Pet Insurance

[Llutz]

I know right? It seems pretty high to me too, and that's the middle of the road coverage! A $2500. limit is not very much if Enzo has any major issues requiring Vet services!

I'll hunt a bit more for other Canadian options for him as I do want to get coverage!

[dottiesyrky]

I agree, $600 seems a lot for that relatively low coverage with a $100 deductible. A leg or eye surgery or serious illness for example in the US is over $3000, so $2500 will not cut it.
I thought Trupanion was in Canada too? If so they allow comparison of various companies on the web site. It is very important to compare coverage for a given cost. Like, lifetime coverage limits (non here), how allowable cost is calculated, allowed vets and specialists and hereditary conditions....... ????
Insurance cost depends on start age, breed and pre existing conditions, so perhaps you are high because of these? I know it took a lot of searching to come up with my final decision as all insurance have different rules and coverage. Very confusing.

[AnneJ68]

I went with Embrace Pet Insurance.

Experience Better Pet Insurance with EMBRACE

Thank god I have not had to use it. So I don't know about turn around time. They offer 800 fax number to fax all claims, and if you sign up for direct deposit they will deposit any reimbursement. I believe the advertised turn around time was 2 weeks. (I would think if you have a good relationship with your vet, in a time of need most should be willing to accept partial payment or wait the 2 weeks for reimbursement.) They do prefer to do the paperless thing. But can have mailed claims/checks. Totally up to the insured.

One other thing I thought was good, in cases of extensive treatments, while precert is not required, you can have a certification done from the standpoint of what Embrace will reimburse based on what the vet provides as treatment plan and cost. I think that's good so you know what to expect up front with claim reimbursement.

There is a "healthy pet" discount, where the deductible decreases by $50 for every year a claim is not filed, and yes it can go down to zero. If a claim is filed the deductible is honored for that year and then resets to the full deductible on the renewal, and discounts can be applied all over again.

Hope I never need it but now I have the peace of mind.

[Llutz]

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

I agree, $600 seems a lot for that relatively low coverage with a $100 deductible. A leg or eye surgery or serious illness for example in the US is over $3000, so $2500 will not cut it.
I thought Trupanion was in Canada too? If so they allow comparison of various companies on the web site. It is very important to compare coverage for a given cost. Like, lifetime coverage limits (non here), how allowable cost is calculated, allowed vets and specialists and hereditary conditions....... ????
Insurance cost depends on start age, breed and pre existing conditions, so perhaps you are high because of these? I know it took a lot of searching to come up with my final decision as all insurance have different rules and coverage. Very confusing.

He's 8 months old, no pre existing anything...Unless being a brat counts
I've checked Trupanion in Canada, and premiums are still $600+ a year...Some how Canadian puppies are more expensive to treat?

[SophieKatesMom]

I have VPI for Sophie Kate and so far have been very happy.

[cindersellie]

I have Trupanion, but haven't made a claim yet. I also have some money put aside for Cinders, and a credit card to use just for her. All I can tell you is that once you decide to get insurance, enroll. The younger you get the puppy signed up, the better. That way, if something happens, they won't consider it "pre existing". Pet insurances won't cover an illness if your pet was treated for it before getting insured. Mine will cover hereditary things, that's why I picked it.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Llutz

Any puppy moms in Canada have Pet Insurance?

Trupanion here in Canada is the only pet insurance that will cover genetic defects, and thus gets my vote. But really look at their policy, and understand if you need to pay certain procedures up front, and then wait for re-imbursement.

[Yogi yorkie]

I had never bought pet insurance before but I decided to get it for our Yogi. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I pay 31.00 a month. There is no limit and they pay 90 '/, of actual costs. Yogi was recently very sick, we had bills totaling $5,000. ! We charged it all but the email just came stating we will get back almost $4,000. I had picked a 100 ded and I pay for the office visits but all tests, hospitalization, etc is covered. I have Trupanion.

[dottiesyrky]

I thought Trupanion was in Canada, great! For a young dog with no issues I am surprised the cost is so much. It can be reduced by a higher deductible. I chose a zero deductible and pay more for that, but I feel it is worth it. It is interesting that Trupanion is the only Canadian pet insurance that covers genetic defects. With Yorkies especially there are a few defects such as luxating patellas. They can cost around $3000 per leg. My dog was diagnosed with juvenile cataracts at just over a year old but luckily I had the T insurance. I sure did not expect this hereditary condition to come up. Cost of one eye, $3500 ! By the way paying up front and claiming the money back is no big deal. It usually takes a week or so to process the refund, long before the credit card payment is due. Good luck in whatever you choose.

[gemy]

Our 4 yr old gal, died of cancer, the cost to treat was around $4K. So at 600 per year x 4 yrs old, we would have been ahead financially.

Heartworm positive treatment $2500

DLSS over $10K and still counting.

Oh yes these are Canadian $ and generally reflect meds, specialists, hospitalizations etc.

So there you go; if your dog gets into any serious condition it seems like a baseline is going to run you around $2k or so.

Kind of puts the $600 per year in perspective.

[MomtoJasper]

Its crazy!! What one covers, another may not. I honestly don't know who to go with. So....I'm letting my DH check them all out this weekend and decide. I am grateful there is insurance available for pets though. Wish I had gotten it on my shepherd years ago. *sigh* Live and learn.

[MomtoJasper]

Originally Posted by gemy

Our 4 yr old gal, died of cancer, the cost to treat was around $4K. So at 600 per year x 4 yrs old, we would have been ahead financially.

Heartworm positive treatment $2500

DLSS over $10K and still counting.

Oh yes these are Canadian $ and generally reflect meds, specialists, hospitalizations etc.

So there you go; if your dog gets into any serious condition it seems like a baseline is going to run you around $2k or so.

Kind of puts the $600 per year in perspective.

..

I'm very sorry for the loss of your girl. May she be having fun and be healthy over the Rainbow Bridge.

[Teegy]

Originally Posted by Llutz

Any puppy moms in Canada have Pet Insurance?

I had it for two and a half years and when I had to use it for Teegy and his pancreatitis that's when I saw it wasn't worth it. I had trupanion. So I cancelled and started a tax free savings account for the dogs

[Llutz]

Originally Posted by Teegy

I had it for two and a half years and when I had to use it for Teegy and his pancreatitis that's when I saw it wasn't worth it. I had trupanion. So I cancelled and started a tax free savings account for the dogs

Can you explain why you didn't find it worth it? Were there hidden conditions? Were the limits inadequate? I ask because I'm considering the Trupanion
Thanks

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Teegy

I had it for two and a half years and when I had to use it for Teegy and his pancreatitis that's when I saw it wasn't worth it. I had trupanion. So I cancelled and started a tax free savings account for the dogs

Yes please elaborate Teegy. Also please state what kind of policy you got?

I have a tax free savings account for my dogs too, but with what I've been through the past 7 yrs it is pretty decimated.