Pet insurance: Worth it? Or not?
I'm curious to know if any of our readers have taken out pet insurance.
I've avoided it so far, but am fast coming to the conclusion that most pet owners -- me included -- will have to jump on the bandwagon here, sooner or later. Veterinary costs (and the wide variety of sophisticated treatments available nowadays) can be prohibitive.
Often, a serious illness can strike suddenly, providing little time for owners to weigh the ramifications of embarking on a road that will, over time, cost them perhaps several thousands of dollars.
If you have pet insurance, we'd love to hear from you -- Which company? What are the pros and cons? Have you found it to be a good nvestment?
Criticism I heard early on said the industry covered very little in the way of vet bills that were turned in. But that was when just a few companies dominated the industry. Now, there are more and more pet insurance companies coming onlline -- which is a good thing. Competition means a better selection, and often lower prices, for the consumer.
Meanwhile, here's a pet insurance review Web site that purports to give a neutral analysis of the various companies and plans out there today.
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About the Bloggers
Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.
E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.
Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.
E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.
Hi,
I have looked into it on a few occasions, sitting in the vet's office, reading brochures etc.
As far as I understood, the coverage of those insurances are extremely limited. In Reba's case
they would have stopped paying after the first few month of this now almost 2 year ordeal .
I look at it that way...Axl lived for 13 years with a total of 2000 $ vet bill at the end...insurance for all 3 of mine would be more than that per year...I am working hard on keeping them healthy. So maybe opening a *doggy CD* at 4 % interest would be the better idea *g*
Our veterinary office offers an in-house insurance. It has saved us $$$$$, especially since our Cairm Terrier is now 13.