Do you have it? If so, do you utilize it? Is it worth the expense to you?
We have had pet insurance for the past 10 years - H and I are at odds over it; I don’t think we need it, he does. It costs $169/mo and the only time (until yesterday) we ever use it is for annual wellness, which carries a $150 co-pay visit and $5k per visit with a $12k annual limit. I think it would be more cost efficient to just pay as we go, DH disagrees.
Last week we took the dog for heart worm check, rabies vaccine and flea meds. $500 later, we’ll be reimbursed $25 from Trifexis manufacturer against a future purchase (for $300 meds), and $50 for the visit because we have a $150 co-pay
Yesterday, the dog injured his back - $490 later - we’ll get nothing back because nothing is covered!!! T
his week, the dog has cost me $1k with a few $ waiting to be reimbursed. I’m so annoyed.
I’ve never had it. We only have cats right now but even when our dog was alive we didn’t see the benefit.
I budget about $500/year per cat, which covers their annual visit and vaccinations plus an occasional visit for my male cat that will get a head wound now and then (vet says there are two types of fighting wounds on cats- those on the head and those elsewhere, depending on whether he’s a runner or a fighter. He’s a fighter). Some years I spend a bit more and some a bit less.
Our dog died four years ago at age 16. She was costing us about $1k/year. When dh retires, we will get one or two dogs. I’ll budget 1-2k per year for those.
Although pets are family, we have our limits above which the pet will not be saved. If the pet needs a $10k surgery, we likely will not move forward. In those cases, maybe the insurance would work out- but it’s sounding like your insurance isn’t covering much anyway.
We have Healthy Paws and it has been well worth it. It is $37/month for a big dog that we got when she was a puppy, more if you start it when they are older. I does not cover well checks and we knew that going in. This is our insurance for when she got sick or hurt. We were thinking it would pay off when she got old and had hip or joint problems etc. It does not cover pre-existing conditions and they ask for a copy of checkup when you get it. Well, about 6 months after we got her she ate something and got very sick. They paid all 80% they were supposed to (minus reasonable deductible). Then a teenager opened our door and she ran out straight into an oncoming car (that didn’t stop). $10,000 later, two surgeries plates it pelvis and front leg, numerous follow up they paid the 80% without blinking! Then this year (she just turned 3) they needed to take one of the plates out. Again they covered everything. Skin problem and ear infection paid for. She wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have it. One claim they paid in 2 days, never more than 10.
Downside you have to come up with the cash up front if the vet won’t wait (ours wouldn’t) but we were able to float it for a few days. I have heard that most of the insurance that covers well pet isn’t worth it because it has too many things it wouldn’t cover. Some say the Banfield one is ok but we don’t trust them.
So sorry you had this experience.
$169 a month? ? I would bank those annual $2k. Over 10 years, this will add up to $20k plus! That should cover neurosurgery - dog forbid your pet would ever need it!
Thanks for the responses.
@BunsenBurner Yes, $169/mo! It’s through AKC. I’m so aggravated.
I seriously think you need to shop around. We got it after the last pet racked up over 3k, uncovered and, sadly, didn’t make it. Yes, you could self-insure, by saving. But now that depends on the age, how long you can project before serious $$$ in med attention could go.
My D got insurance after I nagged and just saved about 4500 on her cat’s emergency. We have Nationwide and pay about $60/mo (lower deductible.) In 3 years, sure, we could have set aside about 2100.
Some employers have an affiliate discount.
I’ve never had, but I almost took an IT job with one of the larger companies a couple of years ago. The job interview was fun - everyone had their pet at the office, and they even brought some into the interview room. And they had a fenced “play” area for little puppies, too. ?
I think the AKC insurance is one of the more expensive. I do not have it but am thinking about it - when I ran the price calculator for a 5 1/2 year old Lab with no preexisting conditions and all the options, it was around $80. We recently had to put our 7 year old Lab to sleep after around $2000 in diagnostics, so I’m inclined to think insurance is worth it. I’m going to check with Nationwide and Healthy Paws.