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Pet Insurance??

3K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  krandall 
#1 ·
I know it's a bit late in the game, since Lola has had most of her vaccinations already, but with her spaying surgery coming up with blood work beforehand and the possibility of tooth extractions, I can't help but think of the expense it's going to be. I was hoping to gain some advice from some of you about whether or not you have pet insurance and which one you recommend. Thanks!
 
#3 ·
Linda, thanks for the information and thanks to original poster for asking the question. This is very helpful information. I have been meaning to ask the same question...We are getting a puppy soon and were looking for pet insurance. Few of my friends said just a wellness plan from Petsmart(Banfield) is good enough. But I thought I should get something more (should I?). I started reading reviews of Pet plan they are either very good or very bad. But since we are planning on bringing in a puppy I hope it will work out. If anyone else has any suggestions regarding any other pet insurance plans it will be helpful to know.
 
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#7 ·
Think twice before you get a PetsBest policy!!!:(

Ricky was with PetsBest for years and I referred many people to them. They used to be really good until I got an email stating that PetsBest was now being underwritten by Aetna Insurance Company and Ricky's policy would not be renewed and had to be changed:-(

I quickly called them and was assured that Ricky's policy would not change but I would not be able to get one of their new policies because of his pre-existing conditions. I was never told about an increase in rates.When I viewed my automatic payment on my credit card my premium had gone from $48 to $130 per month.

I called the customer service agent and canceled my policy. I left 2 messages for supervisor but she hasn't returned my call.

I'm furious that they increased my premium amount almost 3 times more then I was paying without being told!!!!! :mad:

Beware that when they change underwriters (which is frequently) you're actually dealing with a totally different insurance company that can change your policy and premiums in a heartbeat :-(

Hi, before you commit to anything, check Pets Best Insurance out. We have lots of plan options to fit peoples' needs and budgets; and we pay claims fast. Wellness plans are good but they don't cover accidents and illnesses which can be very expensive. We also agree that getting pet insurance now while your pet is young and healthy is best. You can learn more information about our dog insurance plans here, http://www.petsbest.com/about-pet-insurance/dog-insurance, or call us at 877-738-7237, or Live Chat with us on our website. We wish you and your pups happy and healthy holidays!
 
#6 ·
There was a recent four part series in the Seattle Times, that explained the ins and outs of choosing a plan. Here are the links:

http://seattletimes.com/html/tailsofseattle/2019664578_shopping_for_pet_insurance_part_1.html

http://seattletimes.com/html/tailsofseattle/2019673126_shopping_for_pet_insurance_part_2.html

http://seattletimes.com/html/tailsofseattle/2019713693_shopping_for_pet_insurance_part_3.html

http://seattletimes.com/html/tailso...shopping_for_pet_insurance_the_hunt_ends.html

I thought is was a really good article. At this point I have decided to bypass getting insurance, due to all of the exclusions and conditions. Time will tell if I've made the right decision. I'm still thinking about it, though.

-- Eileen
 
#9 ·
Hi Rita,

I just got off the phone with the supervisor and she said at the very bottom of that email is a PDF that had the amount on it… I missed it because it was buried at the very bottom of the page that nobody looks at!!

Nevertheless It seems they want to force older dogs with pre-existing conditions off their plan!!

They may sound like they have a great plan but what they don't tell you is with new underwriters that could change in a heartbeat...

Basically once they have you locked into an
insurance policy and you use it due to illness or accident
with new underwriters they can raise your premiums and change your plan to what ever they want... and you're most likely not going to leave because getting a new insurance policies with a dog that has pre-existing conditions is very expensive!!

Because they raised my premiums from $48 to $130 per month
I can no longer afford insurance for Ricky and because of his pre-existing conditions I can't really go anywhere else.:(
 
#10 ·
Tess, is pet insurance really needed? how valuable is it? We still don't have the puppy home (he will be coming end of Feb- right now i get to see his pictures every week :)) I was thinking since he is going to be a brand new puppy and with no pre-existing conditions it will be a smart idea to get one, but now that you mentioned that they may "force" us out once the dog gets older and has health issues, I have second thoughts. What is the point of paying the premiums all along when we cannot use it as they get older?

BTW, I saw Ricky's picture on your profile and I think the puppy we picked will look exactly like him when he grows up...
 
#11 ·
Snadella, those are some of the considerations covered in those articles I posted (see links above). When I get a chance I will re-read them and try to summarize some of the conclusions, but the essence of it is that it's complicated, and there's no way of knowing for sure what will be best for your dog without being able to predict the future. As with all insurance, it's a gamble. I do know that even if you stay insured all along, the premiums become much higher once the dog is old. Anyway... the Times series is very informative, if you care to read it all! :)
-- Eileen
 
#12 ·
Hi Snadella,

Congratulations on your new puppy in advance!!

I totally understand what you're saying but stuff does happen and veterinary expenses are really expensive!!

I have to say that pet insurance has saved me a number of times!! Ricky had 2 ACL surgeries, got into some raisins (that are toxic) and have to be in Emergency intensive care for two days, Sebaceous Adenitis, Interverbral Disc Disease.

So if you do use it it will pay for itself but yes there are consequences...If I had my choice I would still have pet insurance for Ricky!!
 
#13 ·
I had been putting off getting pet insurance for Quincy who is now eight months old. I don't know what I was waiting for, to be honest. I decided today that I would get it after reading the post with the links.
Last year we lost our Lhasa, but before he passed away, there were many, many vet bills for surgery, emergency visits, hospital stays, medicine, and more. It took us quite a while to pay off the bills, but we did. I am one of those people who would mortgage my house to make my dog well. Today I enrolled Q in Healthy Paws :) Hopefully we will never need to use it, but knowing firsthand how much the bills can be, I feel better having it just in case. The monthly premium is $35 and change and that's with a $100 deductible and 90% reimbursement. There is also an unlimited lifetime limit and a 15 day waiting period. Doesn't cover vaccines, neuter, etc., but most don't or if they do, they charge extra.
 
#14 ·
I guess it depends on whether you think your dog is likely to have more than $35 x 12 x 15 years or so ($6300) of covered health problems. That is assuming no increase in premiums, which it looks like isn't likely.

We decided that, just as with our horses, we would rather "self insure". That is, we have enough money in the bank that we will take our chance and pay for medical expenses as they come up.

Certainly, if you are one of the unlucky people who gets a dog who needs major surgery, or has an expensive disease that needs ongoing treatment, and you have insurance, you are very happy with it. OTOH, insurance companies are not charities. They are in the business of making money. That means that, playing the averages, there are many dogs who never use anywhere NEAR the amount of money paid in premiums for every dog whose owner gets more paid in medical expenses than they have paid in premiums.

We'd rather have that money sitting in the bank, (or mutual funds, actually) making US money, rather than making an insurance company money. I know some people feel more comfortable having the insurance, but it's not something that people should think they HAVE to have to be a conscientious dog owner. You really have to decide what works better for your own situation.
 
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