Pet Health Insurance

[Michele Baxter]

I'm curious--do any of you have pet health insurance? And if so, have you used it? Do you think it is worth the yearly premium? I just purchased a plan for my oldest. I chose the cancer benefits, and routine care options. Overall, it is costing approx. $20 per month. If the vet bill is over $180 it pays 100%. We all know how easy it is to get over $180 at the vet's! $40 deductible The routine care option allows for yearly teeth cleaning, vaccinations, flea treatments/heartworm testing and preventative. It will cover spay/neuter also--but he's already neutered. Once yearly, office visit, complete physical--EKG, blood panel, urinalysis, etc. I thought it was worth it, but wanted some first-hand input.
FYI-it doesn't cover hereditary conditions.

[Silver]

I think it is totally worth it. Like you said it's easy to rack up the bill. And anything that could help offset those bills i think is a great idea, I'm glad they have it available

I have Veterinary Pet Insurance right now. I had already joined and then I found out they didn't carry hereditary, but that they might sometime soon.

I had joined just in time for Ozzy's neutering. I sent the forms in and now am waiting for the reimbursement. I heard they were pretty good from another post.

The one I found on the internet that does carry hereditary insurance is PetHealth Plus. So I'll wait a little and see what happens with VPI, if they include it or not, if not by my renewal then I'll change.

Which one do you have?

[laurlitt]

I have VPI as well. I had the routine care the first year but I don't carry it anymore. I think that is not worth the extra $100 a year. It's great if you need to spay/neuter, but the other stuff doesn't come to $100 per year. We clean our own dog's teeth and don't need to do blood panels on a yearly basis.

As for the remaining part of the policy, it seems that we probably break even. But we have the policy in the event something major happens (that's what insurance is for!) For example, I haven't used my Life Insurance Policy yet, but I keep getting it every year

I pay 36 a month for two young dogs.

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Laurie & Blaise
(Los Angeles)

[Hope]

I think that health insurance is great. I just got it on my pup, but have not used it yet. You can't be too surprised about the hereditary thing, I mean really, most health insurance for humans won't cover pre-existing problems. At least these insurance companies cover pre-existings issue if some time has elapsed, and better yet, you are covered no matter where you go. Crap, I wish I were a dog, my health insurance is crap compared to my dog's.

Scary country isn't it, our dogs have a better chance of being insured and staying insured than we do as human beings. Sometimes you have to wonder.

[Judy Chrusch]

Hi Michele, it's funny you mentioned that because I was inquiring about that very thing yesterday. I went into pet insurance on the computer though didn't know what the price was. We're seriously thinking about it. IMO it's a necessity when they get older. We wish we had it for Ceasar with the large bill we had. Something to think about that's for sure. Thanks.

Judy

[ebony]

Michele,

I have Veterinary pet insurance on both my girls. They do not cover congenital defects. Meaning in our beloved breed dysplasia would not be covered. My 7 year old had spinal surgery done. The bill was 3000.00 dollars the insurance company covered 1600.00 of it. I pay 185.00 a year for my 7 year old and I believe 150.00 for my 11 month old.

I think it is Sarasmom on the board here who has done research and found a insurance company that includes congenital defects in dogs. It called Preferred Pet Health. I will be looking into them when my policy is up with my current insurer. Veterinary Health more than paid for itself with my Eddie's surgery.

My 11month old broke her toe when she was about 7 months old the bill was 240.00 and the insurance company paid 80.00 of that claim. I hope this helps. I definitely think it is well worth it to get insurance on you dog or cat.

[Michele Baxter]

I'm glad to see all these very informative replies! I feel I've made the right choice. I purchased the VPI plan. With the numerous things that Moe has been through (BIG sigh!) you can never have too much insurance. He takes numerous supplements and Rimadyl for his arthritis--so a yearly blood panel is necessary. And I like having his teeth cleaned, because when he's out I have them quick his nails so we don't have to battle with those nail trimmings! By my calculations I figure we would at least break even if not come out ahead. Thanks for all the information.

[Toscani]

What insurance companies is everyone using?

[SarasMom]

I got Preferred PetHealth Plus insurance on my new pup when I got him back in April. I thought the cost was very reasonable, and it does cover hereditary conditions such as HD and ED. I chose to raise the lifetime limit, and added the routine wellness coverage, and the cost is about $180/yr. But, the routine coverage part pays 50% of shots, heartworm preventive, etc, up to a max of $50 per year. This brings the real cost of the insurance down to $130 per year.
I had to use the coverage already. Of course for the routine stuff, and also, at 6 months old, Marshall had to have surgery to remove a skin tumor from his back. Thankfully, the tumor was benign.
Vet care is relatively cheap here. The surgery and everything was only $155. The insurance paid all but $40 of it.
With this company, if you have any claim up to $200, you pay the first $40, then they pay the rest. For claims over $200, you pay a once per year $200 deductible, then they pay %80 of the rest. (If I remember right) LOL
I've been happy with this company sofar, and plan to get my two older Rotties insured soon. Hope this helps.

[Silver]

FYI - VPI is planning on adding a congenital/hereditary policy in early 2001. I found that in the FAQ. They have a feature on the site that will notify you of the change via e-mail.

[laurlitt]

Originally posted by SarasMom:

With this company, if you have any claim up to $200, you pay the first $40, then they pay the rest. For claims over $200, you pay a once per year $200 deductible, then they pay %80 of the rest.

I remembering reading that as well. Actually that bothered me a bit b/c what if you only have 1 incident happen and it costs $210. You'd pay the first $200 and they'd cover $10. However if the incident only cost $199 you'd only have to pay $40. That's a bit too risky for me b/c most procedures fall within the $100-$300 range. I think this might be where they make some of their money back. Of course if you have a very expensive procedure this $200 deductible is nice!



[This message has been edited by laurlitt (edited November 06, 2000).]

[Rottiegirl]

I have been seriously thinking of getting the Pet Insurance also. I have the 3 dogs and the vet bills are alot just for the routine care that they get each year!!! I wish I had it for my Springer she has been to the vets office so much, I should have taken stock in them . She had a broken leg in 4 places(jumping off the deck) , she had Pyometra(needed an Emerg. Spaying) and as if that was not enough she has just gotten over having Pancreatitis...need I say more...Poor Brandy. The vet costs of all this was over $2000.00. I wish I had the coverage..it would have helped alot!!!!! So, I'm going to get the Insurance for the other 2. The Rottie is only 16 months old and the Brittany is 3 yrs. old, so I think it be a GOOD idea ...

[kleberme]

I wish I had had insurance on my Dudley. He also suffered from pancreatius but did not survive. It was very severe and took him from us in less than a week. The vet bill was over 2600.. Just a warning to everyone, please be sure to monitor your dogs diet and keep tham away from the trash. My vet said Rotties are very prone to pancreatius especially if they have a high fat diet or eats something that does not digest. It hashigher than an 80% fatality rate. Dudly got into the trash and ate the plastic /paper liner from the bottom of a chicken wrapper. Dudley would have been only 8 in Feb.. My family is broken hearted at the lost of a family member. When your dog is sick, you will pay what it takes to try to make them better. Insurance could have helped ease the addition finacial strain.