Pet Health Insurance

kjm · 09-28-2004, 01:17 PM

I've been looking into this for a little bit now and I'm not sure what I want to do. I know that AKC has insurance through them, but they are way pricey and I've found a couple more that seem really reasonable.

Does anyone else use health insurance for their pets? Is it worth it?

stardust · 09-28-2004, 03:46 PM

i was thinking about getting it.. . but *I* dont even have health insurance for myself.... so i dont think it would be practical to get it for Rocky.

moonbaby4885 · 09-29-2004, 10:35 AM

Well our animal shelter gives you 2 free months of health insurance though sheltercare.com. We were thinking about getting it full time and for our other animals too. But like stardust said...we don't even have health insurance for ourselves..lol. Did I ever mention that the first time I tried to adopt from the shelter the puppy we picked out died of parvo before we brought her home. Stuff like that is why they give you the free 2 months.

KingdomOfFireflies · 07-10-2005, 11:11 AM

I know this thread has been out of use for about a year, but I too am wondering if anyone new has any experience with dog insurance?

I'm looking at Iam's VPI Insurance for my puppy for the first two months or so, just to cover the really expensive medical needs like spay, vaccinations, ect. Then, after that, I was only going to get her basic coverage for things like freak accidents, illnesses (Havanese are prone to jumping off high places, unfortunately, they don't land so well). Does anyone have pet insurance or have had experience with pet insurance?

Kade · 07-10-2005, 11:44 AM

Winston has VPI, the year-long plan with routine care coverage (which covers some shots, some flea meds, spay, etc. -- I wouldn't have gotten it except that I got two months free if I got routine care coverage, so the spay procedure alone with cover the extra cost). I've heard that there are some companies with less than stellar reputations, but mostly I've heard good things about VPI.

We got it partly because we don't want to ever hesitate to have a procedure done -- although in truth we probably never would. But the biggest reason we got it is that if Winston happens to get hurt when we're not around, we don't want a vet to hesitate to treat him.

Be careful, though, because it doesn't cover congenital illnesses -- I'm sure we'll spend a bundle treating those some day.

KingdomOfFireflies · 07-11-2005, 05:40 AM

Quote:

I've heard that there are some companies with less than stellar reputations, but mostly I've heard good things about VPI.

Oh good, I've heard that from other people; I'm glad you've heard the same.

Quote:

Be careful, though, because it doesn't cover congenital illnesses --

Thanks for telling me that, I probably wouldn't have discovered that on my own!

calgal · 07-11-2005, 10:13 AM

We have looked at a few pet insurance companies and for what they charge and for what they cover was not practical. We figured out if we saved the amount every month that they charge, we could pay for anything that come up, not just a few things they cover that most dogs never have in a life time. Also there are Vets. who will work with you on a payment plan without interest if you ever need it. I think the Pet Insurance Companies are making a fortune, and they pay out very little.

KingdomOfFireflies · 07-11-2005, 11:38 AM

Quote:

I think the Pet Insurance Companies are making a fortune, and they pay out very little.

That does make sense; one woman I talked to had to pay around $400 for her dog's treatment and the insurance company only reimbursed her around $100. But then again, some animals who have a high likelihood of an illness should probably be covered; we didn't have insurance on my Golden and we ended up paying over $2,000 for her cancer treatment (since cancer runs in the Golden lines, we should have seen it coming). Also, the dog I'm getting is pretty expensive (1500) and a bit of a daredevil, so I'm really considering getting a life-insurance policy on her as well as regular insurance.
But it make sense though to not get insurance on some dogs.

Barrett · 07-11-2005, 12:07 PM

My vet sells pet insurance. Every bill I get shows me what my savings would have been if I bought the pet insurance. I'll show you how much I would be saving just for Lucy in the last 7-8 months. (this is just my normal vet, I am not incuding her surgeries)...

What I paid .................................................. would have saved

$266.65 -----------------------------------------------$17.00
$29.95 -------------------------------------------------$2.55
$171.50 ------------------------------------------------$92.32
$32.99 -------------------------------------------------$0.00
$22.66 -------------------------------------------------$1.88
$57.70 -------------------------------------------------$34.09
$51.08 ------------------------------------------------$4.13
$500.07 -----------------------------------------------$98.11
$83.65 ------------------------------------------------$33.08
$224.71-----------------------------------------------$14.36
$248.32 ----------------------------------------------$17.36
$550.98 ----------------------------------------------$0.00
$224.71-----------------------------------------------$17.36
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

$2464.97 .................................................. ............$319.24

I would have had to pay 36 dollars a month for the basic care plan so that would have cost $288.00 so that is a difference of $31.00 so far. I don't see an end to Lucy's vet bills for a while because of her shoulders and elbows. I am sure by the end of a 12 month period I would be in the hole if I paid for the vet insurance.

calgal · 07-11-2005, 12:21 PM

Most pet related illnesses are (I'm sure) contributed to eating dog foods. Maybe it would be cheaper all the the way around (and much more nutritious and safer of course).
http://www.homevet.com/petcare/foodbook.html

Chocolate Lab · 07-11-2005, 08:01 PM

This might sound funny but my job offers pet insurance through united pet care. I am glad we have it because it has save us some money we get about 25% off on all the visits and yearly shots are covered.

Maybe you can find out if you can get their coverage.

Barrett · 07-12-2005, 04:47 PM

My husband and I each put a certain amount into a "VET" bank account every payday. That savings goes towards vet bills for Lucy and Bailey and our two cats and the chinchilla. Sometimes we use the whole amount and sometimes we don't use any of it. It just builds up for when we need it. We have been doing this since Bailey was a puppy and it has allowed us to pay cash for Lucy's surgeries, x-rays, and therapy needs. I never have to worry when something big comes up. I just take out the special debt card and pay with a smile.

Pugdawg1 · 07-12-2005, 04:54 PM

I have a "pug pot". Every pay day, I put between 50-100 bucks into it. It goes up, and it comes down. LOL. I don't have insurance, I hear so many pros, and cons that I don't know what I want. So I feel good knowing I have a "stash of cash", in case of a pricey problem.

09-28-2004, 01:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
kjm Schnauzer Slave Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 533 Rep Power: 91	Pet Health Insurance I've been looking into this for a little bit now and I'm not sure what I want to do. I know that AKC has insurance through them, but they are way pricey and I've found a couple more that seem really reasonable. Does anyone else use health insurance for their pets? Is it worth it?
	__________________ The Schnauzer Squad (just the two of us!): Karli and Boone "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

09-28-2004, 03:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
stardust Join Date: May 2004 Location: wisconsin Posts: 423 Rep Power: 90	i was thinking about getting it.. . but I dont even have health insurance for myself.... so i dont think it would be practical to get it for Rocky.
	__________________ I love my Pomeranian

09-29-2004, 10:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
moonbaby4885 Cute Puppy Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA(South Carolina) Posts: 205 Rep Power: 81	Well our animal shelter gives you 2 free months of health insurance though sheltercare.com. We were thinking about getting it full time and for our other animals too. But like stardust said...we don't even have health insurance for ourselves..lol. Did I ever mention that the first time I tried to adopt from the shelter the puppy we picked out died of parvo before we brought her home. Stuff like that is why they give you the free 2 months.
	__________________

07-10-2005, 11:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
KingdomOfFireflies My Little Piglet Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 46 Rep Power: 0	More Pet Insurance Q's I know this thread has been out of use for about a year, but I too am wondering if anyone new has any experience with dog insurance? I'm looking at Iam's VPI Insurance for my puppy for the first two months or so, just to cover the really expensive medical needs like spay, vaccinations, ect. Then, after that, I was only going to get her basic coverage for things like freak accidents, illnesses (Havanese are prone to jumping off high places, unfortunately, they don't land so well). Does anyone have pet insurance or have had experience with pet insurance?

07-11-2005, 12:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
Barrett dachshund Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 156	My vet sells pet insurance. Every bill I get shows me what my savings would have been if I bought the pet insurance. I'll show you how much I would be saving just for Lucy in the last 7-8 months. (this is just my normal vet, I am not incuding her surgeries)... What I paid .................................................. would have saved $266.65 -----------------------------------------------$17.00 $29.95 -------------------------------------------------$2.55 $171.50 ------------------------------------------------$92.32 $32.99 -------------------------------------------------$0.00 $22.66 -------------------------------------------------$1.88 $57.70 -------------------------------------------------$34.09 $51.08 ------------------------------------------------$4.13 $500.07 -----------------------------------------------$98.11 $83.65 ------------------------------------------------$33.08 $224.71-----------------------------------------------$14.36 $248.32 ----------------------------------------------$17.36 $550.98 ----------------------------------------------$0.00 $224.71-----------------------------------------------$17.36 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- $2464.97 .................................................. ............$319.24 I would have had to pay 36 dollars a month for the basic care plan so that would have cost $288.00 so that is a difference of $31.00 so far. I don't see an end to Lucy's vet bills for a while because of her shoulders and elbows. I am sure by the end of a 12 month period I would be in the hole if I paid for the vet insurance.
	Last edited by Barrett : 07-11-2005 at 12:11 PM.

07-10-2005, 11:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Kade 9 months old?! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 903 Rep Power: 89	Winston has VPI, the year-long plan with routine care coverage (which covers some shots, some flea meds, spay, etc. -- I wouldn't have gotten it except that I got two months free if I got routine care coverage, so the spay procedure alone with cover the extra cost). I've heard that there are some companies with less than stellar reputations, but mostly I've heard good things about VPI. We got it partly because we don't want to ever hesitate to have a procedure done -- although in truth we probably never would. But the biggest reason we got it is that if Winston happens to get hurt when we're not around, we don't want a vet to hesitate to treat him. Be careful, though, because it doesn't cover congenital illnesses -- I'm sure we'll spend a bundle treating those some day.

07-11-2005, 10:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,783 Rep Power: 229	We have looked at a few pet insurance companies and for what they charge and for what they cover was not practical. We figured out if we saved the amount every month that they charge, we could pay for anything that come up, not just a few things they cover that most dogs never have in a life time. Also there are Vets. who will work with you on a payment plan without interest if you ever need it. I think the Pet Insurance Companies are making a fortune, and they pay out very little.

07-11-2005, 12:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,783 Rep Power: 229	Most pet related illnesses are (I'm sure) contributed to eating dog foods. Maybe it would be cheaper all the the way around (and much more nutritious and safer of course). http://www.homevet.com/petcare/foodbook.html

07-11-2005, 08:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
Chocolate Lab Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 110 Rep Power: 0	This might sound funny but my job offers pet insurance through united pet care. I am glad we have it because it has save us some money we get about 25% off on all the visits and yearly shots are covered. Maybe you can find out if you can get their coverage.

07-12-2005, 04:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
Barrett dachshund Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 156	My husband and I each put a certain amount into a "VET" bank account every payday. That savings goes towards vet bills for Lucy and Bailey and our two cats and the chinchilla. Sometimes we use the whole amount and sometimes we don't use any of it. It just builds up for when we need it. We have been doing this since Bailey was a puppy and it has allowed us to pay cash for Lucy's surgeries, x-rays, and therapy needs. I never have to worry when something big comes up. I just take out the special debt card and pay with a smile.

07-12-2005, 04:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
Pugdawg1 Pug Mom Join Date: May 2004 Location: Elko, Nevada Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 135	I have a "pug pot". Every pay day, I put between 50-100 bucks into it. It goes up, and it comes down. LOL. I don't have insurance, I hear so many pros, and cons that I don't know what I want. So I feel good knowing I have a "stash of cash", in case of a pricey problem.
	__________________ www.PugSavers.com

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