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I've been debating about getting pet insurance. I've been doing a lot of research into the various plans out there and what has been recommended and highly rated by consumers. I can't even make up my mind if it is worth the monthly expense, or if I should just continue to put away money into a monthly "just in case" account. I think if I go with a plan, it will be with Trupanion, but I'm still curious what others use. What plans do you have experience with? How much do you pay a month and how much are your deductibles? What are your recommendations? I know most people who have had to deal with broken legs and luxating patellas etc... will say it has been more than worth it. I'm willing to do anything for Spirit, to ensure that she's happy and healthy, but in the long run is it worth it to have the pet insurance or to just save up and pay out of pocket when/if something comes up?
Thank you in advance for any advice!!
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Pet Insurance What are your experiences with pet insurance?
MultiQuote
#3
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Posted 30 July 2010 - 01:04 PM
I used to have ASPCA and they paid 80% of their interpretation of "reasonable and customary" fees.
As an example, an emergency visit around here at about $150, and that got translated by ASPCA as $81 for a "reasonable and customary" fee (even after when I contested it showing them that all 3 emergency vets in my area, in a one hour drive radius all charged around $150, they would not budge, nor explain how they arrived at that low figure). Using their low base of $81, then they paid 80% of the $81. Ditto for all the other charges submitted. Bottom line was a very low payout, so now I signed up with Pet's Best. Pet's Best pays a straight 80% of your vet's charges - not what they think is "reasonable and customary". I really like the concept of a straight 80%, it does make a huge difference!
Pet's Best has several plan "levels" differing in what they cover. When I looked at the "high end" plan, it included a spay/neuter. So while more expensive that option may work really well for some folks. You could then downgrade after year one. So do have a careful look at the options, with all that in mind.
Here is their link:
https://www.petsbest...px?CI=PH2765616
As an example, an emergency visit around here at about $150, and that got translated by ASPCA as $81 for a "reasonable and customary" fee (even after when I contested it showing them that all 3 emergency vets in my area, in a one hour drive radius all charged around $150, they would not budge, nor explain how they arrived at that low figure). Using their low base of $81, then they paid 80% of the $81. Ditto for all the other charges submitted. Bottom line was a very low payout, so now I signed up with Pet's Best. Pet's Best pays a straight 80% of your vet's charges - not what they think is "reasonable and customary". I really like the concept of a straight 80%, it does make a huge difference!
Pet's Best has several plan "levels" differing in what they cover. When I looked at the "high end" plan, it included a spay/neuter. So while more expensive that option may work really well for some folks. You could then downgrade after year one. So do have a careful look at the options, with all that in mind.
Here is their link:
https://www.petsbest...px?CI=PH2765616
Donna
#4
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- Group: Members
- Posts: 24
- Joined: 18-August 09
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Posted 02 August 2010 - 02:18 PM
Lettra, on 30 July 2010 - 01:04 PM, said:
I used to have ASPCA and they paid 80% of their interpretation of "reasonable and customary" fees.
As an example, an emergency visit around here at about $150, and that got translated by ASPCA as $81 for a "reasonable and customary" fee (even after when I contested it showing them that all 3 emergency vets in my area, in a one hour drive radius all charged around $150, they would not budge, nor explain how they arrived at that low figure). Using their low base of $81, then they paid 80% of the $81. Ditto for all the other charges submitted. Bottom line was a very low payout, so now I signed up with Pet's Best. Pet's Best pays a straight 80% of your vet's charges - not what they think is "reasonable and customary". I really like the concept of a straight 80%, it does make a huge difference!
Pet's Best has several plan "levels" differing in what they cover. When I looked at the "high end" plan, it included a spay/neuter. So while more expensive that option may work really well for some folks. You could then downgrade after year one. So do have a careful look at the options, with all that in mind.
Here is their link:
https://www.petsbest...px?CI=PH2765616
As an example, an emergency visit around here at about $150, and that got translated by ASPCA as $81 for a "reasonable and customary" fee (even after when I contested it showing them that all 3 emergency vets in my area, in a one hour drive radius all charged around $150, they would not budge, nor explain how they arrived at that low figure). Using their low base of $81, then they paid 80% of the $81. Ditto for all the other charges submitted. Bottom line was a very low payout, so now I signed up with Pet's Best. Pet's Best pays a straight 80% of your vet's charges - not what they think is "reasonable and customary". I really like the concept of a straight 80%, it does make a huge difference!
Pet's Best has several plan "levels" differing in what they cover. When I looked at the "high end" plan, it included a spay/neuter. So while more expensive that option may work really well for some folks. You could then downgrade after year one. So do have a careful look at the options, with all that in mind.
Here is their link:
https://www.petsbest...px?CI=PH2765616
Thanks for this great info!!! I'll def be looking into it
#5
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- Location:Adelaide, South Australia
Posted 12 August 2010 - 05:09 AM
I had the same thoughts when we got our IG, Dante.
Being in Australia, we went with Pet Plan for insurance. They have three different levels of insurance and we took out the top cover at around $500/year. Their top cover pays up to $18,000 per year for vet bills, and even pays for extras like boarding kennel fees (if you're hospitalised, they pay for your dog to be looked after), reward fees (to be offered to the public if you lose your dog), and even holiday cancellation costs (if your dog becomes ill before you leave or while you're away). They also give discounts if you insure more than one dog with them.
We took out the insurance three weeks before we picked Dante up from the breeder (as there was a three week waiting period for all claims).
I'm so glad we did, as Dante broke his leg in an accident not long after we got him. Pet plan paid out the entire amount (almost $3000). They also let us chhose the orthopaedic surgeon who repaired the break.
They've also paid several other bills for incidental vet visits, which has already more than covered the cost of the insurance for the entire year.
Vet bills are expensive and we wanted to make sure Dante was well looked after
Insurance is definitely a good idea. It's also best to get insurance while the dog is still young, so that you don't run into the complication of what they see as 'pre-exisiting conditions'. This can make claiming vet bills more of a problem (a friend went through this with an older dog).
Being in Australia, we went with Pet Plan for insurance. They have three different levels of insurance and we took out the top cover at around $500/year. Their top cover pays up to $18,000 per year for vet bills, and even pays for extras like boarding kennel fees (if you're hospitalised, they pay for your dog to be looked after), reward fees (to be offered to the public if you lose your dog), and even holiday cancellation costs (if your dog becomes ill before you leave or while you're away). They also give discounts if you insure more than one dog with them.
We took out the insurance three weeks before we picked Dante up from the breeder (as there was a three week waiting period for all claims).
I'm so glad we did, as Dante broke his leg in an accident not long after we got him. Pet plan paid out the entire amount (almost $3000). They also let us chhose the orthopaedic surgeon who repaired the break.
They've also paid several other bills for incidental vet visits, which has already more than covered the cost of the insurance for the entire year.
Vet bills are expensive and we wanted to make sure Dante was well looked after
Insurance is definitely a good idea. It's also best to get insurance while the dog is still young, so that you don't run into the complication of what they see as 'pre-exisiting conditions'. This can make claiming vet bills more of a problem (a friend went through this with an older dog).
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