have been toying with the idea of adding a puppy to the household for the kids. They have been asking for a puppy or cat for ever. We might finally be ready to make the move. Those of you who have pets, is having a pet insurance coverage the way to go. If you have it, have you ever used or relied on it. Thanks gang!

Yes, had it on two different pets and it was well worth the cost.

Had an Alaskan Malamute that tore both ACL's, several thousand dollars of surgery each after deductibles was all covered.

Had a Border Collie that was born with a severe case of mange, covered the medication for nearly a year, he later had other skin conditions (he was an abandoned rescue) all covered.

I have recommended it to friends and family and it has paid off for them as well.

If you can self-insure then you do not need it.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by woodsworth

I actually don’t believe our disagreement is due to a disparity in age, though it seems like you want to peg it as one.

I’m not saying put up a second mortgage on your house to save a pet, but if you can’t afford to pay for simple operations like the previous poster had mentioned (1000 pounds, really?) then you have no business owning a dog or cat. Get a goldfish.

Edit: To reiterate, if it won’t financially ruin you, you ought to keep the pet alive.

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Sorry I don't put that kind of priority on how far I am willing to properly care for a pet. It's not how I grew up or the values we had.

You do, well I say go for it.

Personally I"ll take that money saved and put it towards my grandsons college fund or god forbid my fun money.

[Randy63]

Originally Posted by woodsworth

I actually don’t believe our disagreement is due to a disparity in age, though it seems like you want to peg it as one.

I’m not saying put up a second mortgage on your house to save a pet, but if you can’t afford to pay for simple operations like the previous poster had mentioned (1000 pounds, really?) then you have no business owning a dog or cat. Get a goldfish.

Edit: To reiterate, if it won’t financially ruin you, you ought to keep the pet alive.

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I couldn't agree more.


Randy

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Sorry I don't put that kind of priority on how far I am willing to properly care for a pet. It's not how I grew up or the values we had.

You do, well I say go for it.

Personally I"ll take that money saved and put it towards my grandsons college fund or god forbid my fun money.

You said it yourself.


Personally, pets are family too in my world, and I’ve spent $4k on a new rescue we adopted mid year who had a broken jaw, but is doing great right now.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

You said it yourself.


Personally, pets are family too in my world, and I’ve spent $4k on a new rescue we adopted mid year who had a broken jaw, but is doing great right now.

That when people in other parts of the world treat people worse than animals. I wouldn't and couldn't ever do that. Pets however are animals and horses were actually shot so they wouldn't suffer. I"ll treat things humanely but it is an animal and not a human being.

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by dddrees

That when people in other parts of the world treat people worse than animals. I wouldn't and couldn't ever do that. Pets however are animals and horses were actually shot so they wouldn't suffer. I"ll treat things humanely but it is an animal and not a human being.

So if you had adopted this dog and then found out it had a broken jaw and needed surgery, you’d have shot it?

[Randy63]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I"ll treat things humanely but it is an animal and not a human being.

Humanely like the way Canada Goose treats coyotes?



Randy