Meet Clara, 9 week old black lab, here getting her shots at the vet.  As a first time dog owner I am looking to get some insurance for the little girl. Any recommendations from anyone who has insurance they are happy with?

Hi, Clara. She's way cuter than your avatar. I'm no help on the insurance.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2011/august/money/pet-costs/pet-insurance-rarely-worth-the-price-in-our-analysis/index.htm




We compared three brands—ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, 24PetWatch QuickCare, and VPI—whose parent companies together control an estimated 90 percent of the market—and Trupanion, a relative newcomer. For our test, we used the lifetime vet bills of Roxy, a 10-year-old beagle in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. She has been basically healthy but has had a few costly episodes, including three visits to a veterinary emergency room, two dental cleanings under anesthesia, and her share of ear and eye infections and gastrointestinal distress.



We projected the net benefit of pet insurance under nine policies for Roxy, a healthy 10-year-old beagle. Over the years, her vet bills have totaled $7,026 (in current dollars). Because Roxy has had few major health problems, the insurance would have cost more than it paid out. But when we added treatment for more serious problems and increased her vet bills to $12,685, five of the nine policies would have paid back at least a little more than they cost."

I just researched it a couple months ago and googled "best pet insurance 2014" and there were several places that ranked the top 10. I remember that the #2 option was actually the one I was going to go with after I did some research. We have not done it though. It increases every year by a pretty large sum. After having my mom spend $4,000 on surgery for a Yorkie, I've considered it more and more though. Start with the Top 10 lists and go from there based on what you want.

Beautiful pup man. Start training today.

TL/DR.  

Honestly OP, with a Lab, I probably wouldn't bother with pet insurance.  We have an English Bulldog, and with their known issues, we pay for insurance through Trupanion.  Its already paid off when they paid 90% (minus our deductible) of her ACL Surgery.  They sent a check for right around $1900.00 and we had it within a week after submission.  So its been well worth it for us. Luckily she's been awesomely healthy other then being a maniac (think Jack Russel with the body of a Bulldog)

Best of luck to you and your new pooch!

Check this rating.

http://www.consumersadvocate.org/pet-insurance/best-pet-insurance.html?matchtype=p&keyword=pet%20insurance%20reviews&adpos={adposition}

ETA  I had pet watch coverage for my Lab.  He had prostate cancer.  With the 75% option most of the expenses were covered.  Several times we had to call only to find out they didn't show we had sent any receipts or claim forms.  Ended up scanning and attaching to emails which improved response times.  My boy has been gone for over a year now and I do not regret carrying coverage on him.

The lab I had before that ended up with cataracts.  At the time the cost was $2,500 per eye and I had no coverage.  He had a stoke and died the week before surgery.

Great looking dog!  

Have you looked into PetPlan?  We had them in England for our pets, and will be getting the US version now that we are back.  Pretty good prices and great coverage!