very happy about reimbursement from VPI!!!

[Dame]

Originally Posted by redvalaria

I'm glad you are happy. Really. But you obvioulsy aren't an accountant....I run a large grant and spend a lot of time looking at cost/benefit analysis.

So, 2 dogs. $70/month x 12 months = $840

you spent $1750 + 840 =$2590

you got back $611.37. (611.37-2590=1978.63)

so, you still spent $248 MORE than if you hadn't had the insurance at all.

So, how is that a good deal?

The some of the biggest reasons people get pet insurance is to

A. cover accidents
b. cover genetic issues like luxating patellas (depending on the policy and the insurer)

She may have paid $1978.63, but if an accident were to happen (which we all know you can't plan for) that $1978.63 could have saved her thousands. That cost of the insurance once a month more then pays itself off if it something horrible was to happen. Its no difference then health insurance. You ARE going to pay for months, for years (if ever!) you really need it. Some people don't think its worth the investment, some do. In the end... not having it when you need it is a lot more limiting then having it all along and spending more then you needed to have the coverage when a serious situation arises.

We can all complain about the cost of health insurance when we don't need it, but when WE do need it.... paying all that money for when you don't need it becomes incredibly important.

You may not feel that having dog insurance is worth it in case of accidents - but many of us do. I am thankful that you've never had to pay high emergency vet bills, but many of us worry about having to do so! You don't buy pet insurance to cover routine things (at least not a $70 a month policy) you buy it to cover the things you can't plan for.

Your post was written in a way that was incredibly condescending and totally uncalled for.

This post IMO was created to show that these insurance companies do actually pay. It was not a invitiation for you to tell us "But you obvioulsy aren't an accountant...." and that you think its illogical. Not only is that off topic but its not at all necessary.

[ally173]

Originally Posted by BLowry

For those you have been asking about pet insurance...just wanted to let you know what I sent in and what I got for a return...I have 2 yorkie girls and pay 70.00 a month for both of them. I have the Superior Plan. I had sent in 1 yrs worth of claims (you are aloud to do this) The amount came up to approx 1750.00. I sent in their spay and teeth cleaning as well even though I KNOW the plan I have WILL NOT cover this. However, because Sadie had to have a tooth pulled they considered her to have gum disease (which she does not have) So....the amount that they sent the return back was approx 750.00. Of this bill I received 611.73 back!! I am VERY happy with VPI. I could have paid more per month for a upgrade that would have included the spay and teeth cleaning but, you only spay once! and as for the teeth cleaning...if they need it I will just pay for it..SOOOO. I believe the 70.00 a month is well worth it!

glad to hear that you did well with the insurance; and don't worry yourself with arrogant people that force their advice on people; if that person had nothing nice to say then maybe not answering the thread would have been better for everyone. i understand where you are coming from because i have insurance for my dog and i still spend much more than that because my dog has gastritis and she was admitted to the hospital twice; i am usually at the vet at least once a month;
anyway, can you tell me how the vpi insurance works; is that also for new jersey. thank you

[vwill]

I also have to comment on "vet care is just NOT that expensive." You are really lucky (and I am jealous!) if vet care is not expensive in NC, but in CA it is very expensive. I pay $35 a month per dog for insurance. If I had simply saved that amount for my first yorkie in an account at 5% (not sure where I would even find that rate), it still would have taken me about 15 years to save the amount of the vet bill. (yes, I did spend that much money on emergency care )

Now I have three dogs, so I definitely feel insurance is worthwhile based on my own experience.

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by redvalaria

Look, I don't see how you can say I insulted you. I just did a quick calculation.

I do feel that way about a number of things: I don't pay for collision insurance on a car that costs less than $6,000 because the premiums would be more expensive than the cost of replacing it.

I carry health insurance on my family because a medical emergency could run to the 100's of thousands of dollars. I love my guys, but vet care is just NOT that expensive. And yes, I have made the trip to the emergency vet before, it was less than you paid in a year's premiums, so I came out on top.

All I was pointing out was that you paid out more than you got back, plus you did pay the "uncovered" portions of those bills.

I guess because I deal with more than my own personal finances (I run a $21M grant for a state) that I feel obligated to do a cost/benefit analysis on these things.

Insurance companies only make money if you spend more than they pay. Otherwise, they couldnt afford to stay in business.

I don't see how on earth you can compare that to house taxes, which everyone has to pay to keep the roads, schools and government functioning.

What I am saying is, in any given year, you spend close to $1000 on TOP of unreimbursable vet bills, when, if you saved that same amount of money (in an interest bearing account) you would have far more than the $500-600 they might reimburse you in any given year.

But I am somehow MEAN for pointing this out?

But you obvioulsy aren't an accountant


THIS statement was VERY insulting to me....I am NOT stupid person! And apparently you didn't read my post very well! I did submit the entire bill of 1750. FULL WELL KNOWING they would not cover the spay and teeth cleaning..the amount that I WAS getting reimbursed on was approx 750.00. I received 611.73 in reimbursment checks...so I feel I made out pretty damn good. And again....do you feel this way about house and health insurance?? how about car loans...mortgage payments...I'm sorry if I am sounding ungrateful to you figuring this out for me but. I came on here to let members know, that have been asking about pet insurance, how I made out..
And for the property taxes.....My kids are older and I STILL pay for school tax and busing...you can't sit and analyze everything...it's depressing enough

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by Dame

The some of the biggest reasons people get pet insurance is to

A. cover accidents
b. cover genetic issues like luxating patellas (depending on the policy and the insurer)

She may have paid $1978.63, but if an accident were to happen (which we all know you can't plan for) that $1978.63 could have saved her thousands. That cost of the insurance once a month more then pays itself off if it something horrible was to happen. Its no difference then health insurance. You ARE going to pay for months, for years (if ever!) you really need it. Some people don't think its worth the investment, some do. In the end... not having it when you need it is a lot more limiting then having it all along and spending more then you needed to have the coverage when a serious situation arises.

We can all complain about the cost of health insurance when we don't need it, but when WE do need it.... paying all that money for when you don't need it becomes incredibly important.

You may not feel that having dog insurance is worth it in case of accidents - but many of us do. I am thankful that you've never had to pay high emergency vet bills, but many of us worry about having to do so! You don't buy pet insurance to cover routine things (at least not a $70 a month policy) you buy it to cover the things you can't plan for.

Your post was written in a way that was incredibly condescending and totally uncalled for.

This post IMO was created to show that these insurance companies do actually pay. It was not a invitiation for you to tell us "But you obvioulsy aren't an accountant...." and that you think its illogical. Not only is that off topic but its not at all necessary.

THANK YOU DAME!! I also feel her comment was uncalled for! I am NOT a stupid person...AND I know down the road as they become older I will probably have to use it more...I hope to GOD not! If I waited to get insurance when they were older I would be paying a much bigger premium AND they don't cover pre-existing conditions...so in the long run "I" feel I am doing the right thing.
And actually the policy that I have DOES cover routine visits...I have the superior plan that covers part of the OV and shots, heartworm and lyme tests and heartworm meds.

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by ally173

glad to hear that you did well with the insurance; and don't worry yourself with arrogant people that force their advice on people; if that person had nothing nice to say then maybe not answering the thread would have been better for everyone. i understand where you are coming from because i have insurance for my dog and i still spend much more than that because my dog has gastritis and she was admitted to the hospital twice; i am usually at the vet at least once a month;
anyway, can you tell me how the vpi insurance works; is that also for new jersey. thank you

Thank you Ally!!

You can actually go the their site, it will explain everything to you. It doesn't matter where you live. Your vet won't submit any bills. You have to pay everything up front then submit the bills yourself. Make sure you keep all your receipts from the vet. you have to fill out a claim form then either fax or mail it in along with the bills from the vet. I fax mine...you get a quicker response. I usually hear within a few days how much my return is. This time it took a little longer as I sent in a years worth...Which is another thing...you can send them in when you want! There is no time limit on when you have to send them in. I am, so far, VERY happy with VPI. And they are very pleasant to deal with...

Brenda

[orlnurse]

I also have the pet insurance through Banfield pet hospital. Here's how I look at it. Regardless if in the long run, I end up paying a little more annually I'm happy with the plan. At least I don't have to put out lumpsomes of cash at each visit. It covers all office visits, vaccines...etc. I'm a new dog owner and was very anxious when I first got Max. He saw the vet or his staff numerous times for minor things but I didn't pay a cent at those visits. I know I've saved more money this year for his visits than if I hadn't had the insurance.

[ally173]

Originally Posted by BLowry

Thank you Ally!!

You can actually go the their site, it will explain everything to you. It doesn't matter where you live. Your vet won't submit any bills. You have to pay everything up front then submit the bills yourself. Make sure you keep all your receipts from the vet. you have to fill out a claim form then either fax or mail it in along with the bills from the vet. I fax mine...you get a quicker response. I usually hear within a few days how much my return is. This time it took a little longer as I sent in a years worth...Which is another thing...you can send them in when you want! There is no time limit on when you have to send them in. I am, so far, VERY happy with VPI. And they are very pleasant to deal with...

Brenda

thanks for the info; and i wish i knew about this plan before i took Ava to the hospital the past weekend; it cost me a lot of money; so this vpi insurance works even if you take your pet to the er pet hospital; they dont care where you take ur pet; they will reiumburse? that's great.

[Carl]

We have used VPI for over 2 years now and we've gotten back at least what we've paid into the insurance.

[Rerun201]

Originally Posted by Dame

The some of the biggest reasons people get pet insurance is to

A. cover accidents
b. cover genetic issues like luxating patellas (depending on the policy and the insurer)

She may have paid $1978.63, but if an accident were to happen (which we all know you can't plan for) that $1978.63 could have saved her thousands. That cost of the insurance once a month more then pays itself off if it something horrible was to happen. Its no difference then health insurance. You ARE going to pay for months, for years (if ever!) you really need it. Some people don't think its worth the investment, some do. In the end... not having it when you need it is a lot more limiting then having it all along and spending more then you needed to have the coverage when a serious situation arises.

We can all complain about the cost of health insurance when we don't need it, but when WE do need it.... paying all that money for when you don't need it becomes incredibly important.

You may not feel that having dog insurance is worth it in case of accidents - but many of us do. I am thankful that you've never had to pay high emergency vet bills, but many of us worry about having to do so! You don't buy pet insurance to cover routine things (at least not a $70 a month policy) you buy it to cover the things you can't plan for.

Your post was written in a way that was incredibly condescending and totally uncalled for.

This post IMO was created to show that these insurance companies do actually pay. It was not a invitiation for you to tell us "But you obvioulsy aren't an accountant...." and that you think its illogical. Not only is that off topic but its not at all necessary.

Totally agree with you! The post was incredibly condescending. Then their next post had to mention how big the grant project was that they oversee. Sounds to me like someone wants to appear superior, and they picked the wrong place to do it.
As for the OP, good for you for the insurance and getting reimbursed! Just remember, some people try to make themselves feel better by putting others down.

[Rerun201]

Originally Posted by redvalaria

I'm glad you are happy. Really. But you obvioulsy aren't an accountant....I run a large grant and spend a lot of time looking at cost/benefit analysis.

So, 2 dogs. $70/month x 12 months = $840

you spent $1750 + 840 =$2590

you got back $611.37. (611.37-2590=1978.63)

so, you still spent $248 MORE than if you hadn't had the insurance at all.

So, how is that a good deal?

You may be an accountant, but you should also learn spell check

[silverjoy]

The lesson here is BE KIND when trying to make a point to another poster....

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by ally173

thanks for the info; and i wish i knew about this plan before i took Ava to the hospital the past weekend; it cost me a lot of money; so this vpi insurance works even if you take your pet to the er pet hospital; they dont care where you take ur pet; they will reiumburse? that's great.

yes. that is correct.

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by Rerun201

Totally agree with you! The post was incredibly condescending. Then their next post had to mention how big the grant project was that they oversee. Sounds to me like someone wants to appear superior, and they picked the wrong place to do it.
As for the OP, good for you for the insurance and getting reimbursed! Just remember, some people try to make themselves feel better by putting others down.

Thank you Rerun!! I am VERY happy with my return