What do you guys think of dog health insurance? Good idea, bad idea? Any good companies or bad ones to avoid?
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SF Bay Area
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Mon, April 21, 2008 - 11:48 PMPersonally - I am SO GLAD that I got it. I definitely for getting it.
For me, a dogs health should never be a question of economics - well, within reason of what someone can afford.
I just would not ever want to be in that position.
I have spent nearly $15K on my Boxer and they have paid about $6K of it.
I have VPI insurance on my Boxer and like it... I have Pets Best.com for my pitbull - but haven't used it yet - just got it...it was cheaper....
My Boxer has a double cancer policy and extra coverage & is $47 a month, but worth it...the other one costs me $23 a month. -
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Tue, April 22, 2008 - 8:30 AMI got VPI, becasue when I had my malamute, the other ones didnt cover gentic disorders, like hip displasia, ect. I went with VPI because Sampson, the Malimute, tore his ACL (b4 I had insurance) and they would cover the second one if he made it past one year from the first one. Unfortunalty, he got cancer, they fought me on paying for the vet bill and the euthenasia, because I only had the policy 3 months and they said it would have been present (prexisting). I fought it, I wasnt looking for treatment, just comfort until his time came. It was bone cancer, so there wasnt anything within reason, they could do for him. In the end they paid and now (long story short..to late) I am glad I have it. There is a $50 ded. each time and then they pay about half. so for me it is better than nothing. I havent looked into the vacines, but I think they pay for those too. My hound is one it, but I have put the lil' one on it yet. It runs me $30 a month. -
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Tue, April 22, 2008 - 3:25 PMsounds like it's a smart thing then, my only other question is when did you guys get your pets insured, as in what age? My boy is only 2 years old but I am wondering if gets more difficult to get the coverage when he gets older, for now he is very healthy so I'm sure I can cover his basic expenses. -
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Tue, April 22, 2008 - 3:40 PMI got Sampson's at age 6, but he died shortly after (snif, it still breaks my heart). When I adopted Cooner, I put him on it right away. The longer you wait, the more they can say that was pre-existing and we dont have to cover it. They are just as bad as dealing with human insurances. I would get it while he is young and healthy. On big trip to the vet and it has paid for it self.
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Tue, April 22, 2008 - 10:36 PMHere is my two cents.
Do not wait to get the ins. Get it sooner than later. They will not insure you if has the same cond on record more than two times. That is considered pre-existing condition.
I did not end up getting the health ins as when I first found out about it, Scarlet was about 4 and she had already had chronic bladder infections and she had went to the vets & ER 4 times b/c she had eaten things she shouldnt, and that also is a pre-existing condition.
I made my best friend get it immediately when she got Tank, and she never used it for the first 2 years other than check ups and shots, and was considering cancelling as Tank is fairly healthy. I convinced her not to and sure enough Tank got out of the yard and was almost killed by the neighbors akita. Tank is a mini-weenie. The pet ins covered about 80% and he was in the ER for over a week.
You never know when you will need it, so get it.
Let me tell you when I find my next soul mate, the day I bring them home, I will immediately enroll. -
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Tue, April 22, 2008 - 10:38 PMBTW - Tank is happy and healthy and only bears a small scar from the drainage tubes, he is lucky, but still has the napoleon complex.... -
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Tue, April 22, 2008 - 10:41 PMheh glad to hear Tank is ok, thanks for the info all, i'll get my boy signed up :) -
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 8:27 AMI'm trying to decide which company to go with and which policy is best. I have two dogs...one is 3 and the other is 2. Any suggestions?
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 8:29 AMWe had VPI for a while and decided that it just wasn't covering enough. Everytime we submitted a claim, it came back unpaid. We were just throwing our money away. At least now that we just pay the vet when we need to, we have no doubt that our money is well spent. -
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 8:37 AMI'm kind of thinking the same thing, but unsure. I have VPI on my two dogs and we're paying about $60/month for both. We have had one $500 claim and they gave us $200 back, which is about 3 months worth of premiums that we could have saved up. But then, I'm also thinking about what if something big happens to them that is thousands of dollars? I just don't know what to do, so in the meantime I'm keeping it. -
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 9:10 AMI highly suggest you find out what they cover for animals that are prone to certain problems ie: hip diplaisa. I cant remember which is which, there were only two choices when I signed up, but one would cover predisposioned problems and one would not. So, espsecially if you have name brand dogs and one is most likely going to have hip, knee, or what ever problems, ask about it. Some wont cover it because the breed is known for having that certain problem. Like Ms Purity said, at first it is like, why I am pay out to get so little back, But then you have a $2000 sugery and you are glad you have it. -
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 10:51 AMI agree w/ Snake...and see your point Ms. Purity - but that is the point of insurane, you are basically buying or dissolving risk.
Winston had knee surgery - TPLO - cost $4,000 at the end of it all - VPI paid $2,000 of it. Then with all of his seizures and all of that mess - MRI, Ultrasound, emergency vet visits .....it cost another $4,000, perhaps a little more, I can't remember - VPI paid $1,600 of it.
There's been a plethora of health issues he's had and VPI has paid a good portion of it.
So for my case, it's been well worth it.
I haven't done a claim with them but have Pets Best for Kyra...b/c it was less expensive. Anyone used Pets Best ? -
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Fri, May 2, 2008 - 11:22 AMI decided to go with petfirst. I filled my first claim already, because my boy was throwing up non stop. I'll let you know how fast they are with the claim and how it works out! -
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Re: Dog Health Insurance
Fri, May 2, 2008 - 12:12 PMDo let us know. VPI had a 30 day waiting period before they would pay.
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