Best Pet Insurance

[JuneBugs Momma]

I could not find a sticky on this subject so I decided to start a thread.

I am considering pet insurance for my JuneBug. Most, if not all, policies go by age and breed and do not cover pre-existing conditions. With JB being a Biewer, there is not much information on congeninal or hereditary dieseases within the breed. I am speculating that I would go more towards the issues that yorkies come across as having.

It's not that the policies are confusing, it is just that there are so many of them and most are VERY different. Where one policy covers cogenital and hereditary conditions, others do not OR you have to pay for added coverage. Some insurances charge a deductible per visit where some are yearly or per illness/injury.

The 2 I was looking into were HealthyPaws and Trupanion. Your comments are appreciated.

[107barney]

Just purchased embrace. I'll have some pre existing but overall I liked the company and a high deductible and small policy limit with low monthly premiums works best for us. This was the company that did that scenario best in my view. I also added the wellness plus package and dropped Rx coverage and the $101 each dog in wellness savings ill get more than offsets the premium for the insurance. I did a variety of real case examples on paper and figured all my costs and really felt this was the best one for us. A friend has it and has had good experiences as well. Good luck!

[JuneBugs Momma]

I have learned alot through talking to some of the brokers as well as some people and boy, it can get crazy! Not confusing, but crazy.

I am starting out fresh because Junebug is a rescue. Each carrier told me that they rate by age and breed mostly. The only way they would consider something pre-existing if it is documented in your vets records. Well, I just got him last month and he is around 3 1/2 yrs old with no history. If I already knew he had some sort of pre-existing conditions that were not going to be covered, it might make it easier to choose.

I was hoping for more responses, for I am sure there are many more forum memebers here that have their babies insured.

[ladyjane]

I am also thinking about either Trupanion or Healthy Paws....I am leaning more towards Healthy Paws. I have been toying with insurance for some time...and after having been slammed with major vet bills this past year I think it is logical although at this point a few have pre existing conditions now.

Someone posted this link recently that I found helpful:

Pet Insurance 2013 - Reviewed and Ranked

[Teresiana]

I'm with Trupanion. I asked the receptionist at my vet office her advice before I signed. I figured she would know which company is the easiest to work with. She also had a good idea of what kind of coverage I would need/what kind of claims I would be filing since she knows all of my pets.

[yorkiemini]

Deciding to get the insurance was not such a tough decision but selecting which one was maddening. I decided on Healthy Paws. Have not had to use it but after my last Yorkie's vet bill (neurology) I am a believer. I still save money every month for the deductible and to be able to pay the vet up front but like the feeling that I could financially deal with whatever Cali needed in stead of being so scared AND worrying about the. $$$$

[JuneBugs Momma]

Both are good companies but the one difference I did notice is the deductible and how it is applied. Healthypaws has a yearly deductible where Trupanion has a deductible per illness/accident. With Trupanion, if you put a claim in for any illness/injury (hyperglycemia, liver shunt, etc) you pay out that deductible once for the lifetime of the pet. If you have to have your furkid treated for hyperglycemia for the rest of it's life year after year, you will never have to pay a deductible for that illness ever again.

The pros and cons of each policy can drive you to drink! LOL!

[lisaly]

Here is a great article written by a veterinarian looking for pet insurance for her own dogs. It's a little outdated, but it has wonderful information.

Affordable Pet Insurance ? never worry about costly vet bills again | Dog-Breath

[LuvTaycieGirl]

I have Trupanion and been very happy with it. For me, I chose not too have a deductible so I do pay a higher premium a month, I also have the additional care package added as well. Trupanion has been wonderful. Great customer service and easy and fast claim pay. So far I have received over $6,000 dollars in costs reimbursed.

Insurance has been great!

[JuneBugs Momma]

I took everything into consideration when looking into these plans and it has taken me most of 2 days of constant reading and investigating.

Both HealthyPaws and Trupanion do not have underwriters which mean if for some reason they get into financial trouble, they will take all their policy holders with them and then your without coverage. Also, neither one pay for vet costs for the visit. Example: My dog is diabetic and needs to see the vet 4-5 times a year. Just to walk into the office for the visit is $80. So $80 x 5 = $400! Then ya have your co-insurance and if applicable, your deductible.

I called PetPlan and found out that they are based out of Philadelphia (which is a plus since I live just live an hour away). The bronze plan with a $200 deductible and no co-insurance (they pay 100%) came out to $25/month. Also, the adjuster told me that if I call him and purchase the policy over the phone, he will give me another 5-10% discount.

Looks like PetPlan for me!

[Sheronc]

I just purchased insurance and I feel so much better now. $22 per month for piece of mind is a very small price to pay!

[cummins]

I have VPI and have been very happy they pay real good have never had a problem with any of my claims

[lovepink11]

I purchased pet insurance as well. I went with VPI on the recommendation of a friend. The whole year will cost less than my one ER vet visit! (nothing was really wrong btw dramatic puppy, new puppy mommy lol)

[lovepink11]

my only question is, if I have pet insurance, we pay the fee initially and then file the claim to be reimbursed right? Some of the stuff is so expensive, I just hope I have he money to put up front!

[lisaly]

Originally Posted by lovepink11

my only question is, if I have pet insurance, we pay the fee initially and then file the claim to be reimbursed right? Some of the stuff is so expensive, I just hope I have he money to put up front!

A lot of people apply for Care Credit to use for emergencies. Once you are reimbursed from insurance, you can pay the card off. If you already have been approved, you won't have that worry if an emergency happens.