The puppy has arrived, the essentials have all been taken care of. A visit to the vet, follow up scheduled, a nice little bed for Tuffy to lie on,
perhaps a crate with another soft bed inside that she can retire to at night. Food and drinking bowls, supply of natural food and treats, lead and collar, perhaps a coat, and a few toys. Done? Not quite.
Pet Insurance!
Pet insurance is so important that you might want to have Immediate Coverage Pet Insurance in place before you bring Tuffy home. Many years ago when our daughter Vanessa left home to be on her own, she quickly got herself a puppy. She went to the local shelter and picked out a cutie. The pup was spunky, of indeterminate breed, but oh so cute. Those kohl lined eyes hinted of beauty and aristocracy, even if only in the eyes of the beholder. Vanessa named her Cali.
Overnight Cali got sick. The vet diagnosed parvo and suggested that the pup be taken back to the shelter in exchange for another. Asked what the chances would be with treatment, the vet was not very encouraging. Vanessa decided that this pup should have a chance at life, and after some $1500 in vet bills, Cali pulled through.
Vanessa did not have the money. She was just 18. The vet was kind, took pity on her and her pup and let her pay on the cuff. But still, $1500 was a lot of money for a young girl just starting out on her own and it took her some time to pay it off.
Had she had the foresight to purchase pet insurance before taking Cali home, it would have been a different story. Cali, bless her doggie soul, should have been called Trouble because that is what she got into a lot, and the vet bills continued to be a steady line item in Vanessa’s budget.
What are some of the things to consider?
REGULAR COVERAGE
Includes regular things like annual checkups, teeth cleaning, vaccinations and other sorts of preventative care. Ask your vet for a list, and then get a quote from your vet as to what this would cost per year. These are not typically costly expenses and you may opt to forgo this basic care and pay for it out of pocket so as to keep your premiums at a minimum. Some insurance companies may include this as a starter and build up from there.
VETERINARY FEE INSURANCE
This would include more than the basics. What if your puppy gets sick from having eaten something that she should not have, or developed some sort of a reaction to something and may need an overnight or even a longer stay at the vet clinic. May even need to be on IV. Medication. These are real and valid costs that can run up your vet bill into the thousands.
ACCIDENTS
My friend’s dog Gus was kibitzing around with a very rambunctious furry pal. Somehow, the other dog managed to swat Gus’s eye area, rendering a huge gash through the eyelids, miraculously leaving the eye intact. Complications ensued. Almost $2000 later, Gus is fine.
LIABILITY
Rocko might be a lovable and gentle dog, but for some inexplicable reason this most gentle of dogs suddenly takes a dislike to another dog and attacks that dog, or worse yet, a child, and delivers much damage. I personally know someone whose child was attacked in the dog owner’s home. The damage to the child was a scar on her face, a scar that over time became less and less pronounced, yet the award was significant enough that the trust fund that was created not only paid the now grown girl for her college but living expenses as well. A scenario like that could easily bankrupt you.
TRAVEL/HOLIDAY
If you travel a lot and take your furry family member with you, it would be wise to include this option. Most people take their pets with them on road trips. The dog is in unfamiliar territory and in his excitement might get careless and get into some sort of an accident … or, again, just might suffer with a sore tummy, dehydrate or something equally upsetting. Be sure that your insurance covers out of state veterinary coverage.
BREED SPECIFIC CONDITIONS
Some breeds are more prone to certain conditions, such as hip dysplasia, stomach torsion, eye problems, and the list goes on. When buying a breed do some research to see if this breed is predisposed to certain conditions. Include this in your “shopping list” when asking for a pet insurance quote.
For the best pet insurance coverage for your pet – shop around.
