Our view or opinions of an outcome often retroactively determine the merits of the decisions we make. Deftly diving out of the way of a speeding car would logically seem to be a smart decision. Landing in the way of another oncoming car, in retrospect, takes smart out of the equation.
Your choice was the same either way. You jumped out of the way of a speeding car. But the results dictate the apparent intelligence of the decision you made. If that’s the case, then we’re all subject to fate when it comes to measuring the virtue of our choices. But there’s another way of looking at things.
A very intelligent man once explained to me that the virtue of a decision can’t be judged on the simplicity of the decision itself but has to take all variables into consideration. Don’t worry, I had the same deer-in-the-headlights look you may have right now when he said it to me. But he went on to clarify things.
He asked if I would be enticed by an offer that could earn me $50,000.00 in ten years for a meager upfront investment of only $5,000.00. The odds, he explained were only about 50% that I would hit that target and improved if I would be willing to accept a lesser return. I’d have much better odds of realizing $40K, for example. But regardless, the odds of my losing my initial investment were very small. Though I’d have to wait 10 years, I’d be virtually assured of getting at least my initial investment back. Was I interested? I was, but only if I had no other interests in mind for that $5K. My response wasn’t enthusiastic.
He then asked me if I’d bite on an offer of $5 million, to be paid out in a week, if the initial investment was just $5 for a lottery ticket. Without pause, I reached for my wallet and told him to go fetch the ticket.
In response, he smiled, shook his head and told me I’d just made the same bad decision thousands of lottery ticket purchasers make every day. In failing to consider odds of return on their investment, they make a bad decision simply for being impressed by the potential return on investment relative to the cost of buying in.
But the point we’re trying to make here isn’t about gambling on lottery tickets or dodging oncoming traffic. What this article focuses on is the sometimes difficult choice we face when considering the value of purchasing veterinary insurance for our pets. If you’re in the market, you already know that it isn’t always a cut and dry decision.
Much as with the investing example, many of us struggle with the choice of insuring our pets because we tackle this dilemma with the same irrational approach we might apply to purchasing a lottery ticket. What if our pet never requires an expensive procedure? Will we be able to stomach having thrown away all that money over the years for nothing?
On the opposite side of the coin, emotions prevail. What if we don’t purchase the insurance and wind up unable to afford to pay for an emergency? Will that mean we didn’t love our pet enough? Are we wrong for assigning a dollar value to the health of our animal?
In both cases these are the wrong approaches and will not lead to a smart decision. Basing the choice on what-ifs is wholly unproductive. No matter how healthy your particular breed may be in general, you can’t predict accidents such as poisons or car accidents.
The emotional approach is no better and, in fact, can blind you to important realities. All the love in the world won’t change your financial position if you can’t afford the monthly expense for pet insurance. I’d dearly love to buy controlling interest in Microsoft. That passion doesn’t translate to the financial ability to do so. Nor does the lack of finances mean you love your pet any less.
The decision of whether or not to purchase pet health insurance requires a rational approach. Examine the facts. If your pet should require an unexpected and expensive procedure, could you cover the costs out of pocket? Keep in mind this could cost you thousands of dollars. If you earn a good living or have a particularly robust savings account (and are good at not dipping into it) the there may be no point in getting insurance.
Consider your pet’s age and potential breed-specific health concerns. If you have a puppy, don’t live in a dangerous area with heavy traffic, plan to keep a close eye on your pet when it’s outside and have a generally healthy breed, postponing the decision to get health insurance until it is older may be the rational approach. Just don’t discount the potential for emergencies in your choice.
Take the time to do the research and math. It may make sound financial sense to pay a monthly fee just in case. For many the peace of mind of knowing their pet is covered in the event of an emergency makes the monthly expense of insuring a pet is preferable to taking an unexpected hit to their savings. Job stability, how much you have in savings and how comfortable you are unpredictability should be the factors that influence your decision.
The bottom line is that you should take the time to honestly assess the facts. Do your research, consider your cash position and make the choice based on what makes sound financial sense. Leave the excitement and emotional highs and lows to day traders.
Tags: animals, care, coverage, exotic, health, insurance, pet, pets