[momology]

Does anyone have pet insurance? Is this something that is worth it?

[SpazTaz]

Nope. Any financial analyst/CPA will tell you it's a waste. You're better off starting a savings account for your pet and putting $30-$50 a month into that, that way if you need it, the money is there, and if you do not then you're not paying premiums for nothing and you still have your money. Many times claims are denied for various reasons as well. Typically you will end up spending more in premiums over the course of your pet's life than you will to simply pay for whatever condition that may come up that is treatable. Keep in mind as well, pets are not people, we love them yes, but at the end of the day they are animals, and so sometimes it is the kinder thing to let them go when their quality of life isn't going to have quality anymore. For example, could I have put my dog through chemo for his brain tumor to add a few months ot his life? Yep, sure could have, but it would have meant in and out of the vet's office, an expensive bill, him being unhappy for those remaining months, so, we chose not to go that route for a few different reasons.

Not something I recommend to people or do myself. Even having had animals with major medical problems (as you can see in my siggy), I still wouldn't recommend it, nor have I acquired it for my remainign pets. Make sure you have the cash to pay if you so choose, but I would (and do) skip the pet insurance.

[momology]

Thanks so much for your input!!!! We have several friends with it and we weren't sure we really needed it. . . but we have never had a pet before so we thought we were missing something.

We will skip the pet insurance. Such a great idea to just put some amount aside every month for them instead!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

[cuatx]

We do, for one of our horses. We came to that decision based on his purchase price, his resale value and our "upper limit" on cash payments for treatment. Insurance was a good choice for him, but it wouldn't be for any of our other animals.

I agree that you would typically be better with a savings account, so that's a good option.

[ameliabedelia]

I looked into it and actually had a plan (VPI) through my last job, but it wasn't really worth it. We haven't looked into it since, because we have a pretty decent savings and emergency card for pup's medical care, but it seems like a lot of those plans I HAVE encountered don't really help with any of the things we have ever been to the vet for.