Pet Insurance- yes or no?

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I had PetPlan and recently switched to Healthy Paws bc of how PetPlan hikes up their annual rates SO far, even with no claims. PetPlan, unlike other ins companies, hikes their rates partly based on the pet's age and usage -- other plans do not do this.

I now have ins for all 3 of mine, at about $131 a month.

Here is a consumer review article: Pet Insurance 2013 - Reviewed and Ranked

Are any conditions/incidents you had treated while on the last insurance, considered pre-existing conditions on the new insurance, and therefore excluded?

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by ironmike86

Yeah its unfortunate sometimes. Like I said I've been lucky. I would have paid at least $20k in premiums if I had insurance for my past 2 dogs that lived over 13 yrs without any health problems except old age.

Yes, you have been very lucky indeed! I paid that much this year in vetting so far...probably more. I got to where I stopped counting....depressing. If that continued I would be in the poor house for sure.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

The problem I have now is that some of mine have some pretty expensive conditions that will be considered pre-existing. That does not mean I should not insure, though, because they could tear ligaments...that is always a concern to me since I have dealt with so many and that is a quick $4,500 bill.

I had considered insurance a few months before Teddy was diagnosed with his shunt and wanted to kick myself over that one..his bills were around $8,000 when all was said and done. Then, I had others get sick at the same time..it was hell around here and really broke the bank. So..now I am left wondering if it is worth it...at the time those things were happening, I thought it was. I am afraid to say it won't happen again...just wish I had a crystal ball.haha! It is getting slammed all at once that is bad. I have been thinking about a high deductible with Trupanion .. But I do need to go compare some of those on that link.

I was not aware of caps...I will have to look into Healthy Paws..and also see if Trupanion has a cap.

It's a tough decision bc while you hate to pay out that monthly fee when nothing may go wrong, man, it'd sure be worth it if/when something does go wrong. I really waffled on the decision bc we have money if something did go wrong, but that doesn't mean we'd *prefer* to spend 5k, when insurance would cover it.

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

Are any conditions/incidents you had treated while on the last insurance, considered pre-existing conditions on the new insurance, and therefore excluded?

For Pfeiffer, her claims were related to something that was completely ruled out when she was a puppy (PetPlan paid about 3k worth of claims), so her 'pre-existing' condition can't actually exist her for her, if that makes sense . And other than that, she's had no other probs. For Marcel, his pre-existings were already pre-existings when we signed him up for PetPlan. And for Wylie, this is is first time on Ins bc he has SO many preexistings already, however, the ins will still cover if he gets a new illness or hurts a leg or whatnot.

[hempsteadjb]

I have the Pet Plan Bronze and so far have not used it. I have a $200 deductible and 80% reimbursement. I didn't realize until recently that the $200 is per incident not per year...my premium was $180.73 and I got a $25 gift card for signing up. I adopted a little Maltese and he had eye surgery that cost me over $1000 and his cryptorchidism neuter was over $400...that's when I decided to get the insurance, I call him my little money pit!!! I hope I don't have to use the insurance but feel better that I have it for a major illness.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by hempsteadjb

I have the Pet Plan Bronze and so far have not used it. I have a $200 deductible and 80% reimbursement. I didn't realize until recently that the $200 is per incident not per year...my premium was $180.73 and I got a $25 gift card for signing up. I adopted a little Maltese and he had eye surgery that cost me over $1000 and his cryptorchidism neuter was over $400...that's when I decided to get the insurance, I call him my little money pit!!! I hope I don't have to use the insurance but feel better that I have it for a major illness.

Yes - that's right, I forgot about that! PetPlan has the per incident, while Healthy Paws' deductible is just annual.

Still, I really liked PetPlan for the first couple years - but after they kept hiking my annual rates, it got ridiculous.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

It's a tough decision bc while you hate to pay out that monthly fee when nothing may go wrong, man, it'd sure be worth it if/when something does go wrong. I really waffled on the decision bc we have money if something did go wrong, but that doesn't mean we'd *prefer* to spend 5k, when insurance would cover it.

Indeed...and in my case it was a few thousand for a few all at one time. One incident is one thing...a few quite another.

I am seriously considering it...and praying nothing happens in the meantime.

[sophias mommy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Yes - that's right, I forgot about that! PetPlan has the per incident, while Healthy Paws' deductible is just annual.

Still, I really liked PetPlan for the first couple years - but after they kept hiking my annual rates, it got ridiculous.

I also have Healthy paws and I'm thrilled with their customer service. They do hike the rates up each year, but it's not based on how many incidences there are. Ours went up about 4 bucks per dog.

[Llutz]

I chose the Trupanion (Canada) I pay just over $600 a year and like any other type of insurance, house, car etc I hope I never need it but will sure be glad I have it should the need arrive.

[hollie91999]

I have Trupanion, their rates are very reasonable. I am one to think that I rather have it and not need it versus needing it and not having it.

[Ellie May]

I have Pet Plan for one of the pups. Love. Hoping they don't get crazy with raising rates. We are stuck with them now bc of a major bladder issue that would be preexisting anywhere else. We do a lot of u/a's, cultures, antibiotics, IMS, etc. and they have never refused to pay.

After Ellie having so many issues I would not consider getting a puppy without it. Then I am even more convinced as I see ER fees while shadowing. ER services and specialty vets are not cheap. Many animals are euthanized due to financial concerns. It is not worth it to me to take the risk. Asavings of $500 will cover...near nothing in a true emergency. If you can charge it, great. Without insurance I'd ideally like to be able to comfortably pay/charge $10,000 for the first dog and maybe $5000 for each additional at one time.

Just for a quick reference:
Endoscopy - $1000+
Broken bone - $1000-$5000
Liver shunt - 1800-$5000
AAI surgery - $7000++
Back surgery - $5000-$9000
Ultrasound at IMS - $200-$400
Dental surgery - $500-$2000
Urine culture - $100-$150 (plus u/a, exam, ABs)
Emergency abdominal surgery - $500-$3000+
Pancreatitis hospitalization - up to $1200+ per day
Anal gland removal for chronic infection - $1000
MRI - $1000-$20000

This barely even touches some of what can go wrong.

[The_only_Abu]

Originally Posted by wisteria

I have Healthy Paws for our Bella. I think most of us are on the same page, they are healthy but.......... Friends of our's have "Lucy" and they spent over 5k because she was bitten by a tick and became VERY ill. I just don't want to have to debate over monies if something were to happen.

I am leaning toward healthy paws pet insurance myself. How has your experience been with them? Curious to know.

[yorkiemini]

We have Healthy Paws - fortunately we have never had to use it - but the monthly cost has not gone up in at least two years and that is something to watch for.

[tricia208]

I had ASPCA Insurance on both of my dogs and cancelled it after 12 months for one and two years for the other. It was so difficult to make a claim. There was always some fine print legalease that would lower the reimbursement amount to less than 20% of what I paid. I added up all my vet expenses and the cost of the policy. I did not benefit financially and spent way too much time with the customer service department.

I can see a dog with a catastrophic illness or injury coming out ahead but there is still no guarantee. I would not recommend it to anyone.

This is my opinion only from my personal experiences. (My husband is a lawyer. He made me say that.)

[cindersellie]

Originally Posted by tricia208

I had ASPCA Insurance on both of my dogs and cancelled it after 12 months for one and two years for the other. It was so difficult to make a claim. There was always some fine print legalease that would lower the reimbursement amount to less than 20% of what I paid. I added up all my vet expenses and the cost of the policy. I did not benefit financially and spent way too much time with the customer service department.

I can see a dog with a catastrophic illness or injury coming out ahead but there is still no guarantee. I would not recommend it to anyone.

This is my opinion only from my personal experiences. (My husband is a lawyer. He made me say that.)

LOL!. I have Trupanion now. I can't say how they are, I haven't made a claim yet. Several members said they're good, and cover hereditary illnesses at 90% of the cost. You have to pay for it, then Trupanion sends you 90%. I heard they're fast too. They're so fast at sending the 90% that if you use a credit card, you can pay most of that charge within a month!
I don't think there's a maximum yearly limit on the claims either. They don't have a life time limit of how much money they will reimburse to you. Some companies have those too.
Pet insurance has a lot of stuff to check into. You just have to decide which type of policy you want, and what will fit your needs. Everyone's opinions and experiences really helps when sorting though what's out there for pets.

[kimp5]

I have the akc pet plan just for illness. Its 42.00 a month. (of course she broke her leg BEFORE I got it..)