Pet Insurance

[stltk]

I looked into getting it for my crew through a company called VPI.

But, I ended up not because 3 of 4 of my cats were too old to insure and the other one's premiums were really expensive because they were close to the cut-off age also.

I think if you start them out when they are young puppies or kittens, it was my understanding that the premiums are cheaper. I would probably do it if I got a new pup/kitten in the future. And, they didn't cover anything that would be considered pre-existing like another poster mentioned. I think that if something catastrophic or really bad happened it would be worth it to have.

 

But, I do know people who do have it and love it, esp for the peace of mind. This one you pay upfront and then send in the paperwork for reimbursement. So, might want to find out how the payments work, if you pay first, etc. However, things may have changed & gotten easier since this was a few years ago though.

 

Just my two cents, sorry not much help. I sure hope your pup gets to feeling better & doesn't need to keep going back in to the vet. Poor lil guy.

[MissyR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christi What company do you use? I have a bunch of brochures from various carriers, but have yet to go through them.

We use Presidents Choice Financial offered through Securican. They are great!

[Christi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissyR We use Presidents Choice Financial offered through Securican. They are great!

Thanks much for the info...I'll look them up online today.

[happygilmore]

I looked into it for my dog who had a thyroid issue, a cyst on her neck, chronic ear infections and pee problems and because there are all "pre-existing" she wouldn't be covered. You need to really get it when they are young and have NO health issues. Also, my vet told me that really pet insurance is a reimbursement plan. You pay up front and they give you 80% back! Not 100% that is what they are all like but that is what my vet told me.

[Debs]

We just got our new kitten and are contemplating getting pet insurance for him, since he's new and all (and also thinking of getting it for our dog).

 

There's a number of different companies and a number of different plan types, and it all has me a bit overwhelmed with options.

 

Who has it, and what do you use and what are your thoughts?

 

Our quote is for $50/month for the cat and dog. Our big thing (like any other kind of insurance) is that it's $600 a year, and what if you never use it? With this company (Pc Financial) there is a 20% copay, and a $100 deductable. I don't know if that makes sense at all.

[NaM]

I've never heard of pet insurance. I don't know if I really see the point to be honest, esp if you have a deductable and copay. I'm sure if might come in handy maybe once of twice in the animals life but I don't think that's worth $600 a year.

Just my 2 cents though.

[Erika J]

I know a lot of people who do the banfield (petsmart) insurance and have had good luck with it.

 

We personally have a low cost facilty called planned pethood plus. They so shot clinics so you dont have to pay an office visit and if Otis gets an ear infection the office visit is only 30 and medicine is like 15, So we really spend less than the insurance copay.

[bholthof]

We're also looking into pet insurance - although I don't think it should cost 600 a year!! Thats ridiculous.

 

Have you looked into PetSecure - according to my vet, its the most common one they see. I think its also Canadian. Or there is also Vetinsurance, and Purina PetCare.

 

Those are the ones we are going to be looking at.

[lara&mike]

I have petsecure for my dog. I got it as soon as I got her, which was almost 3 years ago. Sometimes I feel like I'm wasting my money but I went to cancel it and the slick salesperson convinced me to keep it. It started at $36/month and is now $50. I was pretty ticked about that. I mean $50, seriously?? They just got bought out by another company though and added dental so that's how they justified it (not the usual % increase). But once you're in, you start thinking, well, i've put all this in, why don't i just keep it? Plus dental is like $300 so that might pay for itself. Prices depend on the type of animal and breed, due to their predisposed conditions. I used it when i spayed and microchipped her, also got blood tests and vax (first year). That pretty much paid for itself the first year (well 3/4). Last year i only used it 1x, and nothing this year...will likely go get her teeth cleaned. In the end i think of it as any other insurance. It depends on how much your animal is worth to you. If something happened and they needed treatment for $3K, do u have that, would you come up with it? If you have it and are willing to spend it, then maybe you dont need the insurance. I kind of feel this way. I would spend thousands to make her better...pple think im crazy, but shes our baby (well, first..now we have a real one!). However, i also like the peace of mind to know i can do whatever is necessary for her. Anyway....long post, but i think it's ultimately a financial decision. Vet bills are costly but are necessary if you really care for your animal. Even if you put away that $50 and something happend next year that required $$ surgery, you may not have enough. You can also find ways of spending it too...like extra special laser surgery (for spay/neuter), dental, etc.

 

Oh, and I have a mid range plan, so there is cheaper and more expensive. Decide what you are going to use it for and then compare the plan coverages and the different companies. You may just need something basic...anyway...

[budgetjamaicabride]

I had pet insurance for my dog when she was a puppy and I think it was Vet Pet Insurance. I kept it through her first year because it paid a huge portion on all of the puppy appointments, shots, and spaying. It also covered meds when she got sick. Once she was stable adult dog I let it lapse. It would come in handy again later in life when they get expensive again, but we discovered that Care Credit is taken by many specialists if you have to do anything major, so it works out. We had to have majuor surgery on my other dog when he broke his hip. Care Credit, something I had used for my own medical expenses allows you to pay over a period of 6 months to a year without interest.