By David Pilley on February 1, 2012
.jpg.aspx) Pet insurance. I honestly had no idea such a thing existed until I saw these words in a new task order. Many people consider their pet dog or cat a vital member of their family. Some people, as seen in a recent episode of ABC’s “Modern Family,” may even give preference of their pet over a human family member from time to time. Just like people, animals get sick or injured, and mending the malady will cost money. Therefore, some people decide to buy pet insurance. The question I’m trying to answer: “Is pet insurance worth it?”
I may sound callous, but the answer is a resounding NO. Well, really the choice is yours. If you want to spend money on Fido or Kitty, you have the freedom to do so. What I’m saying is what you put into it is not worth what you get out from it, moneywise. Let’s start with the basic fact. Animals are not humans. You may ascribe human characteristics to your animals, such as happiness when Fido wags his tail or licks your face. In reality, humans and animals are not good communicators. When Fido is licking your face, he may just be going after the peanut butter on your breath. And when Kitty rubs her face against your hand, she’s really just marking her territory. Fido can’t tell us when he’s eaten a bunch of tennis balls, and Kitty can’t explicitly tell us when she has a stress fracture. No matter how much love we give to our pets, they’re still not humans! Animals cannot give consent or sign a contract, and that’s the main reason why you cannot marry your Fido or Kitty.
Second, your animal will not outlive you. Unless you have a Galapagos tortoise for a pet, you will outlive your pet. In fact, you may outlive many pets during your lifetime. A dog or a cat may live between ten and fifteen years, depending on the breed. (The smaller the animal, the shorter the lifespan.) The average lifespan of a pet sounds like the average lifespan of a car, but a car is much more valuable in your everyday life than a dog who tears up the carpet or a parrot who squawks “Hello.”
Finally, though animals are not humans, pet insurance works the same as human insurance. The company may be in a cubicle thousands of miles away, Fido may need a physical exam before qualifying for coverage, and you will still end up paying out of pocket because the insurance company will not cover everything. Hip dysplasia is the most common problem for cats and dogs, and the majority of pet insurance plans do not cover it or other pre-existing conditions. Maladies such as broken bones, torn ligaments, cancer, and removal of foreign objects from the stomach can all cost thousands of dollars. Why pay someone thousands of miles away when you can just deal directly with a veterinarian?
With a healthy animal, you may be paying a couple hundred dollars per year if you decide on getting pet insurance. Ultimately, it’s your choice. If you are wealthy, it’s your money. If you are a horse or dog breeder, insurance may be a necessity. However, if you are an average Joe like me, with student loans or credit card debt or other types of bills, pet insurance may just result in more debt. If 15 year-old Fido or Kitty is ailing, it may be best to replace it than repair it.
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