Found this great series over at The New York Times called "The Puppy Diaries." The author is writing about the first year of owning a puppy. Good stuff.
This particular article is about pet health insurance. She says, "pet insurance" but we know she means pet health insurance. In the article, Jill, the author, talks extensively about what she considers the pros and cons of having pet insurance for Scout, her puppy, who is almost six months old. Much of what Jill writes has been posted here - for instance, she says, "Frankly, I think the possibility of a big out-of-pocket puppy health expense is pretty high." Smart woman.
She notes that friends' pets have had to have emergency surgery for one thing or another, and pet health insurance is supposed to help cover something like that. Which it does. Certainly, Dr. Bill and Dr. Larry have shared some claim stories that prove it. And, we have more coming.
Beyond that, though, I was surprised at one statement she made. She said she'd done some research and checked monthly premiums ranging from "about $12 to $45." Then, she wrote, "Ouch!"
Hmmm...I'm not sure what the "ouch" is for. MY health insurance is 1000X more than that and...I still have high deductibles. As someone who is well aware of the terrible things that can happen - beyond the car accidents, the eating stuff they shouldn't, and the reality that some pets have skin allergies and /or become allergic to their food, what about cancer? Our pets get that - and it needs treatment. I suspect many of us, myself included, would be hard pressed to pay for cancer treatment, without help.
Is the security of spending $45/month worth it - knowing there are dozens of things that could happen to my cat or dog...? I think so.
Like many things in life, pets cost money. You need to feed them, clothe them (well, you know...get'em a bed or dress'em up for Easter; at least that's what some people do), and you need to love them. With love comes care. With care comes responsibility. Responsibility requires pet parents to at least consider pet health insurance. And, if that means cutting back on the lattes, or on pizza, so be it. IMHO
To Jill, who wrote the excellent article, I say this, "The bigger ouch is when you take Scout in for a broken leg, or an insect bite that got infected." Case in point, my daughter's dog, Twiggy - seen with her cast in this picture. How did she break her leg? Just running around the dog park!
|
« Previous Pets and The Economy |
Next » Seven Deadly Sins of Pet Health Insurance |
