should i buy a pet health insurance ? Which one though?

[tali]

all confused any help will be appreciated. He is 16 months thnaks god no problems since day one!!!!

[BostonRott]

I personally think it's a waste of money. Most of them are $20-40/mo. I don't spend $500 per dog at the vet each year, or at least not on stuff they cover (they don't cover chiropractic or repro stuff, or OFA filims).

[Burnsway]

I agree with Bostonrott. I have always felt that it was kinda a waste too. I know it has helped some but remember insurance is a business not a charity and if they were not receiving more then handing out they wouldn't offer it.

Take that 20-40 a month and stick it in the bank, then if or when something happens you have your own insurance.......

[carolynnl4]

I made a table last year when considering insurance for my dog. This is the plan I chose for my (now) 2 year old female rottweiler with 2 past surgeries:

Pets Health Care Plan
Basic Coverage: $15.27/month
Covers: Drugs prescribed by a veterinarian, X-Rays, diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests, Surgery-even Spay and Neuter, Hospitalization while receiving treatment, Euthanasia when required for humane reasons, Dental services associated with an injury or illness.

Maximum benefits:
$1500 per incident
$8,000 per year

Applies to all plans:
Pays 80% of vet bills.
Annual deductible of $100. No per incident charge!

Does not include: Illness coverage begins 30 days after policy effective date, pre-existing illness or injury prior to effective date unless 180 days since last treatment, special diets, behavioral problems, costs of breeding, pregnancy, grooming and/or supplies, experimental procedures, organ transplants, elective procedures such as docking of tails, cropping of ears, removal of dewclaws, time and travel to veterinary hospital, disorders present at birth, vaccinations (except as mentioned), dental cleaning or services (except as mentioned), health certificates or vaccination tags unless given in association with preventive care(value and choice care plans).


Let me know if you want my information on their "value" or "choice" plan, VPI, Pet Assure, or PetCare Insurance.

[BostonRott]

Originally Posted by carolynnl4

Does not include: disorders present at birth,

This is a HUGE loop hole. Is dysplasia present at birth? Is elbow dysplasia? The genes certainly are......I see many companies skating out of expensive repairs based on this clause. This also means that things like PDA and other congenital cardiac disorders will not be covered. OUCH!

Another issue that is becoming very common is "sports injuries." I.e. my dogs compete in agility, one tore a CCL (not during training or competition), and from what I've heard from friends in the sport who do carry insurance, they are still having to pay for the repairs themselves. So not only are you hit with a $2500 bill for TPLO, but you've also paid $200 per year (x how many years??) for insurance that won't cover the repair.

[Karyn]

Last year I spent $9,352 in vet bills out of pocket. I used mortgage money, car payment money, household money - it didn't matter. I self destroyed financially. Winston has medical insurance. I pay $34 per month -it covers MRI, CT, cancer, blood transfusions etc. Most of us will not put the $34 each month in the bank. When disaster strikes - it strikes with a vengence. It will not happen again. I gladly pay the $34 per month but know that Winston is safe.

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally Posted by Karyn

Last year I spent $9,352 in vet bills out of pocket. I used mortgage money, car payment money, household money - it didn't matter. I self destroyed financially. Winston has medical insurance. I pay $34 per month -it covers MRI, CT, cancer, blood transfusions etc. Most of us will not put the $34 each month in the bank. When disaster strikes - it strikes with a vengence. It will not happen again. I gladly pay the $34 per month but know that Winston is safe.

Now this is a touchy subject and I do not want to hurt feelings and am absolutely not judging or trying to make anyone feel bad. My apologies if I hurt anyone's feelings.

You spent all of that money and disaster still struck. Having insurance will not keep disaster from striking, it will just decrease the amount of money you expend trying to stave it off. Now, this is just my opinion, but to jeopordize yourself, and possibly your family, financially to try and prolong an older dogs life just doesn't make sense to me. If we are not talking about structural surgery (TPLO, etc.) then I can't see expending thousands of dollars you don't have, or even thousands of dollars you do have, to try and tack on another year of life. Especially when that year may be poor quality for the dog. I guess I am in the minority because I do not think a dog's life must be saved at all costs. I love my dogs as much as anybody (before some knucklehead says I don't ) but I do recognize them for what they are and have learned the hard way that releasing them with dignity is much better than hanging on.

[Denise L.]

A lot of folks on the forum have more than one pet.

So rather than it being a matter of going through extraordinary means for one dog it can be a lot of issues, seemingly managable medically, for a lot of pets. Insurance makes sense for them.

I have all the money I earn teaching my Saturday aerobics class direct deposited into an account specifically for any medical emergencies that may arise rather than insurance.

[Karyn]

It was not just for one dog - I lost three last year. One to a brain tumor, one to auto immune and the other to renal failure - it just all came at once - one after the other. If I had insurance I would not have been putting out $1800 per MRI, $800 per CT scan - etc. It was diagnostic studies - meds and ER bills.

[Karyn]

Steph's dog Roxy got chewed up by a Chow last Friday - ER visit - rabies shots, antibiotic shots, two different antibiotic pills, topical ointment - bandage - $268 - not including follow up visit. Steph did not have the money to put out in one lump sum.

[damp]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lanthier

Especially when that year may be poor quality for the dog. I guess I am in the minority because I do not think a dog's life must be saved at all costs. I love my dogs as much as anybody (before some knucklehead says I don't ) but I do recognize them for what they are and have learned the hard way that releasing them with dignity is much better than hanging on.

Well we are at least two in the minority!

I pay about $ 100 a YEAR for a health insurance. Two different vet visits (injured paw), and I have already earned next years premium and a bit more!

That said I see a BIG problem with health insurance, if we don’t keep in mind that just because the vets can cure nearly everything with modern medical/surgical treatments (in some cases worse than the sickness) and our insurance will pay (or we can afford it) that DOESN'T mean we SHOULD take our dogs through all of that, not even it is possible to save our dogs.
I do believe in many cases people try to save THAT dog they LOVE so much and don’t have the courage to put it down because of self- pity. It becomes toooooo easy to pay for “prolongation of live” at expense of the dog!

Well not my dog!!! So far I have refused surgery and medical treatments for two dogs, even my insurance would have covered the costs. They were both put to sleep.

Treatments should first of all be evaluated regarding to pain, dignity and recovery/quality of life. NO insurance CAN'T PAY for that, and my insurance is ONLY covering the costs I would have had ANYWAY after advising, explanation and discussions of the pro and cons with my vet and last but not least a well-considered talk with my self regarding my ethical beliefs and conscience and what my damn duty is.

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally Posted by Karyn

Steph's dog Roxy got chewed up by a Chow last Friday - ER visit - rabies shots, antibiotic shots, two different antibiotic pills, topical ointment - bandage - $268 - not including follow up visit. Steph did not have the money to put out in one lump sum.

Well, unless pet insurance pays for this what does it have to do with the conversation. And I didn't say I wouldn't go into debt to fix my dog, I said I would not disable myself financially to prolong my dog's, especially an older dog's, life.

Did she report the chow? Tell her I'm sorry to hear about this.

[Karyn]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lanthier

Well, unless pet insurance pays for this what does it have to do with the conversation. And I didn't say I wouldn't go into debt to fix my dog, I said I would not disable myself financially to prolong my dog's, especially an older dog's, life.

Did she report the chow? Tell her I'm sorry to hear about this.

The point is - you never know when something unexpected will happen - if she had insurance she would not be in this mess! The insurance would have covered a considerable amount.

[Cookie654321]

I recently purchased a great insurance. It covers everything and I mean everything. Even things that were present at birth. They pay out a 100% after the $50 deductible. www.petcareinsurance.com/

[macho rottie]

I just looked it up for a Canadian quote...
MasterCare Premier 100% Coverage Option For Dogs
"Head-to-Tail" coverage that is Ideal for those who want the finest possible protection for their pets. MasterCare 100% is comprehensive coverage for over 6,000 accidents and illnesses, providing 100% illness coverage, up to $ 7,000, with no deductible and no co-insurance. Accident coverage is $ 6,500 coverage per accident, unlimited incidents ($75 deductible). To receive MasterCare 100% Coverage you must have purchased this coverage before your pet reaches the age of 8 (6 for ´select breeds´).

Monthly Premium: $70.95
Select Breeds Monthly Premium: $84.95

Of course rottweilers are "a select breed"

Quote Summary Information

Below is a summary of the program(s) you have chosen for your pet(s). To edit program type, pet information or remove a pet from the list, click on the appropriate button (link) found on the right hand side of the summary.

Pet Name Pet Type Breed Select Breed Program Type Monthly
Premium
tank Dog Rottweiler Select Breed MasterCare Premiere 100% Coverage $84.95
* Click here to see a list of available discounts.

NOTES:
There is a onetime $12.00 setup fee.
Subtotal $84.95
SetUp Fee $12.00
Discount * -$0.00
Total
(First Month) $96.95

Subtotal $84.95
Discount * -$0.00
Total
(Other Months) $84.95