Pet insurance. Is it worth it?

[AcesWild]

What are the different places that offer pet insurance? How does it work, can someone explain it to me?

http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_p...e_Nav_193.aspx

This one is... $155.45 the first year (less than what I spent on Moxie's last vet visit)

Any First Time Illness
For each first-time illness your pet incurs and needs treatment.
**Maximum two illness claims per year. $ 500

But there is a $100 deductible so I still would have had to have paid the first $100 of Moxie's bills?

I am just considering this for my next dog, Moxie is too old to qualify for any of these.

[Dignity]

I know there have been many posts on pet health insurance if you do a search on it. As with anything - it seems that some people have lots of luck while others feel they get walked all over.

[Bclover92]

I say you are better off just to take part of your income and save it in a savigns account and use the money out of that for your pups vet visits. Most of these things you have to pay other fees or use certain vets so it is easier just to save the money yourself.

This way you can save up in case of a emergencey too.

[AcesWild]

Excellent thanks!

[borzoimom]

The insurance we have is through the vet. Its set only for emergencies. We also have a savings account for the dog, but at least if we did need it, it is there.

[AcesWild]

My favorite vet doesn't take appointments and his prices are fairly reasonable this is just for one of those "just in case" scenarios so that I don't have to ask my parents (who would be more than willing to help out).

[agilityACD]

I took out insurance on my new pup. Never done it with my other dog and had some big expenses like double cruciate surgery.

Well in my pups first year she was diagnosed with bilateral elbow dysplasia and had surgery and also had pyometra. The vet bills came to $5500 of which my insurance paid about $4300.

So even if I insure her for the rest of her life and never claim again it was worth it! I keep my premiums low by opting for a $200 excess. So I was covering myself for the big ticket items.

Some insurances dont cover genetic conditions like dysplasias but mine did.

[AcesWild]

What insurance was that if I may?

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

I have insurance on Cali since she was a pup and have gotten my money's worth every year. I don't have wellness, just accident and illness.

I use VPI, which is the country's largest animal insurer. I don't know if it pays off for the routine stuff, but I feel good knowing it's there in the case of a catastrophe. I also have the cancer rider since so many dogs die of cancer.

VPI will not cover genetic/hereditary stuff so be sure you learn what those are for your breed (i.e. hip dysplaysia in German Shepherds).

[agilityACD]

My insurance is with PetSecure and they do cover genetic conditions like elbow dyplasia here in Australia as long as they are discovered after the insurance is taken out.