Pet Insurance- yes or no?

[Micah my love]

I have never had ins. on any of mine, but i do keep a CC that is only to be used for them just in case, so far i have only had to use it one time for Micah and that was three years ago..I pay out of pocket for routine vet visits

[cindersellie]

I didn't even consider talking to the vet. I love the recieptionist there. She has a wealth of knowledge that is just short of what I've found here on YT. Idk if I'd stay with the vet if she left-lol! I'm going to call them this week about teeth and spaying. Thanks for the heads up! I'll ask what insurance they recommend!

[cindersellie]

Originally Posted by Micah my love

I have never had ins. on any of mine, but i do keep a CC that is only to be used for them just in case, so far i have only had to use it one time for Micah and that was three years ago..I pay out of pocket for routine vet visits

I never had insurance on my mini schnauzers, but this one isn't a schnauzer! She 's WAY different! Even though both breeds are terriers, they are not even close to being the same. I'm hoping she stays healthy, but from what I've read here on YT about different hereditary issues that can pop up, I just want to make sure I don't have to decide if we can afford what she needs.

I'm pretty sure I want to get insurance. I just need to find the right one. I'm going to keep searching through different plans and post links if they seem reasonable- cost wise and coverage.

[Teresiana]

Originally Posted by cindersellie

I didn't even consider talking to the vet. I love the recieptionist there. She has a wealth of knowledge that is just short of what I've found here on YT. Idk if I'd stay with the vet if she left-lol! I'm going to call them this week about teeth and spaying. Thanks for the heads up! I'll ask what insurance they recommend!

I love my receptionist too! And she basically explained to me how my top 3 choices worked, who approves the most claims, issues they've had in the past with certain companies...plus, she knows my pups & has a pretty good idea of what claims I'll be submitting in the future. I ended up going with her recommendation. And so far...so good

[gemy]

There is another thread on here about Insurance Plans. There were a few different companies talked about. Also in the library there is an article on insurance

Some of the areas you need to be interested in are:

1) Will this insurance cover all genetic conditions? Including LP,heart, thyroid,CT,Liver Diseases, bladder and or kidney diseases?

2) Are the costs of lifelong meds covered - think meds for heart conditions or diabetes,or eye conditions.

3) Is there a lifelong ceiling limit?

4) A limit per condition diagnosed? - either annual limit or lifetime limit?

5) A disqualification for pre existing conditions?

6) Premium rate protection - ie my rates won't go up based on claims experienced?

I have self insured for years, but with my next puppy I will get pet insurance.
Trupanion here in Canada is the only carrier that covers genetic conditions.

[cindersellie]

Originally Posted by Teresiana

I love my receptionist too! And she basically explained to me how my top 3 choices worked, who approves the most claims, issues they've had in the past with certain companies...plus, she knows my pups & has a pretty good idea of what claims I'll be submitting in the future. I ended up going with her recommendation. And so far...so good

Thanks for the support with asking the recieptionist. Recieptionists seem to be the key to a nice vet. I've been to other vets and the recieptionist looked like I was talking in another language when I'd ask a question, and the vet wasn't people friendly-lol, good with my dogs, but not me. So we left and found a nicer place

[cindersellie]

Originally Posted by gemy

There is another thread on here about Insurance Plans. There were a few different companies talked about. Also in the library there is an article on insurance

Some of the areas you need to be interested in are:

1) Will this insurance cover all genetic conditions? Including LP,heart, thyroid,CT,Liver Diseases, bladder and or kidney diseases?

2) Are the costs of lifelong meds covered - think meds for heart conditions or diabetes,or eye conditions.

3) Is there a lifelong ceiling limit?

4) A limit per condition diagnosed? - either annual limit or lifetime limit?

5) A disqualification for pre existing conditions?

6) Premium rate protection - ie my rates won't go up based on claims experienced?

I have self insured for years, but with my next puppy I will get pet insurance.
Trupanion here in Canada is the only carrier that covers genetic conditions.

Thanks Gemy! I saw some of those factors when I really started comparing the plans. I Liked the VPI plan so far because hereditary conditions were listed. Soo much to look into, but I think it's worth the time it takes.

I didn't know there another thread about this on YT. I'll check that too. Thanks for the info!! Very helpful!

[KazzyK810]

I've never had insurance. I've heard too many stories about things not being covered, limits, & premium increases.

I have a CD for ZoE that will cover her medical costs while she's with me, and should anything happen to me, all her costs will still be covered for her life. Both my kids were in their early years of college when I got ZoE & I didn't think it was fair to saddle them with the cost of her upkeep should anything happen to me.

[cindersellie]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

I've never had insurance. I've heard too many stories about things not being covered, limits, & premium increases.

I have a CD for ZoE that will cover her medical costs while she's with me, and should anything happen to me, all her costs will still be covered for her life. Both my kids were in their early years of college when I got ZoE & I didn't think it was fair to saddle them with the cost of her upkeep should anything happen to me.

I know, right? The things I've read here... That's what started me thinking about insurance. I didn't think about some other family member taking her if something happens to us! I'm going to continue to save once I get the insurance, so she'll have a nest egg if something does happen to us.

[MishyMish]

I was contemplating the same thing for when I get my furball. From what I see, Trupanion seems to be the most comprehensive. They offer coverage for things the others do not. They also cover 90% of the bills. They also do not have a yearly capout like some of the others. I don't know all the ins and outs, but they seem to be one of the best.

[Ellie May]

Depends on your financial state. If you can charge up to seven or eight grand and be ok paying it off (for a major incident), then insurance may not be necessary. Times that by however many pets you have.

if you would need to be reimbursed after fronting that amount of money then get insurance.

I narrowed it down to Embrace, PetPlan, and Trupanion when purchasing. Tossed Trupanion out immediately. Then tossed Embrace out hecause they were going to charge too much or a young dog. Ended up with PP. Very happy, but it is not cheap.

I would not have a dog without insurance again.

[cindersellie]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Depends on your financial state. If you can charge up to seven or eight grand and be ok paying it off (for a major incident), then insurance may not be necessary. Times that by however many pets you have.

if you would need to be reimbursed after fronting that amount of money then get insurance.

I narrowed it down to Embrace, PetPlan, and Trupanion when purchasing. Tossed Trupanion out immediately. Then tossed Embrace out hecause they were going to charge too much or a young dog. Ended up with PP. Very happy, but it is not cheap.

I would not have a dog without insurance again.

Thanks! That's what I was thinking, thousands of dollars could be saved if I get insurance. I'll look into PP

[cindersellie]

Originally Posted by MishyMish

I was contemplating the same thing for when I get my furball. From what I see, Trupanion seems to be the most comprehensive. They offer coverage for things the others do not. They also cover 90% of the bills. They also do not have a yearly capout like some of the others. I don't know all the ins and outs, but they seem to be one of the best.

I'll look into that too... There's soo many and they all cover different things. Thanks for your suggestion

[LuvTaycieGirl]

Insurance has saved my life.. and Taycie's.

In October, between, x-rays, ultrasounds, biopsy of small intestine, liver, specialty care, 3 days in Intensive Care, Feeding Tube placement, meds.. came to 4,800.

There really would be no way for me, to have that amount saved.. drained and replenished again.. I just simply am not in that financial position. I have Care Credit, Credit cards for her care... there is no way I could pay that big chunk off in a decent amount of time before our next incident..

Insurance has been a blessing. I think the key to remember with insurance is start when they are YOUNG!... Taycie has been insured since she was 5 months old... so as a result we have no pre-exsistings.

We have Trupanion.. No lifetime limit.. they cover hereditary and congenital diseases.

For us.. Insurance is a must.

[Teresiana]

Ask your vet if he can give you a Trupanion trial. I did that for one month. It's free & you can submit claims during the trial process. I ended up receiving over $300 from them! It's like free money After the trial, you can decide whether or not you want to stay with Trupanion or choose another company.