A pet is like a child. If you decide to have one, you’re taking on a big responsibility.
So you’ve decided to purchase that scruffy pup with the floppy ears or that spotted cat that rolled on its back for you when you came close. Your life is about to get a lot happier, but you now have a responsibility towards your pet that entails a variety of caretaker duties.
Animals don’t qualify for government benefits. This means you have to front the overheads for your pet’s health, which can be quite costly. Pet insurance seems like the most affordable and cost effective alternative to do this, but is it worth it?
The decision on whether or not to purchase pet insurance depends entirely on your financial situation. On average, the yearly costs can range from $200-300, adding up to around $5000 for a single lifetime of a pet. Some consumers can’t see themselves spending this amount on their pets during their lifespan, so they opt out, but beware — veterinary bills come with huge fees for emergency surgeries and overnight stays, and the risk of having no security blanket can be overwhelming when unexpected scenarios occur.
Like with any problem, determining the cons and pros and which outweigh the other is a common guide for deciding which way to go.
PROS
- Unexpected accidents or illness are taken care of, giving you peace of mind.
- Discounts on yearly vaccinations and/or insurance policies.
- Once-fatal pet diseases are now treatable, and although expensive, are made affordable with insurance.
- The best treatment and care for your pet is offered.
CONS
- Hefty insurance fees.
- It doesn’t cover everything. You’ll still be left holding the bag for vaccinations, worming, de-sexing and dental fees.
- Any pre-existing conditions will, usually, not be included in a policy.
For our money, the high fees are outweighed by the financial safety net and the peace of mind that comes with it. Pet insurance is an easy way of making sure your pet is taken care of.
If you’ve decided to get pet insurance, which company have you gone with? Has it come in handy? Let us know below.
My wife and I are a fur kid family. We have no children but have enormous love for our beautiful dogs. There are many more couples like us and the numbers are growing strongly. In the past people let their pets go when they got a serious illness like cancer, but now we are a more affluent society and dogs are your children, you will do anything and spend anything to keep them from pain and ensure the length of their life. We lost a very much loved four legged family member 4 years ago to cancer, it was the most devastating moment in our lives. It happened very quickly and up to that moment he was extremely healthy and active. Not having pet insurance at the time, I spent $9000.00 that I really didn’t have on treatment to try to save him, sadly to no avail. Never, ever again would i not have pet insurance. The instant peace of mind that it brings when you can say to a vet “I have insurance, give my dog the best care, make him/her well ” is worth every single cent. Your pets are invaluable, just like children, look after them.
Hi Allen I totally agree. We were in the same boat with one of ours a few years ago and now at least I know if something unexpected comes up we will be covered and not have the bill to deal with after the grief. I do get disappointed with some people’s views that pets are expendable if they get ill or become an inconvenience.