Did You Buy Pet Insurance? If So, Do You Think It's Worth It?

OneEyedDiva

OneEyedDiva

SF VIP
Location
New Jersey
I've seen advertisements for pet insurance, including on our vet's website. I'm on the fence as to whether it would be worth it. Deja is not an outdoor cat...I wouldn't even let her out on the patio since squirrels and birds are often out there. Squirrels just love my patio. She's gotten all her shots until it's time for the boosters. The vet says she's in great health. She will be spayed in about 10 days. The pet insurances I looked at have a waiting period so the spaying probably wouldn't be covered.

Do you have pet insurance for your fur baby(ies)? If so, what convinced you to get it and has it been worth it? If not, why did you choose not to?
 

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I do not have it but think it might be a good idea. I have 3 dogs, 2 are about 6, one is about 11. They are all healthy but just the normal things are really adding up. I had one a few years ago that had to have surgery. The cost was about 2000.00 and I still lost him. I just have not looked into it, thanks for asking the question. I will be thankful to read any info you recieve.
 
My DIL recently got a job at the University Hospital here and they offer Pet Insurance.
Since the passing of our son, their two dogs are a huge part of her life.
Told her we would pick up any premiums and help with out-of-pocket expenses, and to just get it.

I'd never heard of this, but I'm slow on what's available sometimes.
 

I do not have it. Daisy is a mutt…and a healthy one at that. I think if i favored breeds knowh for major health problems i might consider it…but she is 14 and her needs will be related to aging which gets us all in the end.
 
Wouldn't get it since I have cats (1 indoor and two outdoor). If I had a dog would probably look into it to be sure it covered the leg operations so many of the larger dogs need as they age. Son and DIL had both legs done of their Labradoodle and it cost them $15 grand.

I've lost two cats to feline cardiomyopathy - nothing you can do about that - its an inherited condition. You usually just find them dead in their middle years. I don't believe in getting older cats yearly shots either.

Have had many cats over the years. As cats age, be sure they drink enough water as kidney disease is common. They can live a long time if they drink enough liquids to support their aging kidneys. Had one Persian cat that was about 22 yrs old when he died. Several cats that were 18-19.


Cat behavior and instincts keep them from contracting rabies. Cats are defensive by nature, so they run from most wildlife. The animals that cats hunt for food like squirrels, chipmunks, and mice rarely have rabies.
 
Pet Insurance is a racket, designed to keep vet prices through the roof. Vets are big investors in pet insurance, and they push it in the various practices.

Cats & dogs deserve homes, and soon it might be too expensive for many to have that. Disgusting, I'm so disgusted by that, keeping animals out of reach for people who need them as much as they need us. If there's a way to rip-off the public, someone always finds it.
 
Pepper said:
Pet Insurance is a racket, designed to keep vet prices through the roof. Vets are big investors in pet insurance, and they push it in the various practices.

Cats & dogs deserve homes, and soon it might be too expensive for many to have that. Disgusting, I'm so disgusted by that, keeping animals out of reach for people who need them as much as they need us. If there's a way to rip-off the public, someone always finds it.
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I have also thought it was a racket but in the past couple of years seems like people are getting it. What I spend on the dogs is normal vet care, physicals once a year, blood work, heartworm/flea meds. Of course there is always grooming if needed and I do have their teeth cleaned every couple years. I would not think pet insurance would cover normal pet care.
 
When I googled it, the first non-ad article listed said pet insurance costs an average of $35/month for dogs and $28/month for cats, and the insurer covers up to a maximum of $5,000 each year. The average price for a general exam plus parasite treatment and vaccines is $160. Annual visits are about $40-$50.

Not worth it, imo.
 
Thank you all for your answers. @Feelslikefar You have my deepest condolences on the loss of your son. How nice of you and your husband to help your DIL with pet insurance and other costs.
@Lavinia "I prefer to set aside a sum of money just in case I have a vets bill to pay." That's pretty much how I feel.

@Liberty Thank you for the advice about cats drinking enough water. Our kitten loves her water and I've also cut way back on dry food...something I saw (that when is the main source of food) contributes to kidney disease. Sorry you lost your pets. I can't imagine just coming home and finding our baby dead! I had an acquaintance who is a good friend to my BFF who experienced that. Even to hear about it was heartbreaking. Her cat was the brother of my BFFs cat. The litter was born at my BFF's house and I saw all of them shortly after. That was decades ago but my BFF and I were just talking about it the other day.

@Pepper Re your response: I feel you! It is a shame. I wonder if all cities have free or low cost clinics where animals can get their shots and be spayed or neutered. I know my city used to have a place like that but I didn't even seek it out...I just took our kitten to the animal hospital that was deemed one of the best in our area. Yes it cost, but I love the attention and care she gets.
 
I never had pet insurance in the past because I rescued old dogs. 6 years ago I met a woman that was selling 6 of her Maltese because she was no longer showing dogs and had too many to keep as just pets. She gave me a puppy and a half sibling that was 5. She showed me her premium bills and the EOBs and she had collected more than she paid out.

I took the same pet insurance and so far I have paid out more than I have collected. The premiums have increased with age. The dogs are 6 and 9 and I pay 89/month for the two of them. It doesn’t pay for anything routine including dentals. Vets are very expensive locally so if one of them needs surgery I could easily pay between 5-8k. I chose a 500 deductible with a 70% payment to keep the cost down.
 
There is only one way for any insurer to stay in business - that is to profit.
There is only one way for any insurer to profit: Making more money on premiums than is spent on services. Same with home warranties & car warranties & those extra warranties offered whenever you buy an appliance or many other products.
That's why there is a "Waiting Period with pet insurance." To ensure profit before any services are provided.
 
over almost 50 yrs Ive had 4 Dogs , not one did I insure for those times of illness ,

My last dog had a Stroke when she was 15 and for the last few Months she was on meds , which didnt cost the earth ,,

My first dog had Parva a few weeks after getting her ,she made a full recovery after meds .

With my present Dog which is a Rescue I brought her home with Kennel Cough , in the advisary home letter , it says give Cough mixture , sure enough it cured it .
I was concerned in her first weeks with us about her scratching and the Vet advised us to get Insurance , I didnt because I thought the scratching would go away ..
In fact it did and never returned once she had settled in , she's a highly sensitive dog and her scratching was a nervous reaction .

Ive known people who have taken out Pet Insurance and when the Dog hits 8yr old the payments go through the roof , and another had to pay towards the treatment .The Insurance company wouldn't take the full costs ..

I know of a Dog Breeder , who has had a Fund Me page when their Dog needed an Operation .

overall Ive had Breeds that dont need a lot of Vet visits .
I take mine once a year for Booster Jabs it works for me ..
 
OneEyedDiva said:
Thank you all for your answers. @Feelslikefar You have my deepest condolences on the loss of your son. How nice of you and your husband to help your DIL with pet insurance and other costs.
@Lavinia "I prefer to set aside a sum of money just in case I have a vets bill to pay." That's pretty much how I feel.

@Liberty Thank you for the advice about cats drinking enough water. Our kitten loves her water and I've also cut way back on dry food...something I saw (that when is the main source of food) contributes to kidney disease. Sorry you lost your pets. I can't imagine just coming home and finding our baby dead! I had an acquaintance who is a good friend to my BFF who experienced that. Even to hear about it was heartbreaking. Her cat was the brother of my BFFs cat. The litter was born at my BFF's house and I saw all of them shortly after. That was decades ago but my BFF and I were just talking about it the other day.

@Pepper Re your response: I feel you! It is a shame. I wonder if all cities have free or low cost clinics where animals can get their shots and be spayed or neutered. I know my city used to have a place like that but I didn't even seek it out...I just took our kitten to the animal hospital that was deemed one of the best in our area. Yes it cost, but I love the attention and care she gets.
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OneEyedDiva...you know,I've had cats that would only eat dry food that have lived to a ripe old age...than cats that ate wet food...know its good to give your cats "some" wet food if they won't drink more water. Male cats are more subject to urinary track infections. Purina One seems to be a great cat food. My Gigi loves it and I also give her a "Squeeze Up" every day plus a little wet food. She prefers dry. Never saw a cat that didn't love Squeeze Ups.
 

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