My friends in the UK and I have frequently discussed the pros and cons of pet insurance. It seems to be the 'done thing' there, not so much here.

One thing that strikes me is how expensive even routine vet care seems to be in the UK compared to Switzerland. Several friends have commented that before insurance became so widespread prices were quite a bit lower. Now... causation, correlation, or happenstance? Who knows.

But at least I don't have the headaches my friends ergularly do, having to battle with their insurers to get their pets treated.

I adopt senior dogs or dogs with known health concerns - I doubt an insurer would be willing, let alone able, to offer me a cost effective comprehensive policy.

Fortunately routine care is still a good value here, which makes it easier to put a bit aside regularly to take the sting out of emergency and catastrophic illnesses.