question about pet insurance..
 

i hear it mentioned often but have no idea how to go about getting some or at least looking into it.... the more i hear about the expenses of potential puppy health problems the more i think i should get some maybe? any info or thoughts on this? snickers is 3m old so we have lots of things i am sure we will be going to the vet for..getting spayed being one of them
thanks!

This is the website I got from my vet...according to them i would save a lot of money. Especially for teeth cleaning and if something unexpected comes along.

Here is the website:

http://www.petinsurance.com/

I have VPI but I am waiting to see if they pay any of the 1500.00 in claims I recently submitted. My only advice is that if you get it get it early before you incur any expenses or they will rider (exclude) those conditions out. They also don't cover genetic conditions and they rider out hypoglycemia on Cali because she had been treated for it prior to my effective date.

My first Yorkie had severe hypoglycemia problems and seizures until about 3 months old. The vet bills ran close to a $1000!!!! If it covers hypoglycemia it definitely would have been worth it in her case. I know I recently registered a puppy through AKC and was given a 60 day free trial of pet insurance. I think there was a $50 deductible so it didn't cover any vaccinations. I think the majority of problems later in life would probably be genetic and I don't think they cover genetic problems.

A local dog magazine this month suggested that owners instead set up a $25 a month saving account with a return for their pet instead of the insurance.

I got the offer from AKC also, but I'm inclined to agree with the idea of a savings plan also. You may have incurred a lot of bills recently, but then you may go several years with vary little expense. It's a gamble either way.

I'd like to hear from more members to see what their eperiences have been. do they pay for routine care, or just for emergencies?

I Love VPI
 

I also have VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance). The policy has paid for it's self many time over for me. Not only does it cover rutine care like vaccinations, check-up and dental. It also covers blood work, micro chipping and veterinary visits to specialists.

We had a MRI and Spinal Tap done on Jewel. The bill was over $3,000.00 and we received a check from VPI for over $ 1,600.00. In the course of trying to find out what was wrong with Jewel we must have spent close to $4,000.00. I don't know how I could have paid all my bills with out it.

The plan cover ANY veterinary ANY where. The doctor does not need to be on any "list". They also have an option to pay the doctor directly if you have made arrangements with the doctor for them to extend credit for their services.

The amout of the claim reimbursement depends on the treatment. They do not cover medications.

The premium does get higher as the pet ages but they do give mutiple policy discounts.

They do exclude any pre-exitsting conditions so get on the plan early in your babies life. It really pays for new puppies needing vaccinations and spay/neuter.

From reading posts on other treads, some insurance is limited to certain doctors (such as Petsmart) and I haven't heard very good reports on the AKC plan.

Only draw back is YOU have to do all the work. Get the doctor to sign the claim form, fax or mail the claim with a copy of the bill, keep records of the claims you made and follow up on claims that takes a bit longer. We have had claims declined but got them resolved with a phone call.

You also have the option to make monthly installment payments or pay for the full year at once.

Hope this helps you. Sorry I got a little carried away but the website doesn't give you all the little info you probably want to read about.