<p>Anyone have it for their dog? We have a 7 year old dog and we’d like to purchase it. I believe there are lower cost options for sick care only and higher cost options that include well care. Would love to hear about (1) companies that provide a good product/value/customer service and also (2) views on whether it’s <em>better</em> to get the lower level of coverage or higher (I know this is very subjective). Thanks in advance for helping me figure this out.</p>
<p>I have Trupanion for my dog, and I love it. It’s a simple plan. They cover 90% for anything except hip dysplasia, routine visits, and the initial fee to get in the door. They even paid a fee for animal poison control when I had to pay for a report on something the dog ate. </p>
<p>For me, I feel it’s worth it. I know I would have to go into heavy debt if I have to pay $10,000+ vet bill, which is not unusual for cancer or emergencies. </p>
<p>Pet Plan is another top one, but unlike Trupanion, they raise rates based on age, not just general cost incr see. I feel these are really the too 2. The other ones have too many limitations. Mine doesn’t have a yearly or lifetime limit. Also, they pay 90% of what you actually paid, not what they decide the procedure should cost.</p>
<p>I have PetPlan and have been happy with it. I only have coverage for non-routine problems. They will cover all accidents or illnesses, even if they are hereditary, like hip dysplasia.
What is different about most pet policies compared to what you are used to with people insurance is that the deductible applies to every event. In other words, if you bring your dog in for a hurt leg and as well as something he ate that made him sick, they don’t add these together and apply your deductible, but will look at each problem separately. On the other hand, if you bring him back for the hurt leg, or he has to have repeated treatments for the same problem, the original deductible applies.<br>
If I were you I would use the internet and check some of the different companies and see who has the coverage that suits your situation. I do think it’s worth it, though. My mom’s dog had knee surgery on both knees to the tune of 4 grand, each. She didn’t have insurance, but if she had, it would have been covered 80% after deductible if she had my plan.</p>
<p>collage, have you asked your vet? He/she will know the best options. And, like people doctors, he/she may not accept all insurance, and you want to be sure you’re purchasing something you’ll actually be able to use.</p>
<p>Personally, I’d opt for lower-cost insurance for illness/emergency coverage only. Routine care isn’t a big hit to our finances. It’s that “Can we afford to save his life?” decision that I’d want to avoid.</p>
<p>Incredibly helpful–will check with my vet (uh, why didn’t I think of that?!) as well as the two plans mentioned above. Thank you!</p>
<p>Checking with the vet is great for ideas, but I wouldn’t necessarily go with the one that advertises in your vet’s office. Check out several and compare coverage.
My vet has pamphlets displayed for very large company, VPI, that doesn’t cover hereditary diseases, and I wanted one that will cover anything my dog my encounter.
And vet insurance is not like people insurance companies, in that the vet doesn’t “accept or not accept” insurance companies. The vet is not involved except in providing documentation of your dog’s health status. All transactions are done through the insurance company, and all vets, as long as they are licensed, are accepted by the insurance company. It’s like the old days, where you pay upfront, and then you are reimbursed after you submit your bills.</p>
<p>Thanks moonchild, for that info about how pet insurance works. We’ve never used it, obviously, but this thread has me thinking.</p>
<p>I second doing your own research and not going through a vet.</p>
<p>Also, Trupanion covers hereditary conditions too, as far as I know, just specifically not hip dysplasia.</p>
<p>And here’s a great resource: <a href=“http://www.petinsurancereview.com/[/url]”>http://www.petinsurancereview.com/</a></p>
<p>I had a very bad experience with a large pet insurance company. Not sure if I could list the name here. Anyhow, a couple of years ago, my then 2 year old cat had an urinary tract obstruction. Petowners know this can be fatal to cats. Given that it was after hours, I took my cat to the nearest Animal Hospital ER. They removed the obstruction and kept him a few hours for observation. The vet asked me if I minded picking him up in the middle of night as it would save me a full nights fee. The cat seemed to recuperate quickly enough for it as he was otherwise in good health. I did pick him up at 3 a.m. and the final bill was $1,400. I submitted all my paperwork to the insurance company and they only reimbursed me about $150. Follow-up visits with my regular vet were not covered. They claimed that this was not an emergency. The vet from the ER could not believe it and wrote a letter for me to give to the insurance company explaining why the procedure had to be done in such an urgent matter and how the expense could have been more if I the cat had not recuperated quickly which allowed him to be released early. After many phone calls and letters, they still refused to pay. I cancelled my insurance. Therefore, I would do a lot of research and ask questions about how much is covered. The link above to petinsurancereview looks good. I had picked mine up from a pamphlet in my vet’s waiting room and thought it was reputable enough. I might look into Trupanion as another poster seem to have had good claims experience.</p>
<p>Following up on this issue. Someone brought to my attention that AAA gives discounts on pet insurance. They actually provide discount through Healthy Paws. I then went on the petinsurancereview link provided above and found they had really good reviews going back to 2010. They are fairly new insurance company. I am thinking of giving them a try. I have gone back and forth and almost signed up with PetPlan before I checked with AAA.</p>