Pet Insurance- yes or no?

[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.

[cindersellie]

Very true! I'll be looking at the ones you guys have suggested. I'm going to get one of them this weekend.

[Dbriggs325]

I have VPI for both my Yorkie Puppy and my adult Bull Mastiff. They are great and I got back $650 on a $1000 bill for my BM when she had a nasty vomiting issue. Plus I like that they cover chipping,heartworm meds and $100 towards spaying.

[intilis]

I have Petplan for Phoebe & Stanley. It's been a life saver and has MORE than paid for itself. It covered Stanleys MRI & tests for his seizures last year, and paid for 80% of Phoebes cataract surgery this year. I had to pay 20% because they were both treated by specialists, but it still saved me a of $$!

[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: http://www.topconsumerreviews.com/pet-insurance/

[yorkiemini]

I have Healthy Paws on Cali. Have never had a claim and over the 3 years no increase in price.

[ironmike86]

I'm sure its good for some ppl. But I guess Ive been lucky? In 20yrs of owning dogs my biggest one time Vet bill was ~$350. Maybe $500 for the year. So if I'm paying $100+ in premiums a month or $20 a month but still pay some outta pocket IME it was never worth it. If I had a dog that maybe has some Genetic problems or a high chance then maybe its worth it.

[ladyjane]

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

Thanks for posting this link, Ann. I have been toying with the idea of insurance for a while.

[Stephanie_Chao]

I would most definitely get insurance

I've done alot of research and talked to a veternarian and few of the technician about which one they recommend of insurance I should get for my little girl Alice.

I end up choosing Pets Best Insurance I chose the Best Benefit Level 1 Plan. Reimbursement 80% back and deductable $200. Her monthly payment is around $47 but it is really worth it!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Thanks for posting this link, Ann. I have been toying with the idea of insurance for a while.

I'm not totally sure, but you in particular might like how HealthyPaws doesn't have caps on their incidents (no annual or lifetime caps), so for very sick dogs or dogs with a lot of issues, might be a good one!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I'm not totally sure, but you in particular might like how HealthyPaws doesn't have caps on their incidents (no annual or lifetime caps), so for very sick dogs or dogs with a lot of issues, might be a good one!

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.

[MikaTallulah]

I use a savings account method. I put aside each month at least $25/ furrbutt per month. Most months I put at least $200 aside each month for mine what the premiums would at least be for mine. I would have paid more for Cozy in premiums than her stage 1 cancer treatment cost me. Her cancer treatment was under $1000 and I would have paid $1800 in premiums alone- Not including regular out of pocket vet costs.

[ironmike86]

Originally Posted by MikaTallulah

I use a savings account method. I put aside each month at least $25/ furrbutt per month. Most months I put at least $200 aside each month for mine what the premiums would at least be for mine. I would have paid more for Cozy in premiums than her stage 1 cancer treatment cost me. Her cancer treatment was under $1000 and I would have paid $1800 in premiums alone- Not including regular out of pocket vet costs.

Yup I just have the $$. Saving it works better if you have a healthy dog. But if you are unlucky enough to get one thats not healthy. Insurance maybe the way to go.

[ladyjane]

It may be because of my numbers...who knows. I guess with each one the risk of a problem increases. My pups were always healthy and then it seems all hell broke loose. In the past couple of years I have been so slammed. Of course I did make it through it all, but I would so loved to have had insurance. I also wonder if it is worth it to pay those premiums and it is why I have drug my feet for so long. If you put money away and let it collect interest, it can add up...BUT if you cannot get it up to a decent amount and two get sick at one time, it can hurt. Just ask me. haha

[ironmike86]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

It may be because of my numbers...who knows. I guess with each one the risk of a problem increases. My pups were always healthy and then it seems all hell broke loose. In the past couple of years I have been so slammed. Of course I did make it through it all, but I would so loved to have had insurance. I also wonder if it is worth it to pay those premiums and it is why I have drug my feet for so long. If you put money away and let it collect interest, it can add up...BUT if you cannot get it up to a decent amount and two get sick at one time, it can hurt. Just ask me. haha

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.