Insurance

[Josh & Terrie]

Do any of you carry pet insurance? I have checked into it at a few different places.....the story about the rott with hip displasyia whose heartbroken owner couldn't afford the costly operation really touched me. I don't know if we could afford the operation either....hopefully I'll never have to know. I also have a Husky and 3 Manx cats, but the 'multiple pet' discount really doesn't amount to much with the insurance companies I checked with. Just wondering!

Thanks!

[rott60827]

Contact Veterinary Pet Insurance http://www.petinsurance.com/. They are one of the best in the business and do have multi-pet plans.

[Chantal]

I have insurance through premiere pet insurance. I have two female Rotties, one 18 months, and one 8 months. I got the middle plan for the puppy ($200 a year) , and the basic plan ($100 a year) for the 18 month old. You get a 10% discount for each additional pet. I have it automatically deducted from my bank account - $23 a month. I got the middle plan for the puppy because it also included some of the puppy shots. I'll probably drop down to the basic plan soon. All the plans cover spayed and neuturing. Once you reach the $100 deductible, you're reimbursed 80%. Just make sure you fill out the forms correctly, and give a good description of what happened (eg: uti, injury, etc). I got it really, because if something big happens, I will be covered for most of it. My neighbor's dog had to have leg surgery, he's only 3, and it cost $1000. My friend's cat swallowed part of a telephone cord, and that was $1200. I definately think it's worth it!!

[Atti's Mom]

I don't know if there is a PetSmart near you, but the stores that have the Banfield clinic in them offer insurance. I have it for my GSD and already in the last 6 months, have saved over 400.00$$$

That isn't for anything major, only savings in vet bills for regular check-ups, teeth cleaning, shots, etc. It is a pretty decent program! I pay 11.95$ a month and it covers all visits plus it knocks out a huge chunk in shots and if something were to happen to him that he needed emergancy care, his stay wouldn't cost me, and I would save something like 40% on any supplies.

Also, if you have more than one dog, it is actually cheaper because you dont pay as much for the other dogs per month, as you do for the first one. I don't take Atti to them only because we had him first, and the vet we take him to has been his vet since he was 5 weeks old. He knows him and they have a great relationship so I just can't bring myself to make the switch yet!

[KatMc]

I have Premier on my dogs. The original reason I took it out was because Delia was always hurting her ACLS so I knew we would have to have surgery it was only a matter of time. When I checked on them I was most impressed with the fact that I didn't see that many exclusions and Delia's leg problem would be covered so long as she hadn't seen the vet for it in the last 60 days (I think it was 60 days).

I got the Basic on all 3, $1500 limit per injury or sickness, $100 deductible than 80%.

I've only used it once and that was for Delia's battle with IMHA (blood disorder). Her bill was right at $3000, you were supposed to submit the claim within 30 days, I didn't submit mine for at least 60/75 but I sent a cover letter explaining how distraught I was with loosing her, anyway, short answer, they paid within a very reasonable amount of time $1500.

I'll never be without it again.

Kathy

[moondog]

I have a question for those of you who carry pet insurance........

Do they have an age beyond which they decline to insure? I had insurance on our horse but have never had it for a dog. Our horse was insured from the age of 9 and when he reached 16, they would not insure him any more even though we had not filed any claims. Is it the same with dogs?

[JonandMichelle]

Originally posted by moondog
I have a question for those of you who carry pet insurance........

Do they have an age beyond which they decline to insure? I had insurance on our horse but have never had it for a dog. Our horse was insured from the age of 9 and when he reached 16, they would not insure him any more even though we had not filed any claims. Is it the same with dogs?

moondog...not that I am aware of. I know the younger the dog, the cheaper the premiums are. The rates go up as the dog gets older. Your best bet is to get the insurance when the pup is just that, a pup;) Don't quote me, but I also believe as the dog hits the "next" age group, the rates go up a tad bit higher. Not by much though. This also depends on which insurer you go through though too.

[moondog]

Thanks ;)

[moonbeam]

I got coverage for 2 dogs with Veterinary Pet Insurance in September of 1999. In March of 2000 one of my dogs was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in the right front leg. VPI covered the diagnostic visit, surgery, acupuncture, holistic vet visits, etc. They didn't cover supplements (they weren't "prescription drugs"). The cost was huge, something my husband and I would have made ourselves afford, but it wouldn't have been comfortable. Our out of pocket expense was still pretty high, but was relatively low compared to the total bill. We had 8 months of treatment until we lost our dog due to bloat, which they also covered (less deductible). I'm glad I got it when I did and wish I'd had it when our other Rottie had Pancreatitis, which amounted to about $2000 in hospitalization and treatment.

Do your homework and check out all of the plans offered. There are several, and you may not be happy with what the least expensive plans cover.

[joquendo]

check out PetCo Pet Insurance. They cover 100% of claim, hip displaysia - a little more expensive than Premier but well worth it... the only problem is when you have multiple dogs - the monthly premium is expensive...

[joquendo]

check out PetCo Pet Insurance. They cover 100% of claim, hip displaysia - a little more expensive than Premier but well worth it... the only problem is when you have multiple dogs - the monthly premium is expensive...