Do people in the States not pay for pet insurance?
We sure did go for it in Toronto. Vets seem to charge by the pound (wait, sorry, kilogram, immigrant…). Large dogs seem to come with large medical bills, and we were strongly advised by friends and family to go for pet insurance.
Now, I am not actually sure that pet insurance, versus setting up a dedicated savings account that we sock money into, was the best idea. If anything, we went for it because I am from the States, and I assume any non-trivial medical issue will be cripplingly expensive.
I don't. Part of the reason is I'm ok with a small chance of a few thousands dollars bill, but a bigger reason is I don't trust insurers: their standard contract would first explain how I have no rights and then add that if I have a problem with that, I can go to their pocket court (arbitration) to learn that I really have no rights.
It's available, and some people pay for it. I would be very careful to read all the fine print though.
For me, the cost of routine care, spay/neuter, and a certain amount of unforseen expenses should be part of what you plan for when you get a pet. Beyond that, it's a judgment call as to whether the cost of some treatment is worth it. I know people who have spent thousands of dollars treating cancer in an old dog, and others who have euthanized younger pets who developed expensive but in theory treatable health problems. I don't think either approach is wrong, it's up to the owner.
My dog just had major knee surgery (TPLO). Its cost will be total of about $5k when we have some x-rays in a few weeks. I don't have pet insurance, however, most companies don't cover it. There are tons of loopholes, like human insurance.
Do people in the States not pay for pet insurance?
We sure did go for it in Toronto. Vets seem to charge by the pound (wait, sorry, kilogram, immigrant…). Large dogs seem to come with large medical bills, and we were strongly advised by friends and family to go for pet insurance.
Now, I am not actually sure that pet insurance, versus setting up a dedicated savings account that we sock money into, was the best idea. If anything, we went for it because I am from the States, and I assume any non-trivial medical issue will be cripplingly expensive.