Cars are a result of intelligent design and so rarely result in extra expense even when old, apart from occasional collisions and rarely fire and theft. But dogs are a result of evolution with a bit of recent human imposed eugenics which for certain 'breeds' (all dogs are basically mongrels) has resulted in what might be called dysgenic health problems. Hardly surprising their health insurance costs somewhat reflect human health insurance costs.

We have two Westies - 8 & 15. Self insured. They're Westie number 4 & 5 for us. No. 3 was diagnosed diabetic @ 9. Lived for another 5 years with injections twice a day and after he pegged it I did a quick totting up of the cost - about £4,500, but it wasn't really noticeable at £50ish a month for insulin and needles. And the occasional day at the vet for blood sugar tests.

I can see why some owners like the reassurance of having insurance in place, but dogs are more likely to become ill (as opposed to accidents) as they age and that's the time premiums rocket, just as with humans. The 15 year old (16 next month) has probably cost us around £1k excluding routine servicing. A lot less than the insurance premiums would have been.

Edited by Chris M on 14/08/2023 at 11:58