What are your views/actions on handling your pet medical care bills? Originally I had done research and was set on getting Embrace pet insurance for Louie, but reading a thread today I see some of y'all have some kind of self saving account (aka stashing money away). What other methods/philosophies do you folks abide by when dealing with this subject?

In my view, if I stash away ~$700 a year (equivalent to premium I would pay) and he needs crazy expensive procedures ($10k+), what I've stashed isn't going to go a long way in that scenario (even if I've stashed for 5 years that'd still be only $3500). Hence that's why I was leaning towards insurance.

What are y'all ideas/experiences/thoughts on this subject? And if you do have pet insurance, which provider/why?

P.S. I know there have been other pet insurance threads, but I read through them and they seem outdated and doesn't address alternative methods (savings account/vet credit/etc).

If I was just getting a brand new puppy, I would probably do the insurance. Get it before you even take that pup to the vet for the first time though - you must not have ANY vet records where the insurance company can claim 'Pre-Existing Conditions'. Kasey had a rash from biting infected anal glands when he was 3 months old - the vet wrote down in his chart 'dermatitis' which is any skin rash whatsoever. We got the insurance about a week later, not knowing about the whole pre-existing condition hoopla or that she had written dermatitis in his chart. When he was about a year and half old he started having environmental allergies. We called the insurance company and asked if dermatology was covered - including skin testing, allergy shots, etc. and was told yes. So we went ahead and did them.

When the insurance company got the claim, they requested his chart from our vet, and saw there was an isolated case of dermatitis (from the anal gland irritation) and WHAM! - pre-existing condition excluded us from getting any claims paid at all because allergies fall under dermatitis!!

So be careful to read all the small print - there is usually a lot of it!

I just pay for this stuff in cash.
Or if its 10k or something crazy, I would weight my options between if it would better the dogs life, or just prolong it.

If it would better the animals life, I would then put it on a credit card and pay it off in a year, or two.

If it would just prolong the dogs life, I would then put the dog down.
There are worse things in life then death.

A lot of vets also offer care credit, which is a low interest or no interest payment plan for medical bills with several lengths of time for repayment.

With an adult dog that would probably be better option IMO.

You know, having or not having insurance is like gambling. Say you have it, and you have a healthy dog (always good - having a healthy dog, but good $$ going out the window to the insurance company). Say you don't have it and you have a catastrophic illness (yikes, not good), you may spend a lot of money - but most places take credit cards or have payment plans as mentioned before. This is probably Murphy's law argument.

I would put aside a savings account for emergencies.

Hi Simon,

I agree with Lori in that if you do decide to get insurance, it is imperative that you get it early before the pre-existing conditions begin to accumulate if at all.

The best advice I have to offer isn't necessarily pro insurance(even though I have two dogs that have insurance.)
I will say to make it a point to save and save more than you think you will need, because if something does happen unexpectedly, you will need it.
The costs these days for emergent care/critical care is very expensive. Many diagnostic tests are very expensive, as in the thousands.
I think it makes sense to have the insurance if you have multiple dogs, but as long as you save and put a decent amount away for only this reason, you should be fine.But bear in mind, you need the money up front to pay for the bill, even with insurance, and then you get reimbursed.
I had a dog that was diagnosed with FCE, and I ended up getting 80% of the bills reimbursed to me, and also the physical therapy too. You can pm me if you have any questions about premiums etc, if you are curious.

The reality is, it depends on whether you are a good saver and can make sure you don't tap into that money because you never think something will happen, because it can and does.

Having a well cared for pet or working dog is a huge investment, not to mention the incredible attachment and bond you establish.
Just plan for it, and if you never have to use it, consider yourself truly lucky and blessed and if something does happen, you will have the funds to accommodate.
Best of luck in your decision!