Pet Insurance

What does everyone think about pet insurance? When my family's dog died, the vet bill was around $1000. I know that's not a huge amount to what it could have been had he had surgery (biopsy) or seen the specialist (he had liver problems and didn't make it that long). He also had a torn acl so we would have had that repaired during the biopsy surgery.

So with my new puppy I was thinking pet insurance might be a good idea since right now I'm still in school and I probably won't make much money once I graduate. I asked the vet what he thought about it and he said he didn't have an opinion really one way or the other. Since Gunner is a lab/hound mix I was mainly thinking down the line in case he would have hip displaysia.

Does anyone have pet insurance? Would you recommend it? Should I just save a little bit of money for "just in case vet bills" instead?

I think it depends on what your plans are. Some pet insurance covers yearly preventative exams. If you are a serious pet owner/breeder I think pet insurance is a great idea.

On the other hand, some people only take their dogs to the vet when they get sick (which I don't recommend). Even in this case though - with insurance as low at $10/month, it could pay for itself with just one visit.

Just do some research and see what all they cover. Different companies cover different options.

For me personally, I do have it and would not go without it. For roughly $200 a year (per dog) - my dogs are covered up to their cap limit which is (I think) $3000. If they get hit by a car, get an infection, anything - they are covered.

I was fortunate to find a compaby that even covers spay and neutering. When I have this done - my policy has paid for itself.

You can get plans that run upwards of $40 a month. It all depends on what you need.

You might want to read this thread: http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69&highlight=insurance

I firmly believe in pet insurance ! My last dog died from cancer and if it wasn't for the insurance ..i would had to put him down.The cost of the treatment was well over $1500. They paid for most of it .and I was able to keep my pup for 6 more months.I have VPI insurance and would never be without it.I hope all works out for you.Scottie lover Mary Jane

I am a Vet Tech and I do think pet insurance is a great option for pet owners and my hunsband and I have it on some of our dogs (only the more special ones) that is because we own 19 and can't afford it for all of them anyways the only down fall is the fact that not all Veternarians take insurance so you have to be sure yours does or that you want to switch vets