Hi Linda, Always a personal decision and if one has the self discipline to save a specific amount each month towards future emergencies related to one's dog that is good but unfortunately most families might find another "emergency" and use those funds! As a matter of interest I would like to make a case here and show why insurance might be a good course:-) Here in Canada we have two main companies, PetPlan and PetCare, for a premium less than $40 per month you get good coverage for all illnesses and accidents excluding pre-existing ones. That said $40 per month multiply by 12 months multiply by 10 years (being hopeful with longevity here) comes to a total of $4800 for the life of a ten year old dog. Now that might seem like a lot of money but one cruciate surgery gobbles up $2000 and an emergency torsion costs up to $4000 and cancer treatment can very quickly exceed $5000. One eaten sock and intersussception can cost upwards of $2000 and any overnight stay in the ICU for a diagnostic workup for mystery illness starts at $350 for care alone. Lets say the medical crisis occurs at age five years then there is only $2400 in the pot, not very much really and there would most likely be follow up care perhaps for the remainding surviving years. Generally speaking the odds of having wasted the money on premiums are low and at the end of the day will be recouped for medical costs.
I would recommend puppy owners invest in insurance for at least the first two years of the dog's life because this is the timeframe orthopedic problems are going to emerge and again re-invest in insurance for the late middle years and onwards. As a breeder it helps give me peace of mind knowing that my buyers will be able to consider life saving treatment for emergencies. Rose T. (and no I'm not an insurance salesperson:-)
