Anyone with pets who have "pet insurance"

[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!

[AshAP]

We have a miniature Dachshund, with this breed insurance is recommended (unless you’re comfortable self insuring) as they can suffer with back problems which can cost 8-10k per operation. IMO a home is so much more homely with a dog.


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[AshAP]

We’ve never used the pet insurance but my mother in law had a Dachshund until recently and her dog had 2 back operations which were covered.


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[Mandy01]

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!

we use Banfield plan, and have many advantages. You pay a monthly premium , but all vaccines, consultations , emergencies and so on are covered. Check it they are in several states.

[Brew]

Never purchased it for any of my dogs. Doesn't make sense for me.

[derekhayden]

This goes a lot deeper than just medical costs. No one wants to weigh money over the life of an animal but this does happen sometimes. I had two miniature Dachshunds and did not have either insured. The male ended up getting caught in a sliding glass door during a family gathering causing severe back injury. The cost to have it repaired was well over $8K with no guarantee of success or permanent pain relief. We unfortunately ended up having to put him down. I am not sure having insurance would have made a huge affect on our decision in this instance but it may have if the injury was less severe.

I know this is a more affluent forum but I think anyone faced with multiple thousands in medical costs would wish they had insurance.

[Brew]

Originally Posted by derekhayden

This goes a lot deeper than just medical costs. No one wants to weigh money over the life of an animal but this does happen sometimes. I had two miniature Dachshunds and did not have either insured. The male ended up getting caught in a sliding glass door during a family gathering causing severe back injury. The cost to have it repaired was well over $8K with no guarantee of success or permanent pain relief. We unfortunately ended up having to put him down. I am not sure having insurance would have made a huge affect on our decision in this instance but it may have if the injury was less severe.

I know this is a more affluent forum but I think anyone faced with multiple thousands in medical costs would wish they had insurance.

Exactly. The sort of care that would make me wish I sprang for insurance is likely for a traumatic incident or other huge medical issue that I could not put my dogs through. I can't have them suffer. And I won't put them through procedures to make me feel better or because I can't be without them.

These are very personal decisions. Not just $$.

[-lenny-]

We had Petsecure, two Labradors. They were chasing each other around and ran underneath a trailer. The taller one snagged his back, causing a bad gash and ended up needing surgeries to repair. We paid about $1000, insurance covered just under 5k. Then we found they raise rates as dogs age, so we switched to Trupanion. Choose your coverage level and your deductible to suit your needs. This past winter we were in Arizona and one dog had eye issues. We went to two different vets without success. Finally went to a canine ophthalmologist in Tucson, and found she had a blocked and infected tear duct requiring surgery. We gave the specialist the go ahead and she was all fixed up the following day, total cost was 3kUSD, we were on the hook for about $400 IIRC. For us it has been worthwhile and I don’t think we would be without again.

[andyxxx]

It doesn’t make financial sense to me – but I have had it for our dog for the last seven years.

Let me explain why.

I am attached to my dog and would miss it immensely.
Without insurance:
What happens if it has an accident and breaks a leg?(let’s say £500) – a fairly easy decision for me, I would of course pay.
What about a more serious injury (lets ay £5000) - I would still pay.
What about a really serious injury (let’s say above £10 or 15,000) I probably could not justify that amount, yet my Wife and daughters would insist upon it.

There would be a point I would not pay and there would me massive turmoil.

So to never have to make that decision I am prepared to pay for the best insurance I can find.

[Cooper33]

Originally Posted by andyxxx

It doesn’t make financial sense to me – but I have had it for our dog for the last seven years.

Let me explain why.

I am attached to my dog and would miss it immensely.
Without insurance:
What happens if it has an accident and breaks a leg?(let’s say £500) – a fairly easy decision for me, I would of course pay.
What about a more serious injury (lets ay £5000) - I would still pay.
What about a really serious injury (let’s say above £10 or 15,000) I probably could not justify that amount, yet my Wife and daughters would insist upon it.

There would be a point I would not pay and there would me massive turmoil.

So to never have to make that decision I am prepared to pay for the best insurance I can find.

Agree 100%.

I think if you have a dog, especially not an apartment one, insurance is a no brainer. A broken leg will set you back much more than the annual insurance premium.

I have always been really attached to the dogs and cats I had over the years and would hate to be put in a position where I would consider even for a second not give them the best care in the world because of my finances. I would sell my entire watch collection without ever looking back if need be, but prefer to pay for the best insurance I can find in order to avoid this!

[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.

[supersam80]

When we got our second boxer, we looked into insurance. Based on our first boxers lifespan and the amount we roughly spent on vet bills the premium was multiples of the vet costs, so we passed on insurance

Of course, six months in with the second and we've spent upwards of $7k aud due to irritable bowel disease and him eating three meters (!!!) of rope

[Pw92676]

I have 3 dogs and all three have pet insurance with Healthy Paws. No issues, highly recommend them.

My dogs are my family and as such I think having insurance for them is plain and simple the right thing to do, regardless of the financial noise talk that surrounds it. I wouldn’t go without healthcare for my wife, my son, my dogs or me.

Congrats to your family for adding a new member. Your kids will be so happy. I start each day by bringing my 14 month old out of his crib and the first few things he does are hug mama then each of the dogs: nothing more than I can ask for in life and I cannot have a bad day after witnessing that!

[Cooper33]

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 should never have a cat in the first place if you think they're that replaceable or their life is worth 1k.

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by Cooper33

You should never have a cat in the first place if you think they're that replaceable or their life is worth 1k.

+1.


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[AshAP]

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.

Forgive me for asking but I’m gobsmacked....if your watch needed an expensive service would you struggle to justify the cost?


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[austinp]

No pet insurance here.

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[Chewbacca]

It’s a scam.

[SPARTAN2161]

Totally worth it. Had 2 cats (both put down now) and first we had $1000s in medical bills. Ended up putting him down. Got another, this time with insurance right off the bat. SAME damn issues sprung up. This time with 90% covered. Still ended putting the cat down for the fact that quality of life wasn’t great, but never hesitated doing what was needed at the vet knowing it would be covered. Cost about $24 a month. Healthy Pets was the insurance company

[antbkny]

I have healthy paws pet insurance for my french bulldog. I have him insured since 9 weeks old for $75 usd per month, and they would cover 90 percent of whatever it is they cover. Luckily we’ve never had any issues, he’s 3 now.

A friend of mine has French bulldog as well and has paid out of pocket about 20k in this past year due to back surgeries, laser therapy, acupuncture, etc... If he would have signed up for insurance before the issues, he would have gotten reimbursed 90 percent of that.

[pickettt]

Personally, I would not buy pet insurance (which is actually property insurance). My opinion may be seen as skewed, being that I own veterinary hospitals. Even if that was not so, I’d be willing to risk paying out of pocket should my pets need it.

[GB-man]

No but depending on what it covers I may entertain it next go round. My boxer has easily rung up 20k in vet bills over her ~8 years so far.

[Kowaco]

Originally Posted by andyxxx

It doesn’t make financial sense to me – but I have had it for our dog for the last seven years.



Let me explain why.



I am attached to my dog and would miss it immensely.

Without insurance:

What happens if it has an accident and breaks a leg?(let’s say £500) – a fairly easy decision for me, I would of course pay.

What about a more serious injury (lets ay £5000) - I would still pay.

What about a really serious injury (let’s say above £10 or 15,000) I probably could not justify that amount, yet my Wife and daughters would insist upon it.



There would be a point I would not pay and there would me massive turmoil.



So to never have to make that decision I am prepared to pay for the best insurance I can find.

Totally agree, definitely get insurance on your dog.


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[bayerische]

Yes, and I have two Dachshunds. So makes sense to be insured.

[BisonHead]

In UK.
We have Horse and Dog insurance and it has certainly paid for itself many times over, for both Horses and dogs.

Especially with 1 of the dogs who has had 2-3 major operations/investigations. (All tickety boo now i am glad to say) One over night stay with scans/treatment etc, was 3k GBP.

I think for this particular dog, we would be up to the thick end of 20K GBP over the past year and a half.

Mind my wife would sell one of my kidneys to cover pet costs if needed ha. So i find insurance better for the integrity of my body parts.

Just make sure of the conditions of the policy. Some in UK only cover animal to a certain age, repeat medical conditions are not covered etc. As they say the devil is in the details.

[mjclark32]

My English bulldog is about to be 11, they’re notorious for short lives and lots of problems. Bad hips and breathing issues mostly.
My wife and I got her when we were in college, but we put extra extra work into going to dog shows, talking with breeders, and checking the breeding lines.
Get into the history of the sire/bitch and make an educated decision.
That’s my advice.
Over the years we’ve had to put a few bucks into her, but no real large bill sticks out.
Id happily empty my accounts to do whatever is right for her. Nothing like having a great dog in the family.
Good luck!

[singe89]

I haven't and just paid out of pocket but base it on age and quality of life vs. cost of treatment. Recently had to put one of our boxers down for a brain tumor. Tried 2 months of treatment but symptoms were not improving and at almost 10 years old her life expectancy wasn't great to start with. As much as I love my dogs they do have a limit financially.

[bellesdad0417]

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

[mannyv11]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

It’s a scam.

nope it's not

[andyxxx]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

It’s a scam.

Really? Please explain why you think that.