Pet Insurance

[Paris Rain]

What are your thoughts about pet insurance? Yay or nay? if you have pet insurance, which company did you go with? My vet suggests VPI Pet insurance or Purina Care. I looked into both but they won't give me any info until Chewie is a little bit older.

[Patti]

I have VPI on my 3 girls. I don't think it is worth it but I am afraid to cancel now. The premiums go up every year and they don't cover congenital or hereditary conditions. When Pixie had her LP surgery (2500.00) they wouldn't cover it. When Cali had her liver shunt problems they wouldn't cover it. I don' think I have ever submitted a claim on Roxie. My monthly premiums on the 3 is about $90.00. I just know if I cancel now something will come up. It may be ok if you only have one dog but with 3 it hasn't been cost effective.

[yorkiemini]

When I contacted the insurance companies before I chose one, I asked each one to send me a copy of their contract. Only one refused, so I of course immediately decided that company was not for me. I read all the others - specifically heredity, pre- existing conditions etc.

My feeling is if they won't provide you with the contract I would not fool or trust them. The one who would not give me a contract wanted me to sign up first - like I was going to sign on to something I has not read

I chose Healthy Paws, but I think from reading previous pet insurance posts that Pet Plan and Trupanion are petty popular.

I'm sure others will come on and give their version of choices.

I had a dog that had a neuro problem about 8 years ago that cost me $6000 so decided on a saving account and insurance.

[dottiesyrky]

I have Trupanion and have had it for a few years. It is a bit expensive, but the service is great and I'm usually paid in a week. After the first claim when they establish the health of the pet, it has been so easy with never a query over claims. My dog had cataract surgery that has involved continuing follow up visits and meds, but Trupanion has paid up willingly. I pay more in premium as I have no deductible and am paid 90 percent of claim. Another company a friend has and speaks highly of is Pets' Best. I do not know much about it.
I am so glad I have the insurance as the cataract at just over a year in age was a total shock! As dogs get older the possibility of illness gets larger and costly.
It is hard work comparing all the insurances and you have to decide what coverage types you need. I know with Trupanion you can compare it with other companies, and that is helpful.
Good luck, and be careful to read the small print as to what is and is not covered. Also the younger you enroll the pet the better, before he or she gets any health issue and comes under the pre-existing conditions exclusions!

[P-Nut Mom]

I have Trupanion, as they will pay for hereditary conditions and they pay "decent" amounts for those, whereas many other companies don't or have a low max payout limit. Just in January, Mr. P-Nut has already exceeded the deductible for the year by several hundred dollars and they're currently processing my claims, so I'll see how that goes. Communication has been great so far.

[MikaTallulah]

I would just put money aside each month like you were paying a premium for a rainy day.

Works well for me and the furrbutts.

[1kumiko]

I admit I'm somewhat ignorant when it comes to pet insurance, but a 30$/month premium, wouldn't it be better to put money away and just save? Just wondering... Maybe I need to do some math

[P-Nut Mom]

Originally Posted by 1kumiko

I admit I'm somewhat ignorant when it comes to pet insurance, but a 30$/month premium, wouldn't it be better to put money away and just save? Just wondering... Maybe I need to do some math

In some cases, maybe, but in our case that wouldn't have helped much- P-Nut's bills have come to over $5k in the 15 months we've owned him. Unfortunately, I got pet insurance too late to help cover his FHO surgeries, but it is helping with a vaccine reaction he had and gastrointestinal issues. Once it became clear he's very sensitive to nearly everything, I got insurance ASAP.


I should add the $5k is above and beyond regular vet care, neutering, shots, etc.

[Paris Rain]

Originally Posted by P-Nut Mom

I have Trupanion, as they will pay for hereditary conditions and they pay "decent" amounts for those, whereas many other companies don't or have a low max payout limit. Just in January, Mr. P-Nut has already exceeded the deductible for the year by several hundred dollars and they're currently processing my claims, so I'll see how that goes. Communication has been great so far.

Are you paying up front then and getting reimbursed by the company? Or does your vet process the claims?

And regarding saving up money per month - - no way. I'd spend that in a heartbeat.

[P-Nut Mom]

Originally Posted by Paris Rain

Are you paying up front then and getting reimbursed by the company? Or does your vet process the claims?

And regarding saving up money per month - - no way. I'd spend that in a heartbeat.

Paying up front, but vet helps process the claims. The latest one was done in 3 days, I'm happy to report.

[LuvTaycieGirl]

I have Trupanion. And I LOVE it! In October, Taycie was in the ICU for 3 days, had a feed tube placement, and a week later had exploratory surgery, including a biospy of her liver and small intestine. With all her medications, it was 4,800. They cover 90%!

What they cover: 90/10

Hereditary/Congential Defects.. As long as it is not considered pre-exsisting.. Best advice, enroll them as puppies. They younger they are the better.

90% of all Medications, 50% of RX Pet Foods

They also have NO financial Limits, per year, per illness, per pet. It is lifetime coverage.

They do cover hip dyslasia only if, the pet is enrolled in the first year of life.. It is additional fee to the montly premium.. I think its like $3 more a month.. I don't remember I just went ahead and added it.

I also added optional benifits as well.. This, like Hip Dysplasia, coverage is optional.. and to be covered I had to pay an additional $6 a month but she is covered for, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Hydro Therapy..

They DO NOT cover Dentals, or yearly exams, or Heartworm Meds.. They consider that preventative care.. which I can plan for!

It is stuff like what we went through in October that ran us $4800. I wouldn't be in the position to save that much and have it replenished for the next time. Or pay off Care Credit/Credit Card... So that is why I choose insurance.

They also just started Direct Deposit. Now when I submit a claim, I don't have to wait for a check. They just deposit the money back in my bank account. I just recently made a claim for a refill on a perscription. In 24 hours I had the money back in my bank account.

I do pay a higher premium a month because I choose not to have a deductible. But you can choose from 50-1000. For me, I would rather pay a higher monthly premium and get more back.

So far very pleased with my decision so far.. I won't have a pet with out it.

[dottiesyrky]

I agree, TP is GREAT, even if it costs a bit more than average. I too had the zero deductible plan. I took the insurance out early as I was sure my tyke would jump and break his legs! (Very expensive to fix!) But instead he got cataracts at just over a year old. :-(( The surgery and continuing after care/vet and specialist visits/meds have been expensive. TP is so nice and always thanks us for being such good caregivers to our pets. (Unlike human insurers who resent every penny we claim. LOL!) The only thing one has to be aware of is that the deductible, if you have one, is applied per incident - not per year. That is why I got the zero option.
So sorry that Taycie was so sick and hope all is well now.

[Gracye]

I have Trupanion and I love it!! Max got into my medications (they were on my desk and in a basket!!) and I had to rush him to the hospital for an over night stay and they reimbursed me $600 out of a $900 bill!! I was so lucky to have them from day 1

[Buster Brown]

I have Petplan and I love it. I had made 2 payments when Buster was diagnosed with Luxating Patella a knee problem common is small breeds. He has it in both rear legs. We got the surgery for one knee and will do the other in the future. The costs for the orthopedic specialist and surgery was over $4000.00. Petplan paid their percentage less my deductible without any hesitation. I can pay for his insurance for almost ten years and still come out ahead with what I saved. But you must have the insurance before you dog is diagnosed with a problem or it is excluded as a preexisting condition. Even with insurance it is important to have a medical emergency fund because insurance pays you back so you have to have the money initially.
PS It is very important to find out in there is a limit per year or per incident. If it is per year then it resets each year if it is per incident if you use up the money allowed the first year and the problems returns you have used up your funding for that incident/illness/injury. My two choices were Petplan and Trupanion. I liked Petplan because they allow/cover alternative therapies faq from Petplan USA

[Paris Rain]

Wow, thanks so much, Gang. I'll definitely check out Trupanion.