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Old 07-10-2013, 07:13 PM   #1
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Default Insurance ramblings and questions

I asked my vet the other day about getting insurance for Lola and he said he doesn't recommend it.
He said one of his patients needed a $4,000 surgery and the insurance company said it was only worth $2,000 so they only paid their portion of the $2,000. He didn't know which company it was.

I've been with this vet for 14 years, and he took excellent care of my dog with her epilepsy and congestive heart failure.

After all I went through with my other dog I'm afraid to not have insurance, but at the same time I'm unsure.

The companies I checked want $30-40 a month, which seems high since Lola is only 4 months old.
Even if I added up all the medical costs from my other dog I think I would have just about broken even, before co-pays. (($30 X 12 months)X 15 years)= $5,400.

I know anything can happen, and how insane prices can be. My cousin's dog had to have a bunch of teeth pulled and it was $600!!! (doesn't sound normal to me, and she didn't go to my vet)



Has anyone filed a claim with an insurance company? Which one? How did it go?
Do most cover things such as pulling teeth as long as it isn't a preexisting condition?
Do any of the good ones cover routine stuff such as vet visits, vaccines, flea & heart worm medications, spaying, etc?
Would the cost stay the same or go up as Lola gets older or if I file claims?
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Old 07-10-2013, 07:20 PM   #2
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I'm curious as well. I read some threads about it but still unsure. Looking forward to hearing from others about this too.
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Old 07-10-2013, 08:52 PM   #3
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Insurance companies are in business to make money. The only way to make money is to take in more than you pay out.

Insurance premiums always go up. I've never heard of anyone paying the same price with a 6month old, a 6 year old and a 16 year old. There are also a lot of exclusions and as your vet stated, many payout based on what they believe the service should cost, not the actual cost.

For me it's always worked out better to put money aside in an interest bearing savings account each month...that's what I did with my last yorkie.

I got ZoE shortly after I sold my last house & downsized, so I had cash on hand and put some into a CD for her should she need any major surgeries or procedures. I also went the CD route, as both my kids were young adults in college with little money themselves, and I didn't want them to be burdened with the cost of caring for ZoE should anything happen to me.
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Old 07-10-2013, 11:41 PM   #4
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They have a LOT of exclusions.

We paid $7500.00 for Noah's 10 day ICU parvo stay. None of the insurances would have paid any of it. They would have covered the 35.00 office visit but nothing else.

I personally think insurance is a huge scam. We had an ICU visit for me at our local hospital and we didn't have insurance. With insurance a 3 day ICU stay would have cost upwards of $10,000.00. We paid $1400.00 cash. This included an ER visit and having my stomach pumped. In order for the hospital to make money from the I Sundance companies, they have to jack their prices up so high. C-Section with insurance at a hospital? $25,000.00. Cash patient? $6000.00. Ridiculous.
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Old 07-10-2013, 11:58 PM   #5
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My vet also recommended that we self-insure and save for emergencies rather than purchase insurance.

I agree it's probably the smarter way to go....if you are diligent putting money aside.
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Old 07-11-2013, 12:39 AM   #6
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Ive had insurance.for 2 years for my two and it has MORE than paid for itself. It paid $2500 for Stanley's testing & MRI, and $3500 for Phoebes cataract surgery. It was wonderful that I didn't have to worry about money when they needed care! I'm sure its not for everyone, but after this year i wouldnt be without it. I use Petplan & have been very happy with their service.
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Old 07-11-2013, 05:50 AM   #7
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I got insurance for Pfeiffer (my youngest) when she was a puppy and WOW it paid for itself big time. There was a scare in her blood work early on and she needed all kinds of testing, an ultrasound, and a biopsy during her spay. The ins company (Petplan) paid thousands. It was well worth it, for sure.

I now have all 3 of mine on Healthy Paws.
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Old 07-11-2013, 06:13 AM   #8
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Thanks for the input everyone.
I'm also considering getting the insurance for a few years, that way if she's going to have a chronic condition it'll hopefully show up by then.

Quote:
Originally Posted by McheleM View Post
They have a LOT of exclusions.
We paid $7500.00 for Noah's 10 day ICU parvo stay. None of the insurances would have paid any of it. They would have covered the 35.00 office visit but nothing else.

I personally think insurance is a huge scam. We had an ICU visit for me at our local hospital and we didn't have insurance. With insurance a 3 day ICU stay would have cost upwards of $10,000.00. We paid $1400.00 cash. This included an ER visit and having my stomach pumped. In order for the hospital to make money from the I Sundance companies, they have to jack their prices up so high. C-Section with insurance at a hospital? $25,000.00. Cash patient? $6000.00. Ridiculous.
I'm surprised it didn't cover the parvo. Was it considered pre-exisiting? preventable? happened too soon after getting the insurance?

You lucked out with your hospital bills. I know a lot of people without insurance and the hospital tried to make them pay the full amount; the only options are to apply for charity care (very hard to get) or make them an offer and hope they accept.
With insurance you'd most likely only have to pay your max of out pocket, for me that would be $3,000 and you could probably negotiate with the hospital.
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Old 07-11-2013, 07:19 AM   #9
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Zoey's first year I had trupanion with no claims. They upped my premium from $30+ to $50+ so I had to change to petpartners. I have had several claims and they paid 90%. One was for one day at vet's for pancreatitis and the cost was $900. The second was for a bee sting which cost $400. So the premium for that year was $350 and I certainly got the better of the deal. As long as I can afford the insurance I will keep it.
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Old 07-11-2013, 09:34 AM   #10
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I am reposting a reply to another insurance thread.. As far as the amount received back.. I'm sure it's higher now.. Closer to 6,000.

I have it and won't go with out it. The key to insurance is enroll while they are still young. This is the math so far.

Taycie turned 3 in March. I have had Taycie on insurance since was was 5 months old. My monthly premium has cost me $1,272 thus far.

In those 3 years Trupanion has paid back $5589.46. This is her up to date pay back amount. I just sat and added it all up. For me, there is NO way I could put $5589.46 on a credit card/ care credit and then pay it off in a reasonable time so I could use it again.

And.. I am on a fixed income.. I really don't know how I could save that amount and then turn around and replenish my savings. I would be in big trouble.

So For us.. Insurance is the answer.
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Old 07-11-2013, 11:54 AM   #11
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I have Trupanion (Canada) for Enzo - So far, we have not had to use it.

I look at it this way...Just like house, car, life etc. insurance - You pay your premiums hoping you never have to use it, but if your house burns down, your car is in a crash or you can't work due to illness, then you have it to help.

Same with Pet Insurance - I will gladly pay, and hope I never need it, but sleep better at night knowing I do
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Old 07-11-2013, 08:11 PM   #12
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I think if I had a $4000 vet bill and my insurance paid half, I would be a happy camper. Some, like Healthy Paws, expect you to pay for routine care (the cost of owning a pet). Others, like Embrace (Dori's insurance) have a wellness plan. If I put away $50/month (our premium) for Dori's care, it would take 10 years to accumulated $10,000 for an emergency.

My opinion, I would not be without insurance.
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Old 07-11-2013, 08:39 PM   #13
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I don't have insurance but mostly because I have so many animals that if I had insurance for 4 cats and 4 dogs, it would me cost me more in premiums over time. But if I had only one or two I would consider insurance.
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Old 07-15-2013, 08:25 PM   #14
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Default Dog insurance

I have insurance and every time my little one gets sick it is a big fat bill... She goes down hill very quickly because of her size, she is 5 lbs. She spend a night at the vet with IV, emergency care on a Sunday off course, trowing up blood & bloody poop. I was ready to die with her! I pay her insurance every year, one payment and don't think about it too hard. This year her insurance went up $77.00 more, they explained to me that is due to the high cost of what the vets charge per services. My insurance renews automatically, I will regret it if something happens to Dora and I don't have insurance.
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