Pet Insurance

For some people, the very idea of buying pet insurance boggles their mind. Just ask any farmer if he has insurance on his dog. Chances are he’ll laugh loud and hard and look at you like you are some kind of pinko degenerate.

For many of us, however, the idea of pet insurance is not that far-fetched, especially if we ever had to pay the medical on a pet that got in a tussle with the neighbor’s dog or cat.

Stitches and one scratched eyeball = $$$$$!

So for those of us who are considering pet insurance after paying though the nose on several occasions, here are some approximate costs.

For a monthly fee of between $25 and $40 (depending on where you live and the type of pet) you can expect to get something like this:

* $2,000 towards each accident or illness per year

* $500 towards an accidental death

* $250 towards advertisements and rewards in the event our pet is lost or stolen

* $250 towards boarding/homecare in the event we are hospitalized

* $500 towards unrecoverable holiday costs due to urgent treatment of our pet

* $25,000 liability if our pet damages other property or pets

* $75 towards prescription food if prescribed by a vet

* $300 towards covered medical devices

* $200 towards behavioral therapies

* $300 towards alternative therapies

* Deductibles ($100.00 annual)

* 20% Co-pay.

Now, chances are a plan like this will not cover normal vaccinations, routine medical appointments, obedience or training classes, cosmetic dentistry, flea control, injury or illness caused by war or terrorist activities. In addition it will provide no liability coverage if your pet is considered "dangerous" under federal, state or municipal law.

This should give a better idea of what you will get for your money should you decide to purchase some insurance on Fluffy or Bowser. Remember to get online and shop around for the best deal and don’t feed your critters those buffalo-wing leftovers.