What are the pros and cons of pet insurance?

Pet insurance is very expensive, and like house insurance you can put hundreds of dollars into it and your dog may not require using the health insurance until they are much older. However, health insurance also cuts back the cost of the shots the dogs need during the year. You don't really see the investment in this until your dog has a more major problem.

If you have a large dog with a low-slung back-end (boxers, grey hounds, German Shepherds, etc.) then their chances of having "hip displacia" is almost certain and any procedure the vet will do will be costly. Border Collies are prone to eye problems (some go blind later on and also can have hip problems) and small dogs can have joint or back problems and respiratory problems as well.

The draw-back on Pet Insurance is you have to get it before your dog gets ill with a certain health problem. ie: Your dog has to have x-rays and an operation for hip displacia and then you want the insurance. They won't cover it! If your dog has the above, but has another problem in the body then it will cover this particular problem as long as the dog didn't have it before the time you got the health insurance.

To get the best out of insurance, you would ideally want to insure them as soon as you can. Preferably when they are young like 1 or so because companies wont cover claims it if is a pre-existing conditon. This doesnt mean you shouldn't get insurance when they are older.

Also, please ready each plan carefully and be sure it's a good one for the money. I'd go "mid price" and be sure it covers emergency calls.