by Amy C.
Member since:
June 24, 2007

Pet insurance... is it worth it?

January 08, 2009 07:00 PM EST
views: 90 | rating: 10/10 (13 votes) | comments: 21

I am still in shock over my cats recent vet bill. He had  a emergency vet visit on Monday. He was having seizures. He was in very bad condition and had us very worried. I did the responsible thing any loving pet owner would do. I took Leon to the vet.

 

Once we got there they kept Leon under observation for about 3 hours and medicated him. They took blood and did several tests. I had to sign a form stating I would pay almost $600 for all the tests etc that he would need. I was overwhelmed. I could not believe it cost that much. When I had Drake who had medical problems his bills were not this high,but because of the emergency circumstances the bill in my opinion was outrageous. The good news.... Leon is doing good so far and has what we believe is a ear infection. The bad news is all those tests were not really needed but who knew?

I was wondering about pet insurance. Is it expensive? Does anyone have any experiences with it? Do they pay without hassle? How much do you pay monthly? I figure if it is not a lot it would be worth me getting. I would love to hear about your experiences with it.

 
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Comments: 21

Chris E. Jan 8, 2009, 7:07pm EST
My vet always said it really is not worth it because there is a lot of clauses in the insurance so you don't really get coverage for the expensive things that could go wrong. You have to look at each individual plan to see exactly what they will cover to see if it is worth the cost.
Vivian P. Jan 8, 2009, 7:13pm EST
I would like to know this as well I have 3 dogs and a cat and just yearly exams and shots are murder
Nora Davenport Jan 8, 2009, 7:14pm EST
Pet insurance definitely IS worth it! I've had it before and used it a LOT......they were always really good about paying and paying right away, as well.....I got it for, I think, $21 per month or so and had it for a couple of years until our dog died. There are different plans for different amounts of money, but we more than used ours when we had it. They definitely DO and WILL pay the higher expenses!
☀ Aunt Shanny Jan 8, 2009, 7:17pm EST
I JUST read in Dog Fancy magazine (I believe it was) that Pet Insurance is NOT worth the cost. What is better is negotiating something with your vet as far as maybe paying something each month that will cover the basics (vaccines, heartworm test/meds, etc.) and maybe something extra to go towards an emergency.

It doesn't hurt to ask them.
☀ Aunt Shanny Jan 8, 2009, 7:20pm EST
Consumer Reports says NO:

http://www.consumerreports.org/pets/0307vet2.html
Marianne R. Jan 8, 2009, 7:53pm EST
No. It's just a modified spending account. You're better off opening a savings account and paying the $100 a month or whatever into it. Then if something happens, you have some money to help cover the expenses.
Aunt Boni H. Jan 8, 2009, 8:54pm EST
Pet insurance has about the same value as earthquake or flood insurance ~ nill.
Amy C. Jan 8, 2009, 9:07pm EST
Thanks everyone for your input. I was considering opening a emergency account because it really bothers me touching my savings. I think if I opened up a little account and put a little into it each month then that would be there in case another situation arises whether it be with Leon being sick or needing new tires.

Thanks all!
Amy C. Jan 8, 2009, 9:08pm EST
nora what plan did you have company wise? I will look at their website and see what it says also! If it helped cover the routine stuff as well it might be good.
I've never had it myself
Laurie R. Jan 8, 2009, 9:24pm EST
I have just heard of it but we don't have it either. Sorry can't be much help. I am so glad that Leon is feeling better.
Charlie B. Jan 8, 2009, 9:55pm EST
Vet bills are outrageous .But you gotta take care of your family.
karie anne Jan 9, 2009, 5:04am EST
this happened to me recently. My dog got sick, i took her to the vet, they kept her 'overnight', which turned into ten days and dozens of tests, exploratory surgery, finally spleen removal. the bill? $2500. I didn't spend this much of my children! I have looked into pet insurance but they will not insure her as she is too old.
Amy C. Jan 9, 2009, 8:55am EST
Oh I am sorry Karie Anne thats sad. It does show how much you love her though making sure she gets taken care of like that. I remember back in 1993 I had a lab and when I took him to the vet for his vaccines and for tests on a tumor it cost me $45 . The knot was only a bruise and the vet drained the blood from it that day. I expected a vet bill of about $200 boy was I surprised.
Amy C. Jan 9, 2009, 8:55am EST
That was in SC and by a trusted vet that we used for years. I am sure he is retired by now he was in his 70s then.
karie anne Jan 9, 2009, 9:35am EST
true, Amy. I have another vet...a long-time friend...I took her to recently. He removed a mass from her head, charged me much less, and said, 'i am not sending it off. i know it is ok and benigh'...thus saving me $100. Needless to say, he is my new vet.
William Dotani Jan 10, 2009, 10:54am EST
It seems all medical insurance has gone through the roof. I really don't know. Our dog is 16 years old. We have talked about what to do if she gets very sick. It won't be easy to put her down, but we simply can't afford the vet bills.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Jan 10, 2009, 5:06pm EST
I have no idea. I know a couple months ago we had to take out miniature pinscher. We paid 200 bucks just to have one tests done and meds senmt home with him.
Thank goodness it wasn't more. The vet place would not accept payments. It had to be paid in full.
Mary Ann S. Jan 12, 2009, 10:56am EST
I have looked into and it is too expensive. Most of our pets are older and it would cost us quite a big.
Better to save for emergencies.
Rose H. Jan 12, 2009, 3:05pm EST
Vet bills around here are beyond outrageous, we don't have pet insurance, but I had it for my kitties when I lived alone and it was a big help.

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