Pet Insurance - Anyone have this?

[Devils'Advocate]

I have two cats that are getting older. Both are between 7 and 8. I'm thinking of buying pet insurance for them. I was looking at the Presidents Choice program, but there appears to be 101 ways for them to reject any claim. For example, it only covers certain illnesses, if my cat already has the illness then it's not covered even if I am not aware of the condition and there is the tagline of "for more details, read carefully the policy terms and conditions when you sign the insurance papers".

Has anyone purchased pet insurance before? Has anyone ever made a claim before?

I'd be really P.O.ed if I paid $20/month/cat and then have one need a $4,000 operation only to find it not covered by the insurance.

[Claeren]

^ And THAT is why i think owning pets is ######ed!! (no offence)

PET INSURANCE?!?!?!? There are hundreds of millions, if not billions, of starving PEOPLE around the world and people actually buy insurance to offset the potential cost of expensive surgury?! It is a frikkin cat/dag - why not put it down when it is that sick? Putting it down has to be less of a crime against your humanity/god then spending that much on a pet instead of a starving child?!



Claeren.

[jam26]

I saw an investigative report on the news that showed pet insurance is rarely worth the money. Even in worse-case scenarios, it was rarely worthwhile.
The report showed that putting the amount of the premiums into a savings account for such emergencies will almost always be a better investment. And if your pet remains healthy, you still have the money.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Claeren

^ And THAT is why i think owning pets is ######ed!! (no offence)

PET INSURANCE?!?!?!? There are hundreds of millions, if not billions, of starving PEOPLE around the world and people actually buy insurance to offset the potential cost of expensive surgury?! It is a frikkin cat/dag - why not put it down when it is that sick? Putting it down has to be less of a crime against your humanity/god then spending that much on a pet instead of a starving child?!



Claeren.

Way to have an open mind. For many people, their pets are like there children. A person can have the same attachment to an animal as they do a person.

Having said that....if my cat needed a $4000 operation....I would not be paying for it unless I was filthy rich. I have paid on one occation where a raccoon attacked my cat, about $700 in vets bills over the course of a year. I think that is pretty reasonable for years and years of companionship.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by jam26

I saw an investigative report on the news that showed pet insurance is rarely worth the money. Even in worse-case scenarios, it was rarely worthwhile.
The report showed that putting the amount of the premiums into a savings account for such emergencies will almost always be a better investment. And if your pet remains healthy, you still have the money.

That is a good idea.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Claeren

^ And THAT is why i think owning pets is ######ed!! (no offence)

PET INSURANCE?!?!?!? There are hundreds of millions, if not billions, of starving PEOPLE around the world and people actually buy insurance to offset the potential cost of expensive surgury?! It is a frikkin cat/dag - why not put it down when it is that sick? Putting it down has to be less of a crime against your humanity/god then spending that much on a pet instead of a starving child?!



Claeren.

There are a lot of things we acquire through our life, frivolous things, all costing a lot of money, NOT just a cat or a dog. It is not fair to say to a pet owner, put your money towards starving children, not a frikkin cat/dog as you said. So when you have given up all of the frivolous things you have acquired, then you can preach to the person who was asking about pet insurance. And how do you know the person who asked a simple question about pet insurance does not help starving children or contribute to other needy causes? Being a pet owner does not negate the fact that people can still care and address causes concerning needy people in the world.

Pet owners consider their pets an extension of their family, and I know from your comments that you will never understand that. BUT, being a pet owner, I would find it hard not to have my pets in my life.

Pets are completely reliant on us, as are children, no matter if the children are needy or well cared for. And they love us for us, not for the things we can buy or accumulate, they love us for us. Pets can teach you a lot about loving, an awful lot about love that is free and unattached.

And yes, there does come a time in a pet's life when you have to ask yourself, is there enough quality remaining for me to consider further medical intervention? And yes there comes a time when you have to say goodbye to them. But as my veterinarian told me, when the time had come for me to address problems with my Jessie, you have to decide if any intervention you go ahead with is for you or for your pet. When a pet and their owner have a strong bond, the pet will go on for their owner, even though physically it makes it very hard on the pet.

And yes, it will hurt, just as much as when you lose a much loved "people" member of your own family. It will be no easier for people to deal with their pet being sick and terminal, anymore than it would be to deal with their child or parent or friend being in the same situation. You can tell a lot about people observing how they treat animals.

You might not understand pet owners, but at least try and show a bit of humanity and compassion for their feelings as owners of their "furry" members of their family.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by redforever

There are a lot of things we acquire through our life, frivolous things, all costing a lot of money, NOT just a cat or a dog. It is not fair to say to a pet owner, put your money towards starving children, not a frikkin cat/dog as you said. So when you have given up all of the frivolous things you have acquired, then you can preach to the person who was asking about pet insurance. And how do you know the person who asked a simple question about pet insurance does not help starving children or contribute to other needy causes? Being a pet owner does not negate the fact that people can still care and address causes concerning needy people in the world.

Pet owners consider their pets an extension of their family, and I know from your comments that you will never understand that. BUT, being a pet owner, I would find it hard not to have my pets in my life.

Pets are completely reliant on us, as are children, no matter if the children are needy or well cared for. And they love us for us, not for the things we can buy or accumulate, they love us for us. Pets can teach you a lot about loving, an awful lot about love that is free and unattached.

And yes, there does come a time in a pet's life when you have to ask yourself, is there enough quality remaining for me to consider further medical intervention? And yes there comes a time when you have to say goodbye to them. But as my veterinarian told me, when the time had come for me to address problems with my Jessie, you have to decide if any intervention you go ahead with is for you or for your pet. When a pet and their owner have a strong bond, the pet will go on for their owner, even though physically it makes it very hard on the pet.

And yes, it will hurt, just as much as when you lose a much loved "people" member of your own family. It will be no easier for people to deal with their pet being sick and terminal, anymore than it would be to deal with their child or parent or friend being in the same situation. You can tell a lot about people observing how they treat animals.

You might not understand pet owners, but at least try and show a bit of humanity and compassion for their feelings as owners of their "furry" members of their family.

Compassion and Humanity?

Pet owners chose animals over fellow humans!

Some how if Jesus was alive today i do not see him living in suburban Calgary with 2 cats and a dog. I see him commiting his life to others and that probably means fighting for their rights in far off places like Africa (for example). And i have a distinct feeling that when you get to heaven and you say, "yeah, i hoarded my wealth, drove a SUV, consumed products that exploited 3rd world labour, and lived a super comfortable life but i DID have 2 sponser kids in Africa that cost me almost as much as my cell phone bill each month and i cared deeply for my pets" that it is not going to get you past the guards at the gate. That does not seem like a very Christ-like life - in effort not to mention in results.

I personally do not believe in Christian morality, and so I can/do think there IS some balance between 'personal gain/satisfaction' and 'doing good', but considering most people in the first world do believe in Christianity, i think it is HILARIOUS that they think they can some how reconcile those beliefs with pet ownership. It is the most wasteful thing i have ever seen. It is a many-times-over multi-BILLION dollar industry!

And yes, it will hurt, just as much as when you lose a much loved "people" member of your own family. It will be no easier for people to deal with their pet being sick and terminal, anymore than it would be to deal with their child or parent or friend being in the same situation. You can tell a lot about people observing how they treat animals.

I think this is disgusting. Only someone in the first world would think in such a morally horrible way. Your pet is equal to your parents, wife, children? Your pet is also seemingly more important (proven already by your mere ownership and the money you spend on it) then the millions of people who starve to death every year. (Assuming you believe in a higher power,) do you really think that god would allow someone with this twisted a perspective on the value and meaning of life into heaven? Wow... Does your dog have a soul? Does a cow? Did a hamburger? You know that dogs are farmed just like cattle in Asia, right? Are THOSE dogs as important as people? Or just YOUR dog?



Claeren.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Claeren

Compassion and Humanity?

Pet owners chose animals over fellow humans!

Some how if Jesus was alive today i do not see him living in suburban Calgary with 2 cats and a dog. I see him commiting his life to others and that probably means fighting for their rights in far off places like Africa (for example). And i have a distinct feeling that when you get to heaven and you say, "yeah, i hoarded my wealth, drove a SUV, consumed products that exploited 3rd world labour, and lived a super comfortable life but i DID have 2 sponser kids in Africa that cost me almost as much as my cell phone bill each month and i cared deeply for my pets" that it is not going to get you past the guards at the gate. That does not seem like a very Christ-like life - in effort not to mention in results.

I personally do not believe in Christian morality, and so I can/do think there IS some balance between 'personal gain/satisfaction' and 'doing good', but considering most people in the first world do believe in Christianity, i think it is HILARIOUS that they think they can some how reconcile those beliefs with pet ownership. It is the most wasteful thing i have ever seen. It is a many-times-over multi-BILLION dollar industry!



I think this is disgusting. Only someone in the first world would think in such a morally horrible way. Your pet is equal to your parents, wife, children? Your pet is also seemingly more important (proven already by your mere ownership and the money you spend on it) then the millions of people who starve to death every year. (Assuming you believe in a higher power,) do you really think that god would allow someone with this twisted a perspective on the value and meaning of life into heaven? Wow... Does your dog have a soul? Does a cow? Did a hamburger? You know that dogs are farmed just like cattle in Asia, right? Are THOSE dogs as important as people? Or just YOUR dog?



Claeren.

You have a piano on your back and you speak with anger, a lot of anger.

As I said before, owning a pet does not negate the fact that people can be just as moral and do as many of the good things that you preach about as you do.

Owning a SUV, having a cell phone, owning a comfortable house, none of these negate the fact that we can care about our fellow man. We all do as much as we can, some do little if any (and dont forget, this is seen from our eyes, not theirs ), some do a lot. Some do a lot with little, some do little with a lot, some do nothing. I might not like that, you might not like that, but it is how it is. You might as well accept that, it is a fact, that is how man is. Mankind has failings, like it or not, each and everyone of us has failings, not one of us is perfect and not one of us can change it all to good. If you do not accept the fact that we can not change everything in the world (again, dont forget, changing according to your standards), then you will be angry all of your life.

I try to accept the fact that there are things in life that are beyond my control. The trick is to let go of those things and concentrate your efforts where you are truly able to make a difference. If what you do, is different than what I do, it does not make you right and me wrong or vica versa, it merely means, we see things in a different light and approach life differently. I will applaud your efforts, I would hope you applaud mine, and if I have a pet in my life while I try to address other issues that are dear to me, you have no right to assume I am a bad person who does not care.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Claeren

Pet owners chose animals over fellow humans!

Yes, I often chose animals over humans, but that's because the majority of humans are disgusting creatures and pretty much deserve what they get. Animals haven't raped the planet, slaughtered their neighbours or beaten their mates and young, so ya, give me an animal about three times in four over a human. They seem to show more compassion and humanity than most humans.

Your stance seems to operate from the premise that humans are the supreme life form on the planet. Out of curiousity, what do you see in humanity, aside from technological prowess, as justifying our deification? Did you know that dolphins also engage in sex for pleasure, not just procreation? That, along with their intelligence, suggests that dolphins are a fairly complex species. What makes humans better than dolphins? War? Hate? Greed? Politicians?

[GoinAllTheWay]

Holy crap, almost any thread can go badly sideways these day, eh?

Anyhoo....

DA-A buddy of mine purchased pet insurance at the time he bought his pitbul, pitbul wound up getting two bones lodged in its esophogaus, don't recall the exact amount but pretty sure it was a 3K emergency surgery, covered by his pets insurance.

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by Claeren

^ And THAT is why i think owning pets is ######ed!! (no offence)

PET INSURANCE?!?!?!? There are hundreds of millions, if not billions, of starving PEOPLE around the world and people actually buy insurance to offset the potential cost of expensive surgury?! It is a frikkin cat/dag - why not put it down when it is that sick? Putting it down has to be less of a crime against your humanity/god then spending that much on a pet instead of a starving child?!



Claeren.

You know, I'm sure I'm guilty of this myself but what made you feel that you had to post this? The original poster, whether you agree with the premise or not, is asking for peoples' experiences relating to the ins and outs of pet insurance, not a diatribe about whether it is worthwhile or not to someone who obviously doesn't understand the motivations in getting it. Why post what you did? It's not constructive in any way, not to mention the very real possibility that the person you are berating donates money yearly to what you would consider 'more worthwhile' pursuits, but also is looking into this product.

Why don't you rail against french fries? Starbucks? Do you have any hobbies? That's pretty damned frivolous, if you ask me: you should be damned thankful to live in Canada and have such a relatively fun life compared to the starving children around the world. Every spare cent you have should go directly to these children; nay, you should devote your entire life to their service. Good grief ... let those without fault cast the first stone. Get over yourself. (No offense, right, you can append that to any statement and its OK to say it because you didn't mean any offense, rah, rah)

To the OP, lest my post be completely off-topic: my wife and I did indeed choose to purchase pet insurance for our two cats (boo, hiss, what a terrible person I am, time to re-evaluate my life) when we brought them home from the SPCA, through a carrier that they suggested. If you would like, PM me and I will give you further details.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by jam26

I saw an investigative report on the news that showed pet insurance is rarely worth the money. Even in worse-case scenarios, it was rarely worthwhile.
The report showed that putting the amount of the premiums into a savings account for such emergencies will almost always be a better investment. And if your pet remains healthy, you still have the money.

It's not really news, never mind investigative reporting that insurance is rarely worth the money. And in related news, human insurance of any kind is not worth the money. In the long run, or in a massive sample it is NEVER worth the money. (Anyone who is familiar with 'expected value' will understand that) That's why insurance companies exist in the first place.

However in a sample of one, it can save you from large expenses. Put it this way, if you can affort to pay for $1500 or so of surgury don't get it, but if you picture that day coming and you can't afford it and they have to put the cats down and that is unbearable to you, then get the insurance.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Claeren

^ And THAT is why i think owning pets is ######ed!! (no offence)

PET INSURANCE?!?!?!? There are hundreds of millions, if not billions, of starving PEOPLE around the world and people actually buy insurance to offset the potential cost of expensive surgury?! It is a frikkin cat/dag - why not put it down when it is that sick? Putting it down has to be less of a crime against your humanity/god then spending that much on a pet instead of a starving child?!



Claeren.

Claeren, I'm sure you can then confirm for us that you have no discretionary dollars sitting around that don't go to feeding the disadvantaged. weather its extra clothes, flames tickets or pet insurance, discretionary money is discretionary money and to say that only certain dollars should be redirected to help the sick or hungary is ... well in your words, ######ed.

That was the worst, thoughtless, dumb, illogical post I've seen in a couple months. Good Job!!!

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by jam26

The report showed that putting the amount of the premiums into a savings account for such emergencies will almost always be a better investment. And if your pet remains healthy, you still have the money.

I've done this for other things and it works well. For example, everytime I buy some product and they try to sell me an extended warranty, I kick $20 to $40 into a "household maintenance fund". I've been doing this for close to 20 years, and it has always covered basic repairs for household appliances and such.

I'm self-employed and doing the same thing with a personal disability insurance plan.

So I can see where the same tact would work well with pet expenses as well. It would probably never cover a $4000 procudure, but it would probably be more than adequte for $500 to $1000 procedures.

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Claeren, I'm sure you can then confirm for us that you have no discretionary dollars sitting around that don't go to feeding the disadvantaged. weather its extra clothes, flames tickets or pet insurance, discretionary money is discretionary money and to say that only certain dollars should be redirected to help the sick or hungary is ... well in your words, ######ed.

That was the worst, thoughtless, dumb, illogical post I've seen in a couple months. Good Job!!!

You forgot to put "no offense" before "That was the worst ..."

Remember, "no offense" is the key phrase that allows you to say anything you want to any one you want.

And I eagerly await the same confirmation.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Claeren

Compassion and Humanity?

Pet owners chose animals over fellow humans!

Some how if Jesus was alive today i do not see him living in suburban Calgary with 2 cats and a dog. I see him commiting his life to others and that probably means fighting for their rights in far off places like Africa (for example). And i have a distinct feeling that when you get to heaven and you say, "yeah, i hoarded my wealth, drove a SUV, consumed products that exploited 3rd world labour, and lived a super comfortable life but i DID have 2 sponser kids in Africa that cost me almost as much as my cell phone bill each month and i cared deeply for my pets" that it is not going to get you past the guards at the gate. That does not seem like a very Christ-like life - in effort not to mention in results.

I personally do not believe in Christian morality, and so I can/do think there IS some balance between 'personal gain/satisfaction' and 'doing good', but considering most people in the first world do believe in Christianity, i think it is HILARIOUS that they think they can some how reconcile those beliefs with pet ownership. It is the most wasteful thing i have ever seen. It is a many-times-over multi-BILLION dollar industry!



I think this is disgusting. Only someone in the first world would think in such a morally horrible way. Your pet is equal to your parents, wife, children? Your pet is also seemingly more important (proven already by your mere ownership and the money you spend on it) then the millions of people who starve to death every year. (Assuming you believe in a higher power,) do you really think that god would allow someone with this twisted a perspective on the value and meaning of life into heaven? Wow... Does your dog have a soul? Does a cow? Did a hamburger? You know that dogs are farmed just like cattle in Asia, right? Are THOSE dogs as important as people? Or just YOUR dog?



Claeren.

Again, by using your rational anyone who spends money on Flames tickets (I'm under the assumption that nobody NEEDS flames tickets) is a sick and disgusting person because they put NHL hockey ahead of the hungry right?

As well, why would the actions of people in Asia have any impact on what a dog owner in Cgy does? If Asians jump over a cliff should we?

So they don't like dogs and cats, who cares, people here do. So I guess the cat in my house is more important to me than cats in Asia are to asians or me frankly. Sorry.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Clarean....you are a piece of work.

Both of my cats I rescued because somebody decided to throw them into a ditch and let them die. I didn't go out and pay $10,000 for a hypoalergenic cat as you are trying to make pet ownership out to be.

There is only so much each person can do to contribute to society. Short of moving to Africa to help people personally.....there is only so much money that can be given.....money doesn't solve everything as you most certainly seem aware of. Some things are out of our hands.....get use to it.

Oh.....go rescue a pet.....it appears that you need som eloving attention.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Claeren, I'm sure you can then confirm for us that you have no discretionary dollars sitting around that don't go to feeding the disadvantaged. weather its extra clothes, flames tickets or pet insurance, discretionary money is discretionary money and to say that only certain dollars should be redirected to help the sick or hungary is ... well in your words, ######ed.

That was the worst, thoughtless, dumb, illogical post I've seen in a couple months. Good Job!!!

No, that is not at all what i said. You just can't read.

I said that IF you are Christian AND you waste thousands (and maintaining multipule pets over a lifetime especially in this scenario of doing so through serious sickness is probably into the tens of thousands+ over a lifetime) of dollars on maintaining the life of a bunch of silly animals then you are likely not living up to what i see as the ROOT of that faith. You are saying you are christian while you are acting like a typical faithless consumer. Actions speak louder the words, and in this case those actions are certainly not very christ-like. (Although how many behaviors of the first world citizen really are?)

I am not worried about being judged for my actions so my own spending is meaningless in the debate.


Claeren.

[Inferno]

I rescued my cats too by adopting them from the Humane Society. It felt pretty good giving two cats a second chance at life that their previous ****ty owners didnt give them.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Claeren

I said that IF you are Christian AND you waste thousands (and maintaining multipule pets over a lifetime especially in this scenario of doing so through serious sickness is probably into the tens of thousands+ over a lifetime) of dollars on maintaining the life of a bunch of silly animals then you are likely not living up to what i see as the ROOT of that faith. You are saying you are christian while you are acting like a typical faithless consumer. Actions speak louder the words, and in this case those actions are certainly not very christ-like. (Although how many behaviors of the first world citizen really are?)
Claeren.

So it's okay to own pets and spend money on them if I'm NOT a Christian? Phew, that's a relief. I'm more of a pagan than anything, so I guess it's okay for me to have a pet. Your arguement is then more of an anti-Christian thing than an ant-pet ownership thing.