Pet Insurance

[930LDR]

This one may be a bit out there... but wanted to see what types of Pet Insurance Policies you guys (and gals) my be using to insulate yourself from unexpected vet bills.

Personally I have Petsbest for my 2yr old Collie/Shepard mix.

When I got it I tried to do some research on which carrier was better but there really isn't much out there to look at.

If you've had direct experience with any please post.

[Sonic dB]

I dont have it but wish I did. I would recommend getting it, especially if the coverage lasts for their lifetime regardless of age. I could not get it, because by the time I looked into it both pets were too old to qualify.

In the past 3.5 years, Ive probably spent $5000 on a cat who has diabetes...and the other cat just got diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism and Im taking him in for Nuclear treatment next week, which will have a total cost of about $1500 including all tests.

Im not complaing cause they are totally worth it...but financially sensitive side of me wishes there was a better way to do it.

Wish I could help you with a recommendation, but I cant other than bumping this thread up to the top.

[ChrisBennet]

If you are real attached to your pets it makes sense. Our last big bill was $5000 - luckily we had pet insurance so we only paid a $1500 deductible.
-Chris

[Gooch1971]

My Jack-Russel will be going in for his 2nd ACL knee surgery next week (1st was last March). Sure wish we had insurance on him.

[96740]

I've tried it. The amount of coverage they pay out is a joke. One of my two German Shepard's needed an ACL repair. The operation was around $2k. They covered $200.00. He ended up needing the other one done a few weeks after the first. ( The strain put on the un-injured leg did it in too.) So they paid me $400.00 for over $4,000.00 worth of vet bills.

We told them to FU#! OFF and just put the money we were paying in premiums into a separate savings for animal care and that worked out much better.

Don't waste your money.

[Don Plumley]

We use QuickCare and have had good experience with payment of claims. The vet has to submit the bills very carefully, but so far it has worked well for us.

[HarryD]

We bought insureance for our Golden Retreiver (1 1/2 yrs old now) and so far it seems to be an ok deal. We used: http://www.petinsurance.com/

[RickM]

This question might be best posed to your vet. They will tell you who they work with and which carrier offers the best coverage.

[aigel]

I have shopped for pet insurance and found it all but useless. The deductible is high and it caps out at a pretty low coverage. Yes, a few grand at the vet hurt, but its no catastrophe. Pet insurance is right in there with extended warranties for vehicles, consumer electronics and full coverage on a 5000 dollar beater car. You cover yourself for a pretty low financial risk and spend money on premiums that you otherwise would have saved.

George

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by aigel

I have shopped for pet insurance and found it all but useless. The deductible is high and it caps out at a pretty low coverage. Yes, a few grand at the vet hurt, but its no catastrophe. Pet insurance is right in there with extended warranties for vehicles, consumer electronics and full coverage on a 5000 dollar beater car. You cover yourself for a pretty low financial risk and spend money on premiums that you otherwise would have saved.

George

George,

I considered your position when I purchased my insurance for Maggie, but like children, puppies tend to get into things they shouldn't be in and bad outcomes are not that unusual. So far, I am breaking even or am slightly ahead with my insurance but as she gets into the middle ages, I need to re think if I still need it. I do not have coverage for routine things (check ups, shots etc), it is basically and accidenpolicy to help me even my cash flow.

[930LDR]

ChrisBennet - What carrier do you use?

For those that were denied coverage which carriers were you using?

[ChrisBennet]

Originally Posted by 930LDR

ChrisBennet - What carrier do you use?

For those that were denied coverage which carriers were you using?

I'll have to check when I get home.
-Chris

[legion]

Originally Posted by aigel

I have shopped for pet insurance and found it all but useless. The deductible is high and it caps out at a pretty low coverage. Yes, a few grand at the vet hurt, but its no catastrophe. Pet insurance is right in there with extended warranties for vehicles, consumer electronics and full coverage on a 5000 dollar beater car. You cover yourself for a pretty low financial risk and spend money on premiums that you otherwise would have saved.

George

That's my take on it.

[Scott R]

I have VPI, the platinum level, they pay for everything and it's no hassle. We lost our last lab to Addisons disease which was mis-diagnosed for two years, she lived to be three. The injections she needed were almost 400/mo including about 12k in vet bills that we had. VPI payed for all but about $500 in the end. We have the same plan for black lab as well.

[NICKG]

Originally Posted by Scott R

I have VPI, the platinum level, they pay for everything and it's no hassle. We lost our last lab to Addisons disease which was mis-diagnosed for two years, she lived to be three. The injections she needed were almost 400/mo including about 12k in vet bills that we had. VPI payed for all but about $500 in the end. We have the same plan for black lab as well.

i have VPI as well on both my cats, they have an insurance cards like i do...my vet takes the insurance and i have a co pay..just like i do....to me the 60 it costs a month for both (total) is well worth it.
My 1 cat had a siezure and was in critical care for 2 weeks...cost me $200, the bill was in the thousands...
later she blew out an anal gland...again covered , $25 deductible. Bill was like $375.
we get wellness benefits like shots and a free yearly exam.
Dogs cost more than cats...and the cats are costed besed on breed and whether they were strays