Anyone have pet insurance?

[XemaSab]

What do I need to know about that action?

I have three dogs, and even though they're all middle-aged, I know there's going to be a fat bill sometime in the not-too-distant future.

[Mac1949]

2. My Roommates have two...

One is the Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan (sort of a pet HMO):

Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan

and to take care of any procedures not covered they have CareCredit:

CareCredit

They tell me they have been very pleased with this arrangement.

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. I was refused pet insurance

on a middle aged dog with no health problems. I lost that kind and gentle soul in February 2011. He had significant health problems during the last 6 months of his life.

I was also refused pet insurance on a 5 month old dog that had minor kidney problems that were completely controlled by diet - and have been throughout his lifetime. That dog is now approaching 10 years of age.

I took the money I would have otherwise paid in pet insurance premiums and set it aside for thier care - and paid out of pocket for their annual shots and routine care (about $200 to $300 annually depending on whether or not we did dentals). If you start doing that when the dog is a pup then you'll likely be setting aside over $300 a year. I also shopped around for veterinary care when I first got my pups.

Paying out of pocket for routine care and setting aside the premium in my own savings has proved to be more than adequate to care for my animals. As long as I have the ability to do that I'll never even consider getting pet insurance.

[Walk away]

4. If I had done the same thing I would have twice the maximum...

pay out in the bank right now. I have had insurance for Henry for 8 years. This year the rate went up almost $100! That's worse than my BCBSNJ!

My other two dogs were adopted too old to make pet insurance make any sense. The rates for older dogs are extremely high.

[robinlynne]

5. posting so I can find this later. Thanks for the info!