[ahazra]

So we're getting our first GSD puppy in a few weeks. Researched this board and met a good breeder in NC and have paid the deposit on a black/red male puppy who comes home in another couple of weeks.
One thing to note is that both parents of the puppy have hips certified and all their pedigree also had excellent hips (pedigree database). The breeder is giving me a 2 year warranty on congenital diseases or hereditary diseases like hip dysplasia.
The question I have is what do folks on this forum recommend on getting a Pet Insurance ? Get it/ not get it and just put aside money each month for contingencies. What has worked out for other GSD owners.

 

[ahazra]

Thanks folks for all the responses. I had a GSD puppy earlier that developed subluxation and OA by the 15th week. I had Trupanion at the time and they did cover some portion (they didn't cover the several office visits and the Specialist visits). They just covered 90% of the actual test (blood test and Xray). Luckily the breeder was honest and took the puppy back.

At the end I ended up spending $800 in medical bills out of which some $450 were covered. Add the $300 for the annual pet insurance and we are just $50 shy of the $800 that I paid. This couldv'e gone either ways...it just worked out to be an almost zero-sum scenario.

Also, I just found out that my wife's employer has group discount on Pet Insurance. I'm tempted to get more details on that next week and will post what the details are.
Thanks for all the inputs.