A few years ago, pet insurance would have ranked right up there with policies on children and dread disease coverage on my list of insurance you don't need to buy.
Now I'm not so sure.
I still believe most people are better off forgoing the policies and instead putting the money they would spend on premiums into a savings account. Pet insurance can cost $2,000 to $6,000 over the life of an average pet, and the chances are slim you'd ever have to shell out that much for treatments.
Shouldn't I Wait Until My Puppy Or Kitten Is Older?
• Insuring your puppy or kitten when they're young means that you can lock in their rate until dogs turn 8 and cats are 12, saving money each month on their premiums.
• Curious young dogs and cats vhave the highest risk of accidents because they are so inquisitive by nature.
• Puppies and kittens get into almost everything, and often swallow objects while playing.
• Because their immune systems are not fully developed, young pets are also more prone to disease from viruses and bacteria.
• Symptoms of some diseases, like kidney failure, take months or years to show themselves. Since we are not able to cover pre-existing conditions, insuring your pets at a young age helps guarantee that the majority of your pet's illnesses will be covered.
When Is A Dog Or Cat Too Old To Insure?
• The older a pet gets, the greater chance it has of developing cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, and other problems of aging that we all do.
• The University of Missouri estimates that 60% of dogs over the age of 6 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer. Cancer treatments commonly cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000.
• Senior pets often require more care than their younger counterparts. You can rest easy knowing that every accident and illness that occurs after you sign up will be covered.
